{"id":376487,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:48","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-prostitution-and-solicitation-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-05-23T10:57:32","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T15:57:32","slug":"tennessee-prostitution-and-solicitation-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/tennessee-law\/tennessee-prostitution-and-solicitation-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Tennessee Prostitution and Solicitation Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tennessee 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 Tennessee, as is pimping or promoting prostitution. If a law enforcement officer sees you doing any of the above, they\u2019ll arrest you and file criminal charges.<\/p>\r\n

If this happens, you\u2019ll face harsh penalties, and future employers will see a sex crime conviction on your criminal record. If you find yourself under arrest, it’s a good idea to seek legal advice<\/a> as soon as possible in your prostitution case.<\/p>\r\n

You should also familiarize yourself with Tennessee\u2019s laws regarding these sex crimes. This article examines statutes and explains the relevant penalties.<\/p>\r\n

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

Most prostitution charges involve a misdemeanor charge. However, pimping carries a felony charge. Tennessee law also calls for enhanced penalties for prostitution crimes that occur within 100 feet of a church or 1.5 miles of a school for K-12 children.<\/p>\r\n

The main provisions of Tennessee’s prostitution and solicitation<\/a> laws are in the table below.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Tennessee Prostitution and Solicitation Code Sections<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Tennessee Code<\/b><\/p>\r\n

What Is Prohibited?<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Tennessee prohibits the following activities:<\/p>\r\n

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  • Prostitution<\/b> – This crime involves performing sex acts in exchange for something of value. You can be guilty of prostitution for offering to have sex for money.
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    • Aggravated Prostitution<\/b> – If you commit any of the above sex crimes knowing that you have HIV\/AIDS, the state will charge you with aggravated prostitution. Under Tennessee law, the fact that you have one of these illnesses is an aggravating circumstance.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n
    • Patronizing Prostitution<\/b> – This criminal offense involves hiring someone to have sex with you for money. This includes going to a brothel or house of prostitution for sexual activity.<\/li>\r\n
    • Promoting Prostitution<\/b> – It is a felony offense in Tennessee when a person does any of the following:
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      • Owns, manages, or supervises a prostitution business<\/li>\r\n
      • Seeks out and hires people to work at a brothel or house of prostitution<\/li>\r\n
      • Encouraging a person to perform sex acts as a prostitute<\/li>\r\n
      • Soliciting a person to patronize a prostitute<\/li>\r\n
      • Finding a prostitute for a customer (\u201cjohn\u201d)<\/li>\r\n
      • Soliciting or receiving any benefit for any of the above activities<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Penalties for Prostitution\/Solicitation Crimes in Tennessee<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

The penalties for prostitution and solicitation will vary depending on the facts of the case<\/a>. They include:<\/p>\r\n

Criminal Penalties<\/u><\/p>\r\n

Possible Defenses to Prostitution Charges in Tennessee<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Tennessee law offers several possible defenses to prostitution, solicitation, patronizing, and promoting prostitution. These include:<\/p>\r\n