Nevada Prostitution and Solicitation Laws

Nevada Revised Statutes

• NRS § 201-295 et seq.
• NRS § 201.354 (engaging in prostitution or solicitation)
• NRS § 207.030 (prohibited acts; penalty)
• Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 441A.777 – 441A.815

• Prostitute: a person who engages in sexual conduct in exchange for a fee, monetary consideration, or other thing of value (NRS § 201.295(4))
• Prostitution: Engaging in sexual conduct with another person in return for a fee, money, or something else of value (NRS § 201.295(5))
• Sex worker: a prostitute employed by (or has a contract to work in) a licensed house of prostitution (NAC 441A.777)
• Sexual conduct: Sexual intercourse, oral-genital contact, or any touching of the sexual organs (or another intimate part) to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of either party (NRS § 201.295(6))
• Solicitation of prostitution: Offering or agreeing to engage in prostitution

Someone who engages in prostitution, or the solicitation of prostitution, anywhere in the state of Nevada except in a licensed house of prostitution is guilty of a misdemeanor. (NRS § 201.353)

It is unlawful for a customer to engage in prostitution or solicitation except in a licensed house of prostitution. (NRS 201.354)

• First offense: Misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in a county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000 (NRS §§ 201.354(4)(a); 193.150)
• Second or subsequent offense: Gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in a county jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000 (NRS §§ 201.354(4)(b)-(c); 193.140)
• In addition, a customer convicted of engaging in prostitution or solicitation must pay a $200 civil penalty to the district attorney or city attorney in the jurisdiction where the violation occurred. (NRS §§ 201.354(5))

If someone violated NRS § 201.354 and the victim was a child:

• First offense: Category D felony, punishable by between one to four years in state prison and a fine of up to $5,000 (NRS §§ 201.354(6)(a); 193.130(2)(d))
• Second offense: Category C felony, punishable by between one to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000 (NRS §§ 201.354(6)(b); 193.130(2)(c))
• Third or subsequent offense: Category B felony, punishable by at least one year in state prison (up to six years) and a fine of up to $15,000. (NRS §§ 201.354(6)(c); 193.130(2)(b))

It is unlawful to offer, agree to engage, or engage in lewd, dissolute conduct in a public place. It is also unlawful to offer, agree to, engage in, or aid and abet any act of prostitution. Furthermore, it is illegal to be a pimp, panderer, or live in or about unauthorized houses of prostitution. (NRS § 207.030). If convicted, the following penalties apply:

• First offense: Misdemeanor (NRS § 207.030(2)(a))
• Second offense (within three years of first): Between 30 days and six months in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000 (NRS § 207.030(2)(b))
• Third or subsequent offense (within three years of the first): At least six months in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000 (NRS § 207.030(2)(c))

Anyone who, without physical force or the threat of immediate threat of physical force, induces someone to do the following is guilty of pandering:

• Become a prostitute unlawfully
• Continue to engage in prostitution
• Enter into a place within Nevada in which prostitution is practiced, encouraged, or allowed for the purpose of sexual conduct or prostitution

Pandering is a Category C felony. (NRS § 201.300(1))

Any person who trafficks (i.e., induces, causes, recruits, harbors, transports, provides, obtains, or maintains) a person for sexual conduct or prostitution is guilty of sex trafficking. (NRS 201.300(2)(a)(1))

• If the victim is an adult: Category B felony, with between three years to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000 (NRS § 201.300(2)(b)(1))
• If the victim is a child less than 14 years old: Category A felony, with up to life imprisonment and a fine of up to $20,000 (NRS § 201.300(2)(b)(2)(i))
• If the victim is a child aged 14 or 15: Category A felony, with up to life imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000 (NRS § 201.300(2)(b)(2)(ii))
• If the victim is a child 16 years or older: Category A felony, with up to life imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000 (NRS § 201.300(2)(b)(2)(iii))

A person who facilitates, arranges, provides, or pays for the transportation of a person within Nevada with the intent that they engage in unlawful prostitution is guilty of facilitating sex trafficking, a Category B felony. (NRS § 201.301(1)(a)-(c))

• If the victim is 18 years or older: Between one to six years in state prison (NRS § 201.301(2)(a))
• If the victim is under 18 years old: Between three years to 10 years in state prison (NRS § 201.301(2)(b))