New Hampshire Prostitution and Solicitation Laws
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016
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In New Hampshire, both prostitution and the solicitation of prostitution are illegal. In other words, it is illegal to offer, agree to, or engage in sexual contact for compensation. The table below outlines New Hampshire's law that criminalizes prostitution, the facilitation of prostitution, and the solicitation of prostitution.
Code Section |
New Hampshire Revised Statutes section 645:2: Prostitution and Related Offenses |
What's Prohibited? |
Engaging in Prostitution
Facilitating Prostitution
Solicitation
|
Definition of Sexual Contact |
Sexual contact means the intentional touching (whether directly, through clothing, or otherwise) of the victim's or actor's sexual intimate parts (including emissions, tongue, anus, breasts, and buttocks). Sexual contact only includes contact that can be reasonably construed as conducted for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification. |
Definition of Sexual Penetration
|
Sexual penetration means:
|
Affirmative Defense |
It is an affirmative defense to a charge of prostitution that the defendant engaged in the conduct because he or she was the victim of human trafficking. |
Penalties |
Prostitution and the related offenses listed above are generally misdemeanor offenses. However, these crimes are class B felonies if the violation involves another person who is less than 18 years old, or involves compelling another person by force or intimidation. |
Additional Resources
State laws change frequently. For case specific information regarding New Hampshire's prostitution and solicitation laws contact a local sex crime lawyer.
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