Is Prostitution legal in Las Vegas?

January is a busy season for Las Vegas. Visitors come down to escape the snowy winter, companies host conventions at one of the many convention halls, and of course, it’s almost time for the Super Bowl and Big Game watching parties.

If you are coming to Vegas for any of these events, or just for a fun weekend getaway, you may be wondering what really goes on in Vegas. You already know that gambling and sports betting are legal, and you can drink openly on the Strip and in Downtown. You may also know that recreational marijuana is now legal for people over 21. But what about other things you may be too embarrassed to ask about; like prostitution.

You may have heard that prostitution is legal in Nevada, and while that is true, it is only legal in certain areas. Las Vegas, however, is not one of those areas. Prostitution is legal only in counties where the population is fewer than 700,000. Even in those counties, it may only occur in licensed regulated brothels. Las Vegas is located in Clark County, which has an estimated population of over two-million – just a little bit over the threshold. Currently, the nearest town to Las Vegas with legalized prostitution is in Pahrump, NV – roughly sixty miles away.

Nevada defines prostitution as the act of trading sexual conduct for a fee (which can be money or other things of value). Although many people believe that only the prostitute who accepts the fee is in violation of the law, the customer of a prostitute can also be similarly charged.

Penalties for engaging in prostitution can include fines up to $1,000 and/or up-to 6 months in jail. However, as a customer, penalties can often be harsher. In addition to the fine and jail time, a court might impose additional fines and civil penalties. While a first offense will usually only result in a misdemeanor, additional offenses can result in a gross misdemeanor with fines up to $2,000, additional fees, and up to 364 days in jail.

If you have been arrested for engaging in unlawful prostitution or as a customer of a prostitute, there are a number of defenses that you might have. Call our office now to find out what you can do to limit or reduce the charges, and what your options are.