In this section, our attorneys explain Nevada’s criminal laws and legal concepts, A to Z
Criminal Law A to Z
In this section, our attorneys explain Nevada’s criminal laws and legal concepts, A to Z
Crimes by NRS Section
Every crime in Nevada is based in a section of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS). For each crime, our attorneys explain the laws, penalties and best defenses to fight the charge.
Nevada DUI
Getting arrested for DUI does not mean you will be convicted. Police misconduct, defective breathalyzers and crime lab mistakes may be enough to get your charges lessened or dismissed. Visit our page on Nevada DUI Laws to learn more.
Post-Conviction
Even if you’ve already been convicted of a crime, there is still much you can do to seal your record and restore your rights. Our attorneys explain how.
24/7 Help:
(702) 333-3673
Please note: Our firm only handles criminal and DUI cases, and only in California. We do not handle any of the following cases:
And we do not handle any cases outside of California.
Call Us NowPosted on
Nevada law draws no distinction between prostitution (trading sex acts for a fee) and solicitation (offering or accepting to trade sex acts for a fee). And penalties are the same whether or not any sex took place or cash changed hands.1
The majority of prostitution arrests occur in bars or public restrooms where a suspected hooker or john is caught in the act of solicitation by an undercover officer.2
Jail is rare for a first-time offense since solicitation/prostitution is only misdemeanor.
Sex workers convicted of prostitution face maximum penalties of $1,000 in fines and/or six months in jail. But if the sex worker knows she has HIV, then soliciting prostitution is a category B felony punishable by two to 10 years in Nevada State Prison and/or $10,000 in fines.
Meanwhile, the penalties for “johns” increases with each successive conviction:
Number of offenses |
Nevada penalties for customers soliciting prostitution |
First time offense | Misdemeanor:
|
Second time offense | Gross misdemeanor:
|
Third time offense | Gross misdemeanor:
|
Note that “johns” face felony charges if the person they are soliciting for prostitution is a minor under 18 years old:
Number of offenses | Nevada penalties for customers soliciting underage minors |
First time offense | Category E felony:
If the defendant has two or more prior felony convictions, the court may order 1 to 4 years in prison, and up to $5,000 in fines (at the court’s discretion). |
Second time offense |
|
Third time offense |
Probation or suspended prison sentences are unavailable for 3rd or subsequent convictions.3 |
See our related article, What is the punishment for hiring a prostitute in Las Vegas?
Nevada judges often do agree to dismiss a first-time prostitution charge as long as the defendant completes various terms, such as:
Alternatively, judges may be willing to change the charge to something with less of a social stigma such as trespass (NRS 207.200) or disorderly conduct (NRS 203.210).
Prostitution is illegal throughout most of Nevada, including Las Vegas and Reno. Only regulated, licensed brothel prostitution is lawful in the following counties:
Read our related article, Are there legal brothels in Las Vegas?
A former Los Angeles prosecutor, attorney Neil Shouse graduated with honors from UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School (and completed additional graduate studies at MIT). He has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Dr Phil, The Today Show and Court TV. Mr Shouse has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Criminal and Top 100 Civil Attorneys.
Prostitution is illegal in all Colorado cities, counties and unincorporated areas. State law makes it a crime to buy or sell sexual favors, or to offer or solicit the sale or purchase of sex. The definition of sex includes intercourse as well as fellatio, cunnilingus, masturbation, or anal copulation. Some people mistakenly believe that prostitution is legal ...
Which Nevada counties allow prostitution?Watch this video on YouTube Licensed brothel prostitution is legal in the following ten rural counties in Nevada: Churchill County1 Elko County (only in the incorporated communities of Elko, Carlin, Wendover and Wells)2 Esmeralda County3 Humboldt County (only in the incorporated community of Winnemucca)4 Lander County5 Lyon County (only in Mound ...
No. Brothels – as well as any other forms of prostitution (NRS 201.354) – are not allowed in Las Vegas or elsewhere in Clark County under NRS 244.345. Prostitutes and customers face misdemeanor charges merely for offering or agreeing to trade sexual favors for money – if even no money ends up changing hands and ...
Yes, as long as there is no trading of sex for money. It is perfectly legal to pay people for their company, even if the escorts are scantily clad. But escort services cross the line into prostitution (NRS 201.354) if there is an understanding that the payment is for sex, not merely company. The Vegas ...