Arizona criminal charge
Prostitution in Arizona
Prostitution is a criminal offense under Arizona law, defined by A.R.S. § 13-3214. Its classification is not fixed: Arizona assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by A.R.S. § 13-3214.
What is the penalty for prostitution in Arizona?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (Prostitution — base offense (first through third violations) — A person who violates this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor, with mandatory minimum jail terms escalating for first, second, and third violations under paragraphs (E)(1)-(E)(3).; definite term served outside state prison (13-707(A)(1)); prior same offense within 2 years elevates to the next higher class (13-707(B))) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-707 |
| Fine | up to $2,500 (Prostitution — base offense (first through third violations) — A person who violates this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor, with mandatory minimum jail terms escalating for first, second, and third violations under paragraphs (E)(1)-(E)(3).; 13-802(A)) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-707 |
| Jail / prison | 9 months to 24 months (Prostitution — fourth or subsequent violation — A person who has previously been convicted of three or more violations of this section and commits a subsequent violation is guilty of a class 5 felony.; presumptive 1.5 years; mitigated 6 months / aggravated 2.5 years on required findings (13-701, 13-702(B)-(D)); repetitive (13-703) or dangerous (13-704) offenses use different ranges) | presumptive | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
| Fine | up to $150,000 (Prostitution — fourth or subsequent violation — A person who has previously been convicted of three or more violations of this section and commits a subsequent violation is guilty of a class 5 felony.; fine cap for an individual (13-801); statute-specific amounts may exceed) | discretionary | A.R.S. § 13-702 |
Applies to current.
How is prostitution classified in Arizona?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prostitution — base offense (first through third violations) | Class 1 Misdemeanor | A person who violates this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor, with mandatory minimum jail terms escalating for first, second, and third violations under paragraphs (E)(1)-(E)(3). | A.R.S. § 13-3214E |
| Prostitution — fourth or subsequent violation | Class 5 Felony | A person who has previously been convicted of three or more violations of this section and commits a subsequent violation is guilty of a class 5 felony. | A.R.S. § 13-3214E.4 |
Common questions about prostitution in Arizona
Is prostitution a felony or a misdemeanor in Arizona?
It depends on the circumstances: prostitution ranges from a Class 1 Misdemeanor to a Class 5 Felony in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-3214.
Prostitution — base offense (first through third violations): Class 1 Misdemeanor (A.R.S. § 13-3214E) · Prostitution — fourth or subsequent violation: Class 5 Felony (A.R.S. § 13-3214E.4)
What are the penalties for prostitution in Arizona?
Which Arizona statute covers prostitution?
Prostitution is governed by A.R.S. § 13-3214 (Prostitution; classification).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.