Last Updated on: 1st August 2023, 05:30 am

Know the consequences of soliciting prostitution in Nevada

What is the legal definition of prostitution in Nevada?

Prostitution in Nevada is defined as trading sexual acts for something valuable, usually money. Even if the act does not occur or if no money changes hands, soliciting prostitution, which is offering or agreeing to trade sex for money, is punished in the same way as prostitution.

What is the penalty for being a “John”?

The penalties for hiring a prostitute in Nevada increase with each subsequent offense. For a first-time offense, a person can face up to six months in jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines, along with an additional $600 in fines. Any following offenses are considered gross misdemeanors and may result in up to 364 days in jail and/or up to $2,000 in fines. A second offense carries an additional $1,000 in fines, and a third offense carries an additional $1,500 in fines. Community service can sometimes be done instead of paying fines, with one hour of service equaling $10 of fines.

What if the customer solicits a minor?

Soliciting a child under 18 years old for prostitution is a felony in Nevada. The sentence increases with each successive punishment. A first offense is a Category D felony, carrying 1 to 4 years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines. For a second offense, it is a Category C felony with 1 to 5 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. A third or subsequent offense is a Category B felony, carrying 1 to 6 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines.

Can the charge be dismissed?

Las Vegas prosecutors may dismiss a first-time solicitation charge if the defendant pays the fines, attends an AIDS Awareness class (“John School”), and avoids further arrests while the case is open. This dismissal may allow the defendant to petition for a record seal immediately, meaning the case will not show up on future background checks.

Legal Prostitution in Nevada: What You Need to Know

Where Prostitution is Legal in Nevada

Nevada is the only state in the US that allows regulated, licensed brothel prostitution. However, it is only permitted in ten rural counties with populations under 700,000. These counties include Churchill, Elko, Esmeralda, Humbolt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Storey, and White Pine. Any act of prostitution outside of these legal brothels is illegal.
Sex workers employed by licensed brothels must be adults, have work cards, get paid fair wages, work of their own free will, and regularly test for sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis and HIV. Streetwalking, escort services, and “happy ending” massage parlors are illegal forms of prostitution.

Penalties for Prostitution in Nevada

A first offense of prostitution or soliciting prostitution is typically charged as a misdemeanor, with a maximum sentence of 6 months in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000. However, courts often impose just a fine, probation, and an AIDS awareness class with no actual jail time.

Prostitution in Nevada’s Major Cities

Prostitution is illegal throughout Clark County, which contains Las Vegas, and Washoe County, which contains Reno. Douglas, Eureka, Lincoln, and Pershing counties also prohibit prostitution. State law prohibits any county with a population of at least 700,000 people from allowing prostitution.

History of Brothels in Nevada

Currently, about 21 brothels operate throughout seven rural Nevada counties. At one time, there were 35 operating brothels in Nevada. The nearest legal brothels to Las Vegas are located in Pahrump, Nye County. State law now allows licensed brothels to employ male sex workers as well as females, but this is rare.
In Nevada, regulated prostitution is not just legal but a regulated industry, with strict guidelines to ensure the safety and health of all involved. While the industry is often shrouded in secrecy and misconceptions, it remains a unique aspect of Nevada culture that is unlikely to change anytime soon.

Prostitution in Nevada: The Truth You Need to Know

Don’t Be Misled by the “Anything Goes” Reputation

Nevada is known for many things, but perhaps none more than its reputation as a state where “anything goes.” While it’s true that prostitution is legal in certain parts of the state, it is not legal everywhere. In fact, the penalties for engaging in any prostitution-related activity in an area where it is illegal are severe.

The Consequences of Breaking the Law

Whether you’re a customer, pimp, or prostitute, you can be punished under Nevada’s solicitation law, NRS 201.354, even if no sex act ever takes place. This means that the consequences of getting caught can be dire, and you should seek the help of a Las Vegas defense lawyer right away if you are arrested for soliciting prostitution.

Understanding the Legal Definition of Solicitation

Solicitation, also known as “pimping,” involves finding clients (“johns”) for a prostitute and possibly living off of the earnings of a prostitute. It is important to note that solicitation is different from pandering, which means enticing a person to become a prostitute or putting them into business as a prostitute.

While solicitation and pandering are different crimes, solicitation for prostitution is a lesser-included offense of pandering. This means that you cannot be convicted of both pandering and soliciting for prostitution in Nevada.

What You Need to Know as a Customer

As a customer of prostitutes, it’s important to understand that soliciting for prostitution is just as illegal as hiring a prostitute or being a pimp. Law enforcement officers in Nevada often go undercover as prostitutes or “johns” to expose solicitation, and a witness statement can also be enough evidence to bring a solicitation charge.

The Consequences of a Conviction

If you are convicted of soliciting prostitution in Las Vegas, you could face jail time of up to six months in the county jail and fines up to $1,000. Additionally, the court can require you to perform community service hours.

Get Help From a Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you are charged with soliciting prostitution in Nevada, it’s important to retain the best criminal lawyer as soon as possible. These charges can be personally or professionally embarrassing, and having a skilled lawyer on your side can make all the difference in the outcome of your case.