Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw’s team of legal writers and attorneys and in accordance with our editorial standards.
The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors. 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.
In North Carolina, prostitution and solicitation are illegal. North Carolina's prostitution laws prohibit several different activites, including: engaging in sexual acts for payment or services, seeking or actually engaging in sexual acts with a prostitute for money (solicitation), abetting, pimping, or pandering, and promoting or participating in child prostitution.
The following table highlights the main provisions of North Carolina's prostitution and solicitation laws.
See also Pimping and Pandering Laws.
| Code Section | North Carolina General Statutes § 14-203 et seq. (PDF) Prostitution: § 14-204 Solicitation: § 14-205.1 Pimping/Pandering: § 14-205.3 Child Prostitution: § 14-190.13 |
| What is Prohibited | Prostitution: Engaging in sexual activity for money or payment Solicitation: Seeking and/or engaging in sexual services for hire. Pimping/Pandering: Compelling a person to become a prostitute, receiving a portion of the earnings from a prostitute for arranging or offering to arrange sexual services. Keeping a Place of Prostitution: Knowingly granting or permitting the use of a place for the purpose of prostitution. Child Prostitution: Encouraging, forcing, supervising, or supporting the prostitution of a minor. |
| Penalties | Prostitution: Class 1 Misdemeanor, penalties depend on the nature of the act and prior criminal history, including jail, fine, community service, probation, sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing, and more. Solicitation: Class 1 misdemeanor for a first offense. Higher penalties for second and subsequent offenses and/or soliciting a minor for sexual activity. Punishment under this section may include participation in a program devised for the education and prevention of sexual exploitation (if.e. "John School"), where available. Pimping/Pandering/Keeping House of Prostitution: Felony; punishment depends on the nature of the act and prior criminal history. Child Prostitution: Felony; punishment depends on the nature of the act and prior criminal history including being required to register under North Carolina's sex offender registry . |
| Who Can Be Prosecuted | The prostitute, the customer (or "John"), the pimp, and anyone running a house of prostitution |
| What is Considered Payment? | Money, gifts, favors, and other compensation |
What is the Definition of a "Minor" |
Any person who is less than 18 years of age |
| Immunity from Prosecution | Minors cannot be prosecuted for prostitution. Instead, they are taken into protective custody. |
Because prostitution laws can sometimes get complicated, it may also be a good idea to consult an experienced criminal defense attorney if you have questions about your specific situation.
Contact a qualified attorney.
Get tailored legal advice and ask a lawyer questions. Many attorneys offer free consultations.