Prostitution laws in Maryland

The state of Maryland highlights prostitution as a serious crime and offers a series of prostitution laws under the Maryland Criminal Code Title 11 and Subtitle 3.

What is considered as prostitution in Maryland?

In Maryland prostitution is defined as a sexual act (including analingus, cunnilingus, fellatio, anal intercourse, penetration of an individual’s genital opening or anus, or any carried out to offer sexual gratification), sexual contact or vaginal intercourse in return for money; with the person committing the crime carrying out the act(s) knowingly.

What are the prostitution laws in Maryland?

There are five main prostitution laws in Maryland listed under section 11-306

  1. It is considered illegal for any individual to engage in any act of prostitution or related crimes knowingly.
  2. It is considered illegal for any individual to manage knowingly, maintain, set-up or operate any building, conveyance or structure for purposes of carrying out prostitution.
  3. It is illegal for any individual to knowingly permit and/or allow, grant permission to any other individual who owns or controls a conveyance or structure for purposes of carrying out prostitution.
  4. It is illegal for any individual to knowingly allow any other individual permission into a building or conveyance for purposes of carrying out prostitution.
  5. It is illegal for any individual to knowingly offer, solicit or procure for the act of prostitution.

Understanding prostitution laws in-depth

In addition to the aforementioned, the following are considered as acts related to prostitution:

  • Making an appointment or meeting to indulge in act relating prostitution.
  • Hiring a prostitute.
  • Abducting children under the age of 16 and enticing them into prostitution.
  • Selling or trading a minor as prostitute; in exchange for money, good, property or anything that can be considered of value.

What are the penalties for prostitution?

Any individual charged for prostitution-related charges or other related crimes (such as misdemeanor human trafficking and solicitation) can be prosecuted at any time; without any statute of limitations and may need to register as a sex offender.

In Maryland, the penalties for prostitution is one year in jail and $500 in fines. The penalty increases depending upon the case and can reach as high as ten years in jail and as much as $5,000 in fines in the event that a minor or human trafficking is involved in the crime.

Long-term implications

Prostitution is a crime often associated with long-term implications. While, prostitution is a crime that adversely affects an individual social image and can take a toll on their criminal record, it can also have other very serious long-term implications. Individuals found guilty of prostitution may deal with periods of probation and requirements of performing community service. Furthermore, they might need to go through a series of mental evaluation tests to confirm their mental capabilities.

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