Maine prostitution law

Maine's state statutes clearly prohibit the practice of prostitution and all other crimes associated with it. The promotion of prostitution and the aggravated promotion of prostitution are clearly defined by the laws as criminal activity. With imprisonment sentences up to 2 years and fines up to $2,000, the state of Maine takes eradicating the crime seriously.

Prostitution definition

In Maine, prostitution is defined as the act of engaging in, agreeing to engage in or offering to engage in any sexual contact or sexual act in exchange for financial benefits. The benefits would be received by the person engaging in the act of prostitution or an assigned third person.

The sentence of a first offense of prostitution is up to six months of jail time and/or a fine not to exceed $1,000. The first offense is a Class E offense, however subsequent offenses will be charged as Class D crimes and may include a sentence of up to 1 year in jail or prison and a fine up to $2,000 for each offense.

Promoting Prostitution

The promotion of prostitution is characterized by many different things, but all aspects of the crime are illegal and punishable by law. Considered Class D crimes, defendants receive sentences of up to 1 year in jail or prison and fines not to exceed $2,000 per each offense they are found guilty of.

One definition of promoting prostitution is aiding or causing another to engage in or commit acts of prostitution. This would be a crime performed by someone other than a patron of a prostitute.

Publicly soliciting patrons for prostitution is illegal and considered promoting prostitution. This is further defined as when an offer to engage in sexual conduct or an act in exchange for money or other valuables is made in a public place. The fee may be received by the prostitute or an agreed upon third person.

Someone who provides persons for the purpose and intent of prostitution is guilty of promoting prostitution.

Leasing or allowing the use of a location to be regularly utilized for the purpose of prostitution is punishable by law. Additionally, owning, managing, controlling, supervising or operating a prostitution business or house of prostitution is illegal.

It is strictly prohibited by law to transport a person within the state or into the state with the purpose of that person engaging in an act of prostitution.

One final definition of promoting prostitution is when someone agrees to accept or receive or actually accepts or receives monetary benefits as a result of another person participating in acts of prostitution.

Aggravated promotion of prostitution

Promotion of prostitution is taken to a new level of crime when the offense has an aggravated element added to it. The offense becomes a Class B crime, and defendants face much stricter sentencing.

Aggravated promotion of prostitution is when a defendant:

Promotes prostitution by compelling a person to enter into or engage in or remain in the business of prostitution. "Compelling" is defined as using a drug or intoxicating substance to render a person in capable of making rational decisions or by withholding or threatening to withhold a narcotic drug or alcohol from a dependent individual.
Promotes prostitution of a person younger than 18 years of age.

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