Prostitution in Indiana is a highly illegal act and could result in serious criminal penalties for all parties involved. Furthermore, those charged with prostitution or solicitation in Indiana often face an array of collateral consequences that have the potential to negatively impact their employment status, personal relationships, and reputation in the community.
Our Indianapolis-based law firm is led by two former deputy prosecutors who understand how these types of cases are handled by the prosecution and which defense strategies are most effective, given the specific circumstances of the situation. The laws specifically addressing the criminal act of prostitution in Indiana, as well as public indecency, public nudity, voyeurism , and revenge porn, can be found in Indiana Code Under this chapter of the law, criminal acts related to prostitution are divided into three separate offenses: prostitution, unlawful proposition often referred to as solicitation , and the promotion of prostitution often referred to as pimping.
Under some circumstances, prostitution and unlawful proposition are considered felony offenses, however, certain enhancing circumstances must apply. Promoting prostitution, on the other hand, is always a felony offense in Indiana, and if the person who was enticed or compelled to become a prostitute is under the age of 18, could result in Level 4 felony charges.
As clearly stated in Indiana Code , when a person who is at least 18 years old knowingly or intentionally:. However, if the offender has two prior, but unrelated convictions for prostitution, they may be charged with a Level 6 felony. Per the Indiana sentencing guidelines , a conviction of this level could result in a criminal sentence of up to 2. When a person engages the services of a prostitute, a provider of erotic massage , or an escort in Indiana, they can be arrested charged with unlawful proposition, or what is more commonly referred to as solicitation.
As defined in Indiana Code , unlawful proposition occurs when someone offers, agrees to, or actually pays or trades property to another person in exchange for engaging in sexual conduct.
