{"id":372208,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:47","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/criminal-laws\/prostitution.html"},"modified":"2024-12-20T18:05:14","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T23:05:14","slug":"prostitution","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/criminal-laws\/prostitution.html","title":{"rendered":"State Prostitution Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n State Prostitution Laws\n <\/h1>\n \n Learn about your state’s laws by using the links below.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Many Americans believe that prostitution is a victimless crime. Some don\u2019t believe that law enforcement has any business arresting people for pandering<\/a>, prostitution, and other related sex crimes. They just don\u2019t think the courts should treat people who offer sexual services for a fee the same way they treat hard criminals.<\/p>\r\n

Like it or not, prostitution and solicitation for prostitution are illegal in America. There are state and federal laws<\/a> banning prostitution, and most state penal codes have specific statutes dealing with this crime.<\/p>\r\n

Nevada is the only state with legal prostitution. Here, you\u2019ll find legal brothels and other houses of prostitution. But even in the State of Nevada<\/a>, in places like Las Vegas, there are laws regulating sex work.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we\u2019ll briefly discuss how the state laws define prostitution and provide links to articles detailing the criminal laws in the U.S. dealing with prostitution, pimping<\/a>, and related sex crimes.<\/p>\r\n

State Prostitution Laws at a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

If you\u2019re facing charges for prostitution, lewd and lascivious behavior, or unlawful sexual conduct<\/a>, you should familiarize yourself with your state laws. You should know what kind of penalties a conviction of prostitution carries and what possible defenses are available to you.<\/p>\r\n

Click on the state whose prostitution laws you want to learn about. You\u2019ll find FindLaw articles dedicated to the act of prostitution and how the state handles this sexual offense and related offenses such as human trafficking, solicitation of prostitution<\/a>, and managing a brothel.<\/p>\r\n

If you’re accused of these crimes make sure you have a lawyer<\/a> to represent you and work toward the best possible outcome. <\/p>\r\n

These articles will break down the state statutes and describe the penalties for prostitution offenses, sex trafficking<\/a>, and patronizing a sex worker.<\/p>\r\n\n

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