North Dakota prostitution law

North Dakota punishes those who engage in prostitution or help to promote or facilitate it in any form. Ranging in severity from being classified as a class B misdemeanor or being considered a class C felony, North Dakota prohibits all forms of prostitution. The state laws divide prostitution and related crimes into three separate divisions: prostitution, promotion and facilitation.

Prostitution

Someone commits prostitution when he or she acts as an inmate in a house of prostitution or engages in sexual activity or conduct as a business or livelihood. The solicitation of another person (a patron) with the intention of being hired to engage in sexual activity is also considered prostitution according to North Dakota definitions. Finally, someone who agrees to engage in sexual activity in exchange for items of value or money is categorized as a prostitute.

Prostitution is a class B misdemeanor and is punishable with jail time up to 30 days and/or a fine up to $1,000. In court, a spouse may be required to testify against the defendant about alleged prostitution activity.

Promotion of prostitution

Typically a class C felony, promotion covers three separate offenses. Someone who is guilty of promotion:

  1. Operates, maintains, supervises or owns a house of prostitution or a prostitution enterprise or business; or
  2. Induces or causes another to engage in sexual activity as a business; or
  3. Procures or solicits prostitutes for a prostitution enterprise or house of prostitution

Sentence for promotion may include imprisonment for up to 5 years and/or a fine not to exceed $5,000.

Facilitation of prostitution

Facilitation crimes are very similar to promotion of prostitution crimes. While promotion directly relates to maintaining a business that is based on acts of prostitution, facilitation does not deal directly with a business or enterprise. Facilitation does, however, involve the aiding or abetting of acts of prostitution and other related crimes.

Soliciting a person who will patronize a prostitute is one offense that falls under the facilitation category. Conversely, procuring or obtaining a prostitute for a potential patron is also considered facilitation. Leasing a place, building or other premises for prostitution or failing to make efforts to stop a place's use for prostitution acts is illegal and charged as a facilitation offense. Additionally, causing another individual to remain a prostitute due to relying on the support from the proceeds is illegal. The only exclusion to this offense is if the offender is a minor child or other legal dependant.

Facilitation is a class C felony and punishable with imprisonment for up to 5 years and/or a fine up to $5,000.

The following Nevada counties have their own laws and regulations on prostitution:

Prostitution laws in US cities:

Prostitution laws in Canada