Utah has laws against buying, selling, or profiting from the sale of sex. For more information on prostitution laws generally, see Prostitution.
Prostitution (exchanging sex for money or other items of value) and patronizing (paying someone for sex) is illegal in Utah. This is true even if you are caught merely offering to buy or sell sex (solicitation). These activities are Class B misdemeanors.
The offense increases to a Class A misdemeanor if you have previously been convicted two or more times. (Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-1302, -1303 & -1313.)
Furthermore, it is a third degree felony to engage in prostitution, soliciting, or patronizing if you know that you are HIV positive (even if you do not infect another person).
(Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-1309.)
It is illegal to pimp (make money from a prostitute's earnings) or promote (facilitate) prostitution in Utah.
Pimping is also known as "aiding prostitution" under Utah law. This includes:
(Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-1304.)
In Utah, promoting is also referred to as "exploiting prostitution." This includes:
(Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-1305.)
It is an even more serious crime, called "aggravated exploitation of prostitution" if:
(Utah Code Ann. § 76-10-1306.)
The fines and jail (or prison) time that apply to your conviction depend on the offense.
A first of second conviction for prostitution, soliciting, or patronizing is a Class B misdemeanor; penalties include a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. If you have previously been convicted two or more times, your offense is a Class A misdemeanor. Penalties include a fine of up to $2,500, up to one year in jail, or both.
It is a third degree felony to engage in prostitution, soliciting, or patronizing if you know that you are HIV positive. Penalties include a fine of up to $5,000, up to five years in prison, or both.
Aiding prostitution is a class B misdemeanor, and penalties include a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. However, a person who is convicted a second or subsequent time is guilty of a class A misdemeanor, which incurs a fine of up to $2,500, up to one year in jail, or both.
Exploiting prostitution is a third degree felony, and incurs a fine of up to $5,000, up to five years in prison, or both. Aggravated exploitation of prostitution is a second degree felony, resulting in a fine of up to $10,000, at least one year (and up to 15 years) in prison, or both.
If you are charged with prostitution or a related crime, you should contact a Utah 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.