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Prostitution laws criminalize offering, agreeing to, or engaging in sexual acts for compensation. Each state individually defines which specific sexual acts qualify as acts of prostitution. The following chart highlights Arkansas' prostitution law.
Code Section |
Arkansas Code section 5-70-102: Prostitution |
What's Prohibited? |
Prostitution:
|
Definition of "Sexual Activity" |
Sexual activity is any form of sexual intercourse, deviate sexual activity, or sexual contact. |
Penalties |
First offense: Class B misdemeanor. Second (or subsequent) offense: Class A misdemeanor. |
Defenses |
It is an affirmative defense that the person engaged in prostitution as a result of being a victim of human trafficking. |
Not only is it a crime to perform sexual acts in exchange for compensation, but it is also a crime to solicit prostitution. In Arkansas it is a crime to pay (or offer to pay) someone to engage in sexual acts with you (or with someone else). The table below outline's Arkansas' sexual solicitation law.
Code Section |
Arkansas Code section 5-70-103: Sexual Solicitation |
What's Prohibited? |
|
Definition of "Sexual Activity" |
Sexual activity is any form of sexual intercourse, deviate sexual activity, or sexual contact. |
Penalties |
First offense: Class B misdemeanor. Second offense: Class A misdemeanor. Offenders convicted of soliciting prostitution in Arkansas are also fined $250. |
Defenses |
It is an affirmative defense that the person engaged in an act of sexual solicitation as a result of being a victim of human trafficking. |
Under Arkansas' prostitution laws it is also a crime to promote prostitution by forcing someone to engage in prostitution, operating a house of prostitution, or in some other way advancing prostitution.
Code Section |
Arkansas Code section 5-70-104 to 5-70-106: Promoting Prostitution |
What's Prohibited? |
First-degree promoting prostitution:
Second-degree promoting prostitution:
Third-degree promoting prostitution:
|
Penalties |
First-degree: Class D felony. Second-degree: Class A misdemeanor. Third-degree: Class B misdemeanor. |
State laws change frequently. For case specific information about Arkansas' prostitution and solicitation laws contact a local criminal defense attorney.
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