Prostitution, Pimping, and Pandering Laws in Michigan

Michigan's prostitution laws cover a wide range of conduct, prohibiting conduct by those acting as prostitutes, patrons, pimps, panderers, and traffickers. Learn how Michigan defines and penalizes prostitution-related offenses.

Is Prostitution Legal in Michigan?

No. Prostitution and related offenses are not legal in Michigan. Like many states, Michigan prohibits and penalizes prostitution offenses committed by those who:

• work as a prostitute
• engage the services of a prostitute
• procure a prostitute for a customer or business
• compel another to work as a prostitute, or
• profit off of another's prostitution earnings.

Michigan law doesn't define "prostitution." The lack of a definition in statute has led to some disagreement by courts as to the scope of prostitution services. But the commonly understood meaning of prostitution appears to be what Michigan courts currently follow—that being, a person commits prostitution by engaging in, offering to engage in, or agreeing to engage in sexual intercourse or other sexual acts in exchange for money or other forms of payment. (People v. Warren, 449 Mich. 341 (1995).)

What Are Michigan's Penalties for Prostitution Offenses?

Most prostitution offenses are misdemeanors. However, Michigan imposes felony penalties for defendants who victimize minors or have multiple related convictions.

Soliciting or Receiving a Person for Purposes of Prostitution

Michigan law prohibits prostitution by persons 16 and older. These offenses include:

• soliciting or inviting someone to hire them for sexual acts, or
• receiving or admitting someone into a building, place, or vehicle for prostitution purposes.

First and second convictions carry misdemeanor penalties of up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine or one year of jail time and a $1,000 fine, respectively. A third conviction increases to a felony, with a maximum two-year prison sentence and a $2,000 fine.

Engaging or Offering to Engage in Prostitution Services

A customer who engages or offers to engage the services of another for prostitution commits a misdemeanor for a first or second offense and a felony for a third offense. The same penalties listed above for prostitution offenses apply here. However, any offense involving a child younger than 18 is a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine (even if it's a first offense).

(Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 712A.2, 750.448, 750.449, 750.449a, 750.451 (2024).)

What Are Michigan's Penalties for Pimping and Pandering Offenses?

Michigan doesn't use the terms pimping and pandering, but several statutes prohibit these types of activities.

Taking the Earnings of a Prostitute (Pimping)

A person who knowingly accepts, receives, or takes money or earnings of a prostitute commits a felony punishable by up to 20 years of prison time. This pimping crime also includes living off the proceeds of prostitution.

(Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.457 (2024).)

Procuring or Inducing a Person to Engage in Prostitution (Pandering)

The following pandering crimes also carry stiff felony penalties of up to 20 years of prison time:

• persuading, encouraging, inducing, or enticing a person to become a prostitute
• securing a person to work at a house of prostitution, or
• using promises, threats, fraud, violence, or money to convince someone to remain a prostitute or to engage in prostitution services.

A conviction for these offenses requires sex offender registration.

(Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 28.722, 750.455, 750.459 (2024).)

What Are Michigan's Penalties for Sex Trafficking?

A person commits sex trafficking by knowingly recruiting, enticing, housing, transporting, or securing a person for forced sexual services. Financially benefiting from sex trafficking is also a crime. Sex trafficking carries felony penalties that range from 10 years to life in prison.

(Mich. Comp. Laws 750.462a to 750.462f (2024).)

Talk to a Lawyer

If you've been charged with a prostitution-related offense in Michigan, speak to a local criminal defense attorney. A lawyer can help you understand what's at stake and whether you may have a defense to the charges.