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 Maine, prostitution is illegal under state law. The crime of prostitution is defined as engaging in, or agreeing to engage in, or offering to engage in a sexual act or contact in exchange for a fee. This also includes loitering in a public place with the intent to engage in prostitution. The law further criminalizes promoting prostitution, which includes actions like pimping (deriving financial gain from the prostitution of another), owning or managing a place of prostitution, or inducing someone to engage in or remain in prostitution. Soliciting for prostitution is also illegal, which means that it is a crime to request, persuade, or agree to engage in sexual conduct for a fee. The specific statutes detailing these offenses can be found in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 17-A: Maine Criminal Code, Chapter 11, which covers offenses against public order and decency. Penalties for prostitution and related offenses can range from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the crime and the individual's criminal history.