Is prostitution legal in Arkansas?
Prostitution is not legal in Arkansas. Arkansas prostitution laws expressly forbid both the performance of sexual acts in exchange for compensation and the solicitation of those acts.
State Guide: U.S. prostitution laws for all 50 states
Prostitution Laws of Arkansas
- 5-70-101: Definitions
- 5-70-102: Prostitution
- 5-70-103: Patronizing a prostitute
- 5-70-104: Promoting prostitution in the first degree
- 5-70-105: Promoting prostitution in the second degree 5-70-106: Promoting prostitution in the third degree
5-70-101: Definitions As used in this chapter:
(1) "Advances prostitution" means a person if, acting other than as a prostitute or a patron of a prostitute, that person knowingly:
(A) Causes or aids a person to commit or engage in prostitution;
(B) Procures or solicits a patron for prostitution;
(C) Provides a person or premises for prostitution purposes;
(D) Operates or assists in the operation of a house of prostitution or a prostitution enterprise; or
(E) Engages in any other conduct designed to institute, aid, or facilitate an act or enterprise of prostitution;
(2) "Physical force" means any bodily impact, restraint, or confinement or the threat of bodily impact, restraint, or confinement;
(3) "Profits from prostitution" means a person if, acting other than as a prostitute receiving compensation for personally rendered prostitution services, the person accepts or receives money or other property pursuant to an agreement or understanding with any person in which the person participates or is to participate in the proceeds of prostitution; and
(4) "Sexual activity" means sexual intercourse, deviate sexual activity, or sexual contact as defined in § 5-14-101.
5-70-102: Prostitution
(a) A person commits prostitution if in return for or in expectation of a fee he or she engages in or agrees or offers to engage in sexual activity with any other person.
(b) Prostitution is a:
(1) Class B misdemeanor for the first offense; and
(2) Class A misdemeanor for second and subsequent offenses.
5-70-103: Patronizing a prostitute
(a) A person commits the offense of patronizing a prostitute if he or she:
(1) Pays or agrees to pay a fee to another person on an understanding that in return that person or a third person will engage in sexual activity with him or her; or
(2) Solicits or requests another person to engage in sexual activity with him or her in return for a fee. (b) Patronizing a prostitute is a:
(1) Class B misdemeanor for the first offense; and
(2) Class A misdemeanor for second and subsequent offenses.
5-70-104: Promoting prostitution in the first degree
(a) A person commits the offense of promoting prostitution in the first degree if he or she knowingly: