Prostitution Laws in Missouri

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

Is Prostitution Legal in Missouri?

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

• work as a prostitute (except for minors younger than 18)
• engage the services of a prostitute (patrons)
• solicit customers for prostitutes
• profit off of another's prostitution earnings
• compel someone to work or remain a prostitute, or
• run a house of prostitution or prostitution enterprise.

Definition of Prostitution

Prostitution involves engaging in, offering to engage in, or agreeing to engage in "sexual conduct" in exchange for something of value. Something of value could be money, food, drugs, clothing, or tickets, for example.

Definition of Sexual Conduct

Sexual conduct includes:

• vaginal, oral, or anal sex
• object or digital penetration of another's genitalia or anus, or
• sexual contact by touching another's genitalia or anus or a female breast under or over clothing.

It's considered sexual conduct whether the act is done for the purpose of sexual arousal of any person or to terrorize the victim.

(Mo. Rev. Stat. § 567.010 (2024).)

What Are Missouri's Penalties for Prostitution?

An adult can be charged with prostitution by engaging in, offering to engage in, or agreeing to engage in sexual conduct in exchange for something of value.

First or second conviction. Missouri makes first and second prostitution convictions class B misdemeanors, punishable by up to six months of jail time and a $1,000 fine. The law allows the judge to order the defendant into drug or alcohol abuse treatment. If the defendant successfully completes the program, the judge may reverse the conviction and enter a judgment of not guilty.

Subsequent convictions. A person who's facing a third or subsequent prostitution conviction is considered a persistent prostitution offender. This status enhances the penalty to a class D felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison.

HIV-positive. However, if the person engaged in sexual conduct knowing they were HIV-positive, the penalty increases to a class B felony. This felony carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence. It does not qualify for reversal of a conviction after completion of a treatment program.

(Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 567.020, 567.110 (2024).)

What Are Missouri's Penalties for Patronizing a Prostitute?

A patron who solicits the services of a prostitute or pays or agrees to pay for prostitution services can face misdemeanor or felony penalties. The penalty depends on the age of the prostitute and whether the defendant has prior convictions.

Patronizing an Adult Prostitute

Patronizing an adult prostitute carries class B misdemeanor penalties. A conviction carries up to six months of jail time and a $1,000 fine.

Patronizing a Child Prostitute

Patronizing a child prostitute who's older than 14 carries class E felony penalties of up to four years in prison and a $10,000 fine. If the child is 14 or younger, the crime increases to a class D felony. A conviction for a class D felony means up to seven years in prison.

Mistake of age is not a defense.

Persistent Prostitution Offender

A defendant facing a third or subsequent conviction for patronizing is a persistent prostitution offender. A prosecutor can file class D felony charges in this circumstance.

(Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 567.030, 567.110 (2024).)

What Are Missouri's Penalties for Promoting Prostitution?

Missouri has three degrees of promoting prostitution crimes. All carry felony penalties.

Promoting Prostitution in the Third Degree

A person promotes prostitution by knowingly:

• causing or aiding someone to engage in prostitution
• soliciting patrons for prostitution
• providing a place for prostitution purposes
• operating or aiding a house of prostitution or similar business, or
• entering an agreement to receive a portion of a prostitute's earnings.

Third-degree promoting offenses carry class E felony penalties of up to four years of prison time and a $10,000 fine.

Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree

Promoting becomes a class D felony if the offender promotes the prostitution of a 16- or 17-year-old child. It's also a second-degree offense to promote prostitution by managing, supervising, owning, or controlling a house of prostitution or prostitution business involving two or more prostitutes.

A conviction can mean up to seven years of prison time and a $10,000 fine.

Promoting Prostitution in the First Degree

First-degree promoting carries the harshest penalties—class A or B felonies.

A person commits this first-degree offense by knowingly promoting the prostitution of a person younger than 16. A conviction carries a minimum 10-year prison sentence and a maximum 15-year sentence.

Compelling a person to become or remain a prostitute is also a first-degree offense. A person commits this offense by using force, intoxicating the person, or withholding or threatening to withhold drugs from a drug-dependent person. A conviction means a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 15 years of prison time.

Finally, anyone who owns, manages, or operates a multi-user, interactive computer service to promote or facilitate prostitution commits a first-degree offense. This crime carries 5 to 15 years of prison time but increases to a class A felony if the crime recklessly contributes to sex trafficking and exploitation. Class A felonies are punishable by 10 to 30 years or up to life in prison.

(Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 567.050, 567.060, 567.070 (2024).)

What to Do If Facing Charges for Prostitution Offenses

If you've been charged with a prostitution-related offense in Missouri, speak to a local criminal defense attorney before answering police officer questions. A lawyer can help you understand what's at stake and whether you may have a defense to the charges. You can ask for a public defender if you can't afford an attorney.