Nevada PROSTITUTION LAWS

Nevada Prostitution Laws 

Definitions. – NRS 201.295

As used in NRS 201.295 to 201.440, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. “Adult” means a person 18 years of age or older.

2. “Child” means a person less than 18 years of age.

3. “Induce” means to persuade, encourage, inveigle or entice.

4. “Prostitute” means a male or female person who for a fee, monetary consideration or other thing of value engages in sexual intercourse, oral-genital contact or any touching of the sexual organs or other intimate parts of a person for the purpose of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of either person.

5. “Prostitution” means engaging in sexual conduct with another person in return for a fee, monetary consideration or other thing of value.

6. “Sexual conduct” means any of the acts enumerated in subsection 4.

7. “Transports” means to transport or cause to be transported, by any means of conveyance, into, through or across this State, or to aid or assist in obtaining such transportation.

Prostitution subculture as admissible evidence for certain purposes. – NRS 201.305

In a prosecution for pandering or sex trafficking pursuant to NRS 201.300, expert testimony concerning:

1. The prostitution subculture, including, without limitation, the effect of physical, emotional or mental abuse on the beliefs, behavior and perception of the alleged victim of the pandering or sex trafficking that is offered by the prosecution or defense is admissible for any relevant purpose, including, without limitation, to demonstrate:

(a) The dynamics of, and the manipulation and psychological control measures used in, the relationship between a prostitute and a person who engages in pandering or sex trafficking in violation of NRS 201.300; and

(b) The normal behavior and language used in the prostitution subculture.

2. The effect of pandering or sex trafficking may not be offered against a defendant pursuant to subsection 1 to prove the occurrence of an act which forms the basis of a criminal charge against the defendant.

Living from earnings of prostitute; penalty. – NRS 201.320  

1. A person who knowingly accepts, receives, levies or appropriates any money or other valuable thing, without consideration, from the proceeds of any prostitute, is guilty of living from the earnings of a prostitute and shall be punished:

(a) Where physical force or the immediate threat of physical force is used, for a category C felony as provided in NRS 193.130.

(b) Where no physical force or immediate threat of physical force is used, for a category D felony as provided in NRS 193.130.

2. Any such acceptance, receipt, levy or appropriation of money or valuable thing upon any proceedings or trial for violation of this section is presumptive evidence of lack of consideration.

Unlawful for prostitute to engage in prostitution or solicitation for prostitution except in licensed house of prostitution: Penalty; provision of certain information; dismissal. – NRS 201.353  

1. It is unlawful for a prostitute to engage in prostitution or solicitation therefor, except in a licensed house of prostitution.

2. A person who violates subsection 1 is guilty of a misdemeanor.

3. A peace officer who:

(a) Detains but does not arrest or issue a citation to a person for a violation of subsection 1 shall, before releasing the person, provide information regarding and opportunities for connecting with social service agencies that may provide assistance to the person. The Department of Health and Human Services shall assist law enforcement agencies in providing information regarding and opportunities for connecting with such social service agencies pursuant to this paragraph.

(b) Arrests or issues a citation to a person for a violation of subsection 1 shall, before the person is released from custody or cited:

(1) Inform the person that he or she may be eligible for assignment to a preprosecution diversion program established pursuant to NRS 174.032; and

(2) Provide the information regarding and opportunities for connecting with social service agencies described in paragraph (a).

4. If, at any time before the trial of a person charged with a violation of subsection 1, the prosecuting attorney has reason to believe that the person is a victim of sex trafficking, the prosecuting attorney shall dismiss the charge. As used in this subsection, “sex trafficking” means a violation of subsection 2 of NRS 201.300.

Unlawful for customer to engage in prostitution or solicitation for prostitution except in licensed house of prostitution: Criminal penalties; civil penalty; discharge and dismissal. – NRS 201.354  

1. It is unlawful for a customer to engage in prostitution or solicitation therefor, except in a licensed house of prostitution.

2. Any person who violates subsection 1 by soliciting for prostitution:

(a) A child;

(b) A peace officer who is posing as a child; or

(c) A person who is assisting in an investigation on behalf of a peace officer by posing as a child,

 – is guilty of soliciting a child for prostitution.

3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, a person who violates this section:

(a) For a first offense, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.150, and by a fine of not less than $400.

(b) For a second offense, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.140, and by a fine of not less than $800.

(c) For a third or subsequent offense, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.140, and by a fine of not less than $1,300.

4. In addition to any other penalty imposed, the court shall order a person who violates subsection 3 to pay a civil penalty of not less than $200 per offense. The civil penalty must be paid to the district attorney or city attorney of the jurisdiction in which the violation occurred. If the civil penalty imposed pursuant to this subsection:

(a) Is not within the person’s present ability to pay, in lieu of paying the penalty, the court may allow the person to perform community service for a reasonable number of hours, the value of which would be commensurate with the civil penalty.

(b) Is not entirely within the person’s present ability to pay, in lieu of paying the entire civil penalty, the court may allow the person to perform community service for a reasonable number of hours, the value of which would be commensurate with the amount of the reduction of the civil penalty.

5. A person who violates this section by soliciting a child for prostitution:

(a) For a first offense, is guilty of a category D felony and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.130, and by a fine of not more than $5,000.

(b) For a second offense, is guilty of a category C felony and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.130.

(c) For a third or subsequent offense, is guilty of a category B felony and shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than 1 year and maximum term of not more than 6 years, and may be further punished by a fine of not more than $15,000. The court shall not grant probation to or suspend the sentence of a person punished pursuant to this paragraph.

6. Any civil penalty collected by a district attorney or city attorney pursuant to subsection 4 must be deposited in the county or city treasury, as applicable, to be used for:

(a) The enforcement of this section; and

(b) Programs of treatment for persons who solicit prostitution which are certified by the Division of Public and Behavioral Health of the Department of Health and Human Services.

– Not less than 50 percent of the money deposited in the county or city treasury, as applicable, pursuant to this subsection must be used for the enforcement of this section.

7. If a person who violates subsection 1 is ordered pursuant to NRS 4.373 or 5.055 to participate in a program for the treatment of persons who solicit prostitution, upon fulfillment of the terms and conditions of the program, the court may discharge the person and dismiss the proceedings against the person. If the court discharges the person and dismisses the proceedings against the person, a nonpublic record of the discharge and dismissal must be transmitted to and retained by the Division of Parole and Probation of the Department of Public Safety solely for the use of the courts in determining whether, in later proceedings, the person qualifies under this section for participation in a program of treatment for persons who solicit prostitution. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, discharge and dismissal under this subsection is without adjudication of guilt and is not a conviction for purposes of employment, civil rights or any statute or regulation or license or questionnaire or for any other public or private purpose, but is a conviction for the purpose of additional penalties imposed for a second or subsequent conviction or the setting of bail. Discharge and dismissal restores the person discharged, in the contemplation of the law, to the status occupied before the proceedings. The person may not be held thereafter under any law to be guilty of perjury or otherwise giving a false statement by reason of failure to recite or acknowledge the proceedings in response to an inquiry made of the person for any purpose. Discharge and dismissal under this subsection may occur only once with respect to any person. A professional licensing board may consider a proceeding under this subsection in determining suitability for a license or liability to discipline for misconduct. Such a board is entitled for those purposes to a truthful answer from the applicant or licensee concerning any such proceeding with respect to the applicant or licensee.

8. Except as limited by subsection 9, if a person is discharged and the proceedings against the person are dismissed pursuant to subsection 7, the court shall, without a hearing, order sealed all documents, papers and exhibits in that person’s record, minute book entries and entries on dockets, and other documents relating to the case in the custody of such other agencies and officers as are named in the court’s order. The court shall cause a copy of the order to be sent to each agency or officer named in the order. Each such agency or officer shall notify the court in writing of its compliance with the order.

9. A professional licensing board is entitled, for the purpose of determining suitability for a license or liability to discipline for misconduct, to inspect and to copy from a record sealed pursuant to this section.

Placing person in house of prostitution; penalties. – NRS 201.360  

1. A person who:

(a) Places another in the charge or custody of a third person with the intent that the other person engage in prostitution or who compels the other person to reside with him or her or with any third person for purposes of prostitution, or who compels another person to reside in a house of prostitution;

(b) Asks or receives any compensation, gratuity or reward, or promise thereof, for or on account of placing in a house of prostitution or elsewhere a person for the purpose of causing that person to cohabit with someone who is not the person’s spouse;

(c) Gives, offers or promises any compensation, gratuity or reward, to procure a person to engage in any act of prostitution in any house of prostitution, or elsewhere, against the person’s will;

(d) Is the spouse, parent, guardian or other legal custodian of a person under the age of 18 and permits, connives at or consents to the minor’s being or remaining in any house of prostitution;

(e) Lives with or accepts any earnings of a common prostitute, or entices or solicits a person to go to a house of prostitution to engage in sexual conduct with a common prostitute;

(f) Decoys, entices, procures or in any manner induces a person to become a prostitute or to become an inmate of a house of prostitution, for purposes of prostitution, or for purposes of employment, or for any purpose whatever, when that person does not know that the house is one of prostitution; or

(g) Decoys, entices, procures or in any manner induces a person, under the age of 21 years, to go into or visit, upon any pretext or for any purpose whatever, any house of ill fame or prostitution, or any room or place inhabited or frequented by any prostitute, or used for purposes of prostitution,

– is guilty of a felony.

2. A person who violates the provisions of subsection 1 shall be punished:

(a) Where physical force or the immediate threat of physical force is used upon the other person, for a category C felony as provided in NRS 193.130.

(b) Where no physical force or immediate threat of physical force is used, for a category D felony as provided in NRS 193.130.

Property on principal business streets not to be rented for purposes of prostitution; penalty. – NRS 201.390  

1. It is unlawful for any owner or agent of any owner or any other person to keep, let or rent for any length of time, or at all, any house fronting on the principal business street or thoroughfare of any of the towns of this state, for the purpose of prostitution or to make or use any entrance or exit way to any house of prostitution from the principal business street or thoroughfare of any of the towns of this state.

2. Any person violating the provisions of subsection 1 shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.

Advancing prostitution: Definition; penalty. – NRS 201.395

1. A person who owns, leases, operates, controls or manages any business or private property is guilty of advancing prostitution if the person:

(a) Knows that illegal prostitution is being conducted at the business or upon such private property because the person has been notified, in writing, by a law enforcement agency of at least one incident of illegal prostitution that occurred at the business or upon such private property;

(b) Receives notice pursuant to paragraph (a) that the illegal prostitution may result in prosecution for pandering or sex trafficking pursuant to NRS 201.300 or facilitating sex trafficking pursuant to NRS 201.301; and

(c) Fails to take reasonable steps to abate such illegal prostitution within 30 days after the date on which the person receives such written notice from the law enforcement agency.

2. Unless a greater penalty is provided by specific statute, a person who is guilty of advancing prostitution shall be punished for a category C felony as provided in NRS 193.130.

3. For the purposes of this section, a person who owns, leases, operates, controls or manages any business or private property shall be deemed to have taken reasonable steps to abate illegal prostitution if the person has:

(a) Filed a report of such illegal prostitution with a law enforcement agency;

(b) Allowed a law enforcement agency to conduct surveillance or an unrestricted undercover operation; or

(c) Used any other available legal means to abate such illegal prostitution.

4. Any action taken to abate illegal prostitution pursuant to this section must comply with any other applicable law of this State, including, without limitation, the provisions of chapters 118A and 118C of NRS.

Unlawful advertising of prostitution; penalties. – NRS 201.430 

1. It is unlawful for any person engaged in conduct which is unlawful pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 1 of NRS 207.030, or any owner, operator, agent or employee of a house of prostitution, or anyone acting on behalf of any such person, to advertise the unlawful conduct or any house of prostitution:

(a) In any public theater, on the public streets of any city or town, or on any public highway; or

(b) In any county, city or town where prostitution is prohibited by local ordinance or where the licensing of a house of prostitution is prohibited by state statute.

2. It is unlawful for any person knowingly to prepare or print an advertisement concerning a house of prostitution not licensed for that purpose pursuant to NRS 244.345, or conduct which is unlawful pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 1 of NRS 207.030, in any county, city or town where prostitution is prohibited by local ordinance or where the licensing of a house of prostitution is prohibited by state statute.

3. Inclusion in any display, handbill or publication of the address, location or telephone number of a house of prostitution or of identification of a means of transportation to such a house, or of directions telling how to obtain any such information, constitutes prima facie evidence of advertising for the purposes of this section.

4. Any person, company, association or corporation violating the provisions of this section shall be punished:

(a) For the first violation within a 3-year period, by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 6 months, or by a fine of not more than $1,000, or by both fine and imprisonment.

(b) For a second violation within a 3-year period, by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 30 days nor more than 6 months, and by a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1,000.

(c) For a third or subsequent violation within a 3-year period, by imprisonment in the county jail for 6 months and by a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1,000.

Unlawful to permit illegal advertising of houses of prostitution; penalties. – NRS 201.440

1. In any county, city or town where prostitution is prohibited by local ordinance or where the licensing of a house of prostitution is prohibited by state statute, it is unlawful for any person, company, association or corporation knowingly to allow any person engaged in conduct which is unlawful pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 1 of NRS 207.030, or any owner, operator, agent or employee of a house of prostitution, or anyone acting on behalf of any such person, to advertise a house of prostitution in his or her place of business.

2. Any person, company, association or corporation that violates the provisions of this section shall be punished:

(a) For the first violation within a 3-year period, by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 6 months, or by a fine of not more than $1,000, or by both fine and imprisonment.

(b) For a second violation within a 3-year period, by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 30 days nor more than 6 months, and by a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1,000.

(c) For a third or subsequent violation within a 3-year period, by imprisonment in the county jail for 6 months and by a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $1,000.