South Carolina prostitution law

South Carolina's laws prohibiting prostitution are pretty straightforward and simple to understand. Being divided into only two categories, laws rule that prostitution is illegal and that all crimes associated with it are, too. Sentences for prostitution are not the stiffest in the United States, although they do impose punishment for defendants who are convicted of crimes.

Prostitution: lewdness, assignation and prostitution generally

There are 11 various laws that deal specifically with the crime of prostitution or lewd behavior. Obviously, engaging in any act of prostitution (sexual conduct in exchange for money or other valuables) is unlawful. Other crimes that include the maintenance or ownership of a house of prostitution; residing in a house of prostitution; receiving anyone into a house, vehicle or other place for the explicit purpose of prostitution; transporting an individual for the purpose of prostitution; and procuring or soliciting for the purpose of prostitution are considered illegal and are punishable by law. Anyone found guilty of assisting someone to break any of these laws may be convicted of aiding and abetting.

Defendants who are convicted for the first time may receive a sentence for imprisonment up to 30 days or a fine up to $200. Second convictions result in up to 6 months in jail and/or a fine up to $1,000. Defendants who are convicted three or more times receive at least 1 year in prison and/or fines up to $3,000 for each conviction.

Prostitution: further unlawful acts

Consisting of six different laws within this section of the statutes, other prostitution-related crimes are addressed and prohibited. These crimes are:

Procurement of any female to be an inmate of a house of prostitution.
Causing, inducing or persuading a female to enter or leave the state of South Carolina in order to commit acts of prostitution.
Inducing, causing, encouraging or persuading by threats of violence a female to become or remain a prostitute.
Acceptance of money or other valuables for the procurement of any woman with the purpose she will become a prostitution or an inmate in a house of prostitution.
Receiving money or valuables from a prostitute.
Aiding or abetting any of the aforementioned crimes.

These crimes are punishable by the same sentences imposed for the previously mentioned crimes in the first section of the law.

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