As most people know, prostitution is legal throughout in Nevada. What is not commonly known is that prostitution is not legal in Nevada’s two largest counties, Clark (Las Vegas) and Washoe (Reno). Moreover, throughout the rest of Nevada, prostitution is heavily regulated. Convictions for violations of the prostitution laws are severe and include jail time and harsh fines.
Contact Lipp Law today for a free consultation to discuss your case and your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prostitution and Solicitation are governed by NRS 201.295, 201.354, 201.356, and 201.358. Click here to view the full NRS text.
To simplify, it is unlawful for any person to engage in prostitution or solicitation therefor, except in a licensed house of prostitution.
Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, a person who violates this law is guilty of a misdemeanor.
A person who violates this law by soliciting a child for prostitution is guilt of a class E, D, or C felony.
It is, sort of. However, it is only legal in licensed brothels in the less populated counties in the state (in other words, every county except Clark County – which is where Las Vegas is located – and Washoe County – which is where Reno is located).
Because the legal definition of prostitution is far broader than just the exchange of money for sexual intercourse. Moreover, the solicitation, both of and by a prostitute, as well as living off the earnings of a prostitute, are all crimes associated with prostitution.
Prostitution means far more than just sexual intercourse. It also means more than anal or oral sex for money.
Prostitution is the exchange of something of value for a sexual touching of any kind.
This means that cash does not have to be involved in order to be convicted of prostitution. The exchange of anything that holds some sort of value can constitute “payment” in the context of prostitution. The definition is left broad, as are most criminal statutes, so that prosecutors have the discretion to charge someone in a wide variety of situations based on the specific situations.
Similarly, the definition of “sexual conduct” is extremely broad, allowing prosecutors to charge someone whenever there is conduct that is sexually gratifying to at least one of the people involved. That means that groping, fondling, and even light touching can be construed as “sexual conduct” with regard to prostitution. Again, the definition is intentionally broad so that prosecutors have the ability to choose whether to charge someone based on the entirety of the circumstances.
Solicitation is a much easier term to define and understand. Essentially, it is the offering or agreeing to engage in prostitution. For lack of a better term, it is the attempt to engage in prostitution.
Please Note: Even though solicitation is an attempted crime, intent to commit the underlying crime is not an element. In other words, it does not matter if you intended to engage in prostitution, the crime of solicitation is complete as soon as the act of offering or agreeing to engage in prostitution is completed.
Because the crime of solicitation is committed upon completion of the offer or acceptance, the manner of communication is important. The statute is intentionally vague about what constitutes an “offer” or an “acceptance” to trade sexual favors for payment. Consequently, any euphemism or alternate way of wording the actions can still be charged as solicitation. For example, referring to someone as an “escort” does not make them any less liable to solicitation charges. Nor does referring to the possibility of prostitution as “partying.” In other words, the specific language does not matter, so long as it is clear that there is an offer and/or acceptance of trading payment for sexual favors of some kind.
There are essentially three ways that prostitution and solicitation can be caught by law enforcement and charged:
Please Note: If you are convicted of prostitution, then the state will also require that you submit to an HIV test.
It can be. Undercover operations, particularly those dealing with prostitution, must be very careful not to cross the line into entrapment. However, as long as the officer can show that the arrested party would have attempted to solicit prostitution even if the officer were not present, then there was no entrapment. Put another way, entrapment occurs when the accused person would not have attempted to solicit someone without the actions of the officer.
What you need to know
If a minor is involved in the solicitation, the prosecutor may also charge more serious crimes such as “statutory sexual seduction,” “lewdness with a minor,” or “sex trafficking” and may require registration on the sex offender registry.
Convictions for prostitution and solicitation carry identical possible sentences. Both are misdemeanors in Nevada, which carry possible penalties of:
If the person being solicited is under 18, then a first conviction can be charged as a category E felony and carry a possible penalty of:
If the solicitation is of a minor, and the conviction is a second offense, then the charge will be a category D felony, carrying with it:
For any subsequent conviction for solicitation of a minor, the charge will be a category C felony, will be unavailable for probation or suspended sentence, and will carry:
Yes. Prostitution and Solicitation are complex crimes. The specific circumstances of each individual charge will change how it is handled. For example:
If such a plea deal is agreed upon, then after completing your requirements, the charges against you can be:
Having the charges altered to trespassing or disorderly conduct is generally preferred because they do not carry the negative stigma of prostitution and solicitation.
We at LippLaw are dedicated to giving you the best defense for your case.
Are there any defenses?
Yes, of course there are. The most common defenses include:
As noted above, many undercover sting operations cross the line and “entrap” the accused. Entrapment occurs when the illegal activity can be directly attributed to the conduct of the arresting officer. In other words, the accused criminal would not have engaged in the criminal conduct without the actions of the officer. Some common forms of entrapment in regards to prostitution and solicitation include:
As noted above, the statutes relating to prostitution and solicitation are extremely vague, allowing prosecutors to charge people depending on the circumstances. Considering the possibility of undercover operations and the secrecy that surrounds the propositioning and solicitation of prostitution, it is not surprising that prostitutes will attempt to use codes and euphemisms for their activities. As a result, it is possible that someone accused of solicitation was not intending to agree to solicitation or prostitution. This is not the same as not intending to engage in prostitution. If one party reasonably thinks they are agreeing to a legal act (for example a massage), while the other believes they are agreeing to a sexual act, then the person agreeing to the legal act has not committed solicitation. The defense of mistake will get the charges dropped or dismissed in any situation where the charges stemmed from an innocent mistake.
The laws against prostitution and solicitation require that the crimes be “overt”. In other words, if there was no “overt” agreement to exchange payment for sexual favors, then there has been no prostitution or solicitation. The “Lack of Overtness” defense, is similar to the defense of mistake and relies on the vagueness of the supposed “offer” or “acceptance”. In other words, if it is unclear whether the offer or acceptance included the exchange of payment, then there has been no “overt” solicitation or prostitution and the charges against you should be dropped or dismissed.
As with any crime, it is very important that you speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible so that you can discuss the specific circumstances as well as any defenses that may apply to your case. Contact Lipp Law today.
THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL REFERENCE PURPOSES AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS A GUIDE TO YOUR SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES.
Laws as defined by the NRS and explanations
Prostitution and Solicitation Laws
As used in NRS 201.295 to 201.440, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. It is unlawful for a prostitute to engage in prostitution or solicitation therefor, except in a licensed house of prostitution.
2. A person who violates subsection 1 is guilty of a misdemeanor.
3. A peace officer who:
(a) Detains but does not arrest or issue a citation to a person for a violation of subsection 1 shall, before releasing the person, provide information regarding and opportunities for connecting with social service agencies that may provide assistance to the person. The Department of Health and Human Services shall assist law enforcement agencies in providing information regarding and opportunities for connecting with such social service agencies pursuant to this paragraph.
(b) Arrests or issues a citation to a person for a violation of subsection 1 shall, before the person is released from custody or cited:
(1) Inform the person that he or she may be eligible for assignment to a preprosecution diversion program established pursuant to NRS 174.032; and
(2) Provide the information regarding and opportunities for connecting with social service agencies described in paragraph (a).
4. If, at any time before the trial of a person charged with a violation of subsection 1, the prosecuting attorney has reason to believe that the person is a victim of sex trafficking, the prosecuting attorney shall dismiss the charge. As used in this subsection, “sex trafficking” means a violation of subsection 2 of NRS 201.300.
1. It is unlawful for a customer to engage in prostitution or solicitation therefor, except in a licensed house of prostitution.
2. Any person who violates subsection 1 by soliciting for prostitution:
(a) A child;
(b) A peace officer who is posing as a child; or
(c) A person who is assisting in an investigation on behalf of a peace officer by posing as a child,
> is guilty of soliciting a child for prostitution.
3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, a person who violates this section:
(a) For a first offense, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.150, and by a fine of not less than $400.
(b) For a second offense, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.140, and by a fine of not less than $800.
(c) For a third or subsequent offense, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.140, and by a fine of not less than $1,300.
4. In addition to any other penalty imposed, the court shall order a person who violates subsection 3 to pay a civil penalty of not less than $200 per offense. The civil penalty must be paid to the district attorney or city attorney of the jurisdiction in which the violation occurred. If the civil penalty imposed pursuant to this subsection:
(a) Is not within the person’s present ability to pay, in lieu of paying the penalty, the court may allow the person to perform community service for a reasonable number of hours, the value of which would be commensurate with the civil penalty.
(b) Is not entirely within the person’s present ability to pay, in lieu of paying the entire civil penalty, the court may allow the person to perform community service for a reasonable number of hours, the value of which would be commensurate with the amount of the reduction of the civil penalty.
5. A person who violates this section by soliciting a child for prostitution:
(a) For a first offense, is guilty of a category D felony and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.130, and by a fine of not more than $5,000.
(b) For a second offense, is guilty of a category C felony and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.130.
(c) For a third or subsequent offense, is guilty of a category B felony and shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than 1 year and maximum term of not more than 6 years, and may be further punished by a fine of not more than $15,000. The court shall not grant probation to or suspend the sentence of a person punished pursuant to this paragraph.
6. Any civil penalty collected by a district attorney or city attorney pursuant to subsection 4 must be deposited in the county or city treasury, as applicable, to be used for:
(a) The enforcement of this section; and
(b) Programs of treatment for persons who solicit prostitution which are certified by the Division of Public and Behavioral Health of the Department of Health and Human Services.
> Not less than 50 percent of the money deposited in the county or city treasury, as applicable, pursuant to this subsection must be used for the enforcement of this section.
7. If a person who violates subsection 1 is ordered pursuant to NRS 4.373 or 5.055 to participate in a program for the treatment of persons who solicit prostitution, upon fulfillment of the terms and conditions of the program, the court may discharge the person and dismiss the proceedings against the person. If the court discharges the person and dismisses the proceedings against the person, a nonpublic record of the discharge and dismissal must be transmitted to and retained by the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety solely for the use of the courts in determining whether, in later proceedings, the person qualifies under this section for participation in a program of treatment for persons who solicit prostitution. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, discharge and dismissal under this subsection is without adjudication of guilt and is not a conviction for purposes of employment, civil rights or any statute or regulation or license or questionnaire or for any other public or private purpose, but is a conviction for the purpose of additional penalties imposed for a second or subsequent conviction or the setting of bail. Discharge and dismissal restores the person discharged, in the contemplation of the law, to the status occupied before the proceedings. The person may not be held thereafter under any law to be guilty of perjury or otherwise giving a false statement by reason of failure to recite or acknowledge the proceedings in response to an inquiry made of the person for any purpose. Discharge and dismissal under this subsection may occur only once with respect to any person. A professional licensing board may consider a proceeding under this subsection in determining suitability for a license or liability to discipline for misconduct. Such a board is entitled for those purposes to a truthful answer from the applicant or licensee concerning any such proceeding with respect to the applicant or licensee.
8. Except as limited by subsection 9, if a person is discharged and the proceedings against the person are dismissed pursuant to subsection 7, the court shall, without a hearing, order sealed all documents, papers and exhibits in that person’s record, minute book entries and entries on dockets, and other documents relating to the case in the custody of such other agencies and officers as are named in the court’s order. The court shall cause a copy of the order to be sent to each agency or officer named in the order. Each such agency or officer shall notify the court in writing of its compliance with the order.
9. A professional licensing board is entitled, for the purpose of determining suitability for a license or liability to discipline for misconduct, to inspect and to copy from a record sealed pursuant to this section.
We have been providing expert legal advice to clients across the state and worldwide for more than 15 years.
2580 Sorrel Street
Las Vegas, Nevada 89146
(702) 745-4700 - Telephone
(702) 745-4511 - Fax
(833) 260-5159 - 24/7 Text
info@LippLaw.vegas