Missouri Prostitution and Solicitation Laws

Prostitution, solicitation, and other related crimes are illegal in Missouri. Prostitution, whether it involves streetwalking, high-class escorts, or brothels full of trafficking victims, is illegal everywhere but in Nevada. So is patronizing a prostitute, also known as solicitation.

In Missouri, promoting prostitution, pimping, and patronizing prostitution are illegal. These crimes carry higher penalties than the act of prostitution. Pimping or promotion charges are all felonies as opposed to misdemeanor prostitution charges.

Here, we'll explain Missouri's prostitution laws and the penalties for these sex crimes. If you're facing prostitution or solicitation charges, you should consult an experienced Missouri criminal defense lawyer immediately.

Missouri Prostitution and Solicitation Laws: Statutes

The following table highlights the main provisions of Missouri's prostitution-related laws, along with the penalties for the crime of prostitution.

Code sections

Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 567

What is prohibited?

It’s a crime in Missouri to engage in any of the following activities:

  • Prostitution — Engaging in or offering to engage in sexual conduct for money or another item of value
  • Patronizing a prostitute — Buying, agreeing to buy, or requesting sexual acts from a prostitute or their pimp
  • Promoting prostitution in the first degree — Forcing someone to engage in prostitution (sex work) by use of force or drugs or withholding drugs from a drug-dependent person. This crime also includes promoting the prostitution of a child under 16
  • Promoting prostitution in the second degree — Knowingly owning or managing property for people to use in prostitution-related activity.
  • Promoting prostitution in the third degree — This crime involves a person knowingly helping someone to engage in the act of prostitution, soliciting prostitution, providing people or a place for prostitution, operating a brothel, or other conduct to help commit a prostitution-related offense.
  • Promoting sex tourism — Selling, advertising, or promoting travel packages for engaging in commercial sex acts.
Penalty levels

Penalties vary depending on the defendant's conduct, the criminal charges, and prior convictions:

Class B felony

  • Performing an act of prostitution with the knowledge that you’re HIV positive
  • Promoting prostitution in the first degree

Class C felony

  • Promoting prostitution in the second degree
  • Promoting sex tourism

Class D felony

  • Patronizing a prostitute who's 14 or younger (also subject to statutory rape or sodomy laws)
  • Promoting prostitution in the third degree

Class A misdemeanor

  • Patronizing a prostitute who's 15 to 17 years old

Class B misdemeanor

  • Performing an act of prostitution (except above)
  • Patronizing an adult prostitute
Penalties

Punishments for felonies and misdemeanors in Missouri vary by class. The penalty ranges by offense class are:

  • Class B felony — Imprisonment for five to 15 years
  • Class C felony — Up to seven years imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000
  • Class D felony — Imprisonment for four years or less and a fine of up to $5,000
  • Class A misdemeanor — Jail time for up to one year and up to a $1,000 fine
  • Class B misdemeanor — Up to six months in jail and a $500 fine

More penalties for offering travel for prostitution purposes include revocation of the articles of incorporation of the travel agency or charter tour operator and freezing of the company’s bank accounts.

Note: State laws are constantly changing. It's essential to verify the state laws you are researching.

A Missouri Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help

Dealing with any criminal charge is often a trying experience. If you find yourself facing any prostitution-related charges, you should contact an experienced Missouri criminal defense attorney or public defender for help.

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