Florida legal term
Prostitution in Florida Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Florida legislative session
In Florida criminal law, “Prostitution” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Florida criminal code.
What does “Prostitution” mean in Florida criminal law?
“Prostitution” means the giving or receiving of the body for sexual activity for hire but excludes sexual activity between spouses.(e) “Sexual activity” means oral, anal, or female genital penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another; anal or female genital penetration of another by any other object; or the handling or fondling of the sexual organ of another for the purpose of masturbation; however, the term does not include acts done for bona fide medical purposes. (Fla. Stat. § 796.07)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Criminal transmission of HIV; procedures; penalties
- Human trafficking public awareness signs
- Lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon or in the presence of an elderly person or disabled person
- Lewd or lascivious offenses committed upon or in the presence of persons less than 16 years of age
- Renting space to be used for lewdness, assignation, or prostitution
- Screening for HIV and sexually transmissible diseases; providing penalties
- False imprisonment; false imprisonment of child under age 13, aggravating circumstances
- Human trafficking
- Kidnapping; kidnapping of child under age 13, aggravating circumstances
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.