South Carolina has laws against buying, selling, or profiting from the sale of sex. For more information on prostitution laws generally, see Prostitution.
Prostitution, pimping, and pandering is punished more severely if the crime occurs within 100 yards of a child care facility. Penalties are discussed below. (S.C. Code of Laws § 63-13-200.)
Prostitution --exchanging sex for money (or other items of value)-- is illegal in South Carolina. You may not:
(S.C. Code of Laws § 16-15-90.)
It is also illegal to pimp (make money from a prostitutes earnings) or pander (facilitate prostitution) in South Carolina. Specifically, it's against the law to:
(S.C. Code of Laws § 16-15-90.)
It is illegal to patronize (buy) a prostitute's services in South Carolina (those who do so are commonly called "johns"). You commit the crime of patronizing a prostitute if you:
(S.C. Code of Laws § 16-15-90.)
The penalties for the crimes described above vary according to whether this is a first or subsequent offense; and include fines, jail (or prison) time, or both. Other penalties apply to crimes relating to prostitution by minors.
For a first offense, penalties include a fine of up to $200, up to 30 days in jail, or both. This increases to a fine of up to $1,000, six months in jail, or both; for second offenses. And for third and subsequent offenses, penalties include a fine of up to $3,000, a year (or more) in prison, or both.
If the offense was committed within 100 yards from a child care facility, you will be fined up to $10,000, imprisoned for up to ten years (or both), in addition to the penalties described above.
It is a felony to permit, encourage, or solicit a minor to engage in prostitution. This crime is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, up to ten years in prison, or both. (S.C. Code of Laws § 16-15-335 & 16-15-342.)
In South Carolina, people convicted of promoting the prostitution of a child under the age of 18 are required to register as sex offenders on the Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect.
(S.C. Code of Laws § 17-25-135.)
If you are charged with prostitution or a related crime, you should contact a South Carolina criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you navigate the criminal justice system and obtain the best possible outcome in your case.
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