Prostitution is the oldest profession in the world. Prostitution is also legal in many parts of the world or at least in most countries. Prostitution is considered a sex crime in Henrico Virginia and a conviction carries jail time and huge fines. Laws against prostitution criminalize the proposal of, agreement to, or participation in any form of sexual act for compensation. Specifically, prostitution happens when a person trades sexual favors, sexual contact, or the like for financial or other compensation. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable with up to twelve months in jail and/or a maximum fine of $2500. In Henrico Virginia, solicitation is also a crime. Criminal solicitation is requesting, encouraging or demanding someone to engage in criminal conduct i,e prostitution, with the intent to facilitate or contribute to the commission of that crime. Most commonly, solicitation refers to solicitation of prostitution the crime of soliciting someone to engage in prostitution. Similarly, the acquisition of or attempt to obtain sexual favors, sexual contact, or the like by means of paying another individual for services rendered carries the same penalties. Regardless of whether you are soliciting services or providing them, both individuals are punished under the law. Pandering or promoting prostitution, commonly known as “pimping” and human trafficking are punished even more severely. By taking or detaining a person for purposes of prostitution, receiving money for placing a person in a place or situation for the purposes of illegal sexual acts, or receiving money from the earnings of a male or female prostitute, one faces Class 4 felony charges.
Provisions Of Henrico Virginia’s Prostitution and Solicitation Laws:
Virginia Code section 18.2-346: This law defines prostitution as engaging in, or offering to engage in, fornication or any other sexual acts in exchange for money or its equivalent. Asking for sexual acts in exchange for money or its equivalent is defined as solicitation. Both solicitation and prostitution are class 1 misdemeanors, with a potential penalty of up to a year in jail and a fine up to $2,500.Code section 18.2-347: This law makes it illegal to keep, visit, or reside in a “bawdy” A “bawdy place” is a location that is used for prostitution. Each visit to the “bawdy” place is a separate criminal offense. This crime is also a class 1 misdemeanor. Code Section Henrico Virginia Code §18.2-346 -18.2-359 has following provisions:
- What is Prohibited: Prostitution
- either offering or accepting;
- sexual activity;
- in exchange for something of value; and
- both parties had the intent to commit prostitution or solicitation.
Solicitation: Promoting Prostitution: owning, controlling, managing, supervising or otherwise keeping, alone or in association with another, a house of prostitution or a prostitution business.
- Who Can be Prosecuted?
- Prostitute (supplier of services)
- Customer/”John” (solicitor of services)
- Pimp/Madame (liaison involved in the transaction)
- Anyone involved in human trafficking
- Penalties: Prostitution: class 1 misdemeanor penalties including mandatory STD testing such as hepatitis C and HIV and must enroll in mandatory mental health counseling and STD education.
- What is Considered Payment? Money or anything of value in exchange for the sexual services is sufficient (i.e. property).
- Definition of “Sexual Activity” : Any kind of sexual relation including traditional sexual intercourse, oral sex, masturbation, touching in a sexual area or even on the buttocks.