Maryland prostitution law

Maryland's laws regarding prostitution are relatively specific and prohibit the act of prostitution and other activities similar to the offense. While all prostitution-related crimes are considered misdemeanors in Maryland, they still entail strict sentences and fines. The state's statutes define the crimes of prostitution, pandering, receiving earnings from a prostitute and maintaining a house of prostitution.

Prostitution definition

Prostitution in Maryland is considered the performance of sexual contact, a sexual act or vaginal intercourse in exchange for a fee or other payment. This act is illegal, as is the act of solicitation. Solicitation is the advising, urging, inducing, requesting, encouraging or commanding another regarding the performance of sexual acts, contact or vaginal intercourse. Offenders may receive jail time up to 1 year and/or a fine not to exceed $500.

Pandering

The crime of pandering covers five different aspects of prostitution crime. According to Maryland law, pandering is illegal. A person may not knowingly:

Transport another or cause another to be transported to any place for the purpose of performing acts of prostitution.
Locate, cause to be located or harbor anyone in any place for the purpose of performing acts of prostitution.
Cause someone to transported for prostitution as a result of threats or promises.
Take or detain another unlawfully with the intention to force or entice someone to marry a person or perform an act of prostitution with the person.
Receive consideration to procure for or place in a house of prostitution or elsewhere another with the intention of causing the other to engage in acts of prostitution.

One last aspect related to pandering involves parental/guardian permission. It is illegal to grant permission to engage in acts of prostitution as one's legal parent or guardian. Sentences for pandering offenses include prison terms up to 10 years and fines not to exceed $5,000.

Receiving earnings of prostitution

According to Maryland laws, persons may not acquire or receive money or other proceeds from the earnings of a person engaged in prostitution. The receipt of these funds leads one to be guilty of promoting the crime of prostitution, profiting from the crime of prostitution and aiding in the concealment of the crime and the proceeds derived from the crime.

Still considered misdemeanors, sentences for guilty verdicts for receipt of earnings from prostitution include prison time amounting up to 10 years and possibly fines not exceeding $10,000.

House of prostitution

Individuals may not knowingly engage in prostitution in any means, nor may they operate, occupy, keep, maintain or set up a building or other location used for prostitution. Allowing a building that you own to be used for prostitution is also considered illegal. Additionally, it is defined as illegal to admit a person into a place for prostitution or procure or solicit for a prostitute for another person. Offenders may face sentences up to one year in jail and/or a fine of nearly $500.

Skip the games. Get satisfaction.