{"id":373276,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:17","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/indiana-law\/indiana-prostitution-and-solicitation-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-04-04T16:37:10","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T21:37:10","slug":"indiana-prostitution-and-solicitation-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/indiana-law\/indiana-prostitution-and-solicitation-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Indiana Prostitution and Solicitation Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Indiana Prostitution and Solicitation Laws<\/h1>\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

Prostitution and solicitation are illegal in every state but Nevada. Indiana has three primary criminal laws that cover prostitution-related sex crimes<\/a>. These laws make it illegal to engage in sex for money, to pay a sex worker to engage in sexual activities, or to promote prostitution.<\/p>\r\n

Indiana law treats these three crimes separately. But they all involve engaging in sexual conduct or sexual intercourse in exchange for something of value. Generally, Indiana lawmakers break these crimes into prostitution<\/a>, solicitation<\/a> and patronizing a prostitute, and pimping<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

If you’re facing charges of prostitution or solicitation, contact a local lawyer immediately<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Indiana also criminalizes human trafficking<\/a> for prostitution. Anybody who pays to engage in sexual acts with a human trafficking victim will face severe penalties, including life in prison and lifelong registration as a sex offender.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we’ll explain Indiana’s prostitution and solicitation laws, including the penalties and defenses to these crimes.<\/p>\r\n

What Qualifies as Prostitution, Solicitation, and Pimping Under Indiana Law<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Most people know that prostitution is illegal. But not everyone understands that law enforcement can arrest them simply for asking a person if they’re a prostitute<\/a>. Many people are also unclear on how entrapment works. They think the state can’t charge them with prostitution if the police arrest them during a sting operation. This isn’t true.<\/p>\r\n

As stated above, Indiana law recognizes three prostitution offenses: prostitution, solicitation, and pandering (pimping). It’s worth taking a closer look at these laws and offenses.<\/p>\r\n