A person generally commits the crime of prostitution by engaging in sexual contact or offering to engage in sexual contact in exchange for money or other consideration.

It is also a criminal offense to solicit (on a person's own behalf, or on behalf of another person), promote, or compel prostitution. For example, most states have laws that make it illegal to buy, sell, or profit from prostitution—which is generally the business of pimps and other human traffickers—known as pimping, pandering, procuring, soliciting, promoting, or compelling prostitution.

Prostitution laws vary from state to state and are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Florida, prostitution is defined as the giving or receiving of the body for sexual activity for hire but excludes sexual activity between spouses. The law considers prostitution, which includes engaging in, offering to engage in, or agreeing to engage in sexual activity for compensation, a criminal offense. This also extends to the solicitation, inducement, enticement, or procurement of another to commit prostitution. Florida statutes categorize these activities under offenses related to prostitution, which are found in Chapter 796 of the Florida Statutes. The severity of the charges can range from second-degree misdemeanors for a first offense of prostitution to third-degree felonies for repeat offenses or for those who live off the earnings of a prostitute. Additionally, Florida law criminalizes the operation of brothels and the renting of spaces for prostitution. The state also has specific laws against human trafficking, which is a separate and more severe offense that involves the exploitation of individuals for prostitution through force, fraud, or coercion.