Prostitution and Solicitation are classified as sex crimes in Las Vegas. In this article, we will try and understand our Las Vegas prostitution laws. Let us begin with:
Definition
Prostitution or hooking is the act of trading sexual favors for a fee. It doesn’t even need to involve penetration or cash to be considered prostitution.
Solicitation is the offering or agreement to engage in prostitution, or attempt to prostitute. Even if the exchange does not take place, the act itself is considered illegal as prostitution itself.
John is the alleged customer wanting to avail of the services of a prostitute.
Prostitution is legal in Nevada, but not in Las Vegas
Nevada is the only American state that allows legal prostitution, but only within regulated brothels. Prostitution outside these licensed brothels is illegal.
These brothels are mainly found in isolated rural areas. Counties with denser populations outlaw prostitution; this includes Las Vegas.
Loitering
A related prostitution and solicitation misdemeanor is loitering. It is the act of remaining or wandering around in a public place to offer their sexual services.
Penalties for Prostitution and Solicitation
Both are misdemeanors punishable for up to six months in jail, as well as a $1,000 fine, but it will differ according to other factors.
First offense
If this the customer or “john’s” first prostitution offense, they are usually ordered to take a $450 prostitution education program as their sentence. There’s no similar program for prostitutes in Las Vegas.
Prostitution with an HIV
Prostitution is a category B felony if the person is infected with HIV. Prison sentence is two to ten years in a State Prison as well as a $10,000 fine.
Child Prostitution
If prostitution allegedly involves a child, the misdemeanor is turned into a category E felony. The penalty is now one to four years in State prison and receive a $5,000 fine.
Ross is here to help
Fight your prostitution or solicitation charges with help from a criminal defense attorney. While these charges are not felonies, they can still be expensive!
References:
- http://www.sexworkersproject.org/
- http://www.swopusa.org/
- http://www.bayswan.org/NTFP.html
- http://prostitution.procon.org/view.background-resource.php?resourceID=749