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 Ohio, prostitution is illegal under Ohio Revised Code Section 2907.21. A person is guilty of prostitution if they engage in sexual activity for hire, which includes sexual activity in exchange for money or other consideration. The law also criminalizes activities related to prostitution, such as solicitation, which is the act of seeking sexual activity for hire, whether for oneself or on behalf of someone else. Additionally, promoting or facilitating prostitution, often associated with pimping or pandering, is illegal. This can include activities such as managing, supervising, controlling, or owning a prostitution enterprise. The severity of the charges can range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the specific circumstances, such as the involvement of minors or if the offense is a repeat violation. Penalties can include fines, imprisonment, and mandatory STD testing. Ohio law also addresses human trafficking under Section 2905.32, which makes it a crime to knowingly recruit, lure, entice, isolate, harbor, transport, provide, obtain, or maintain another person if the offender knows that the person will be subjected to involuntary servitude or be compelled to engage in sexual activity for hire.
