New jersey criminal charge
Prostitution and related offenses in New jersey
Current through 2026 New Jersey legislative session
Prostitution and related offenses is a criminal offense under New jersey law, defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1. Its classification is not fixed: New jersey 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 N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1.
What is the penalty for prostitution and related offenses in New jersey?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 10 years to 20 years (Promoting prostitution of a child under 18 / of one's own child, ward, or dependent — Applies when the offense falls within paragraph (3) (knowingly promoting prostitution of a child under 18) or paragraph (4) (knowingly promoting prostitution of the actor's child, ward, or dependent).; presumption of imprisonment (2C:44-1(d))) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to 200000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Promoting prostitution of a child under 18 / of one's own child, ward, or dependent — Applies when the offense falls within paragraph (3) (knowingly promoting prostitution of a child under 18) or paragraph (4) (knowingly promoting prostitution of the actor's child, ward, or dependent).; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 5 years to 10 years (Engaging in prostitution with or soliciting a child under 18 — Applies when the actor knowingly engages in prostitution with, enters a house of prostitution to engage in sexual activity with, or solicits a child under 18.; presumption of imprisonment (2C:44-1(d))) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to 150000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Engaging in prostitution with or soliciting a child under 18 — Applies when the actor knowingly engages in prostitution with, enters a house of prostitution to engage in sexual activity with, or solicits a child under 18.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 3 years to 5 years (Compelling another to engage in or promote prostitution / promoting prostitution of spouse — Applies when the actor compels another to engage in or promote prostitution, or promotes prostitution of the actor's spouse.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to 15000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Compelling another to engage in or promote prostitution / promoting prostitution of spouse — Applies when the actor compels another to engage in or promote prostitution, or promotes prostitution of the actor's spouse.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 3 years to 5 years (Promoting prostitution — specified promotional conduct (subparagraphs a,b,c,f,g) — Applies to promoting prostitution under paragraph (2) of subsection b. when the conduct involves owning/controlling a house of prostitution, procuring an inmate/place, causing another to become a prostitute, transporting a person for prostitution, or knowingly permitting a place to be used for prostitution.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to 15000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Promoting prostitution — specified promotional conduct (subparagraphs a,b,c,f,g) — Applies to promoting prostitution under paragraph (2) of subsection b. when the conduct involves owning/controlling a house of prostitution, procuring an inmate/place, causing another to become a prostitute, transporting a person for prostitution, or knowingly permitting a place to be used for prostitution.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | up to 18 months (no statutory minimum) (Promoting prostitution — other promotional conduct (subparagraphs d,e) — Applies to promoting prostitution under paragraph (2) of subsection b. when the conduct does not fall within subparagraph (a), (b), (c), (f), or (g) of paragraph (4) of subsection a, i.e., soliciting a patron or procuring a prostitute for a patron.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to 10000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Promoting prostitution — other promotional conduct (subparagraphs d,e) — Applies to promoting prostitution under paragraph (2) of subsection b. when the conduct does not fall within subparagraph (a), (b), (c), (f), or (g) of paragraph (4) of subsection a, i.e., soliciting a patron or procuring a prostitute for a patron.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | up to 18 months (no statutory minimum) (Patronizing prostitution — repeat offense (2nd or 3rd conviction) — Applies when a person has a second or third conviction for engaging in prostitution as a patron under paragraph (1) of subsection b.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to 10000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Patronizing prostitution — repeat offense (2nd or 3rd conviction) — Applies when a person has a second or third conviction for engaging in prostitution as a patron under paragraph (1) of subsection b.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 3 years to 5 years (Patronizing prostitution — 4th or subsequent conviction — Applies when a person has a fourth or subsequent conviction for engaging in prostitution as a patron under paragraph (1) of subsection b.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to 15000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Patronizing prostitution — 4th or subsequent conviction — Applies when a person has a fourth or subsequent conviction for engaging in prostitution as a patron under paragraph (1) of subsection b.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (no statutory minimum) (Patronizing prostitution — first offense — Applies to a first offense of engaging in prostitution as a patron under paragraph (1) of subsection b.; not a crime under the NJ Constitution (2C:1-4); municipal court) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8 |
| Fine | up to 1000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Patronizing prostitution — first offense — Applies to a first offense of engaging in prostitution as a patron under paragraph (1) of subsection b.) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8 |
| Jail / prison | up to 6 months (no statutory minimum) (Personally offering sexual activity for economic value — first offense — Applies to a first offense of personally offering sexual activity in exchange for something of economic value under paragraph (8) of subsection b.; not a crime under the NJ Constitution (2C:1-4); municipal court) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8 |
| Fine | up to 1000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Personally offering sexual activity for economic value — first offense — Applies to a first offense of personally offering sexual activity in exchange for something of economic value under paragraph (8) of subsection b.) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-8 |
| Jail / prison | up to 18 months (no statutory minimum) (Personally offering sexual activity for economic value — repeat offense — Applies when a person has a second or subsequent conviction for personally offering sexual activity in exchange for something of economic value under paragraph (8) of subsection b.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to 10000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Personally offering sexual activity for economic value — repeat offense — Applies when a person has a second or subsequent conviction for personally offering sexual activity in exchange for something of economic value under paragraph (8) of subsection b.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
Applies to current.
How is prostitution and related offenses classified in New jersey?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Promoting prostitution of a child under 18 / of one's own child, ward, or dependent | crime of the first degree | Applies when the offense falls within paragraph (3) (knowingly promoting prostitution of a child under 18) or paragraph (4) (knowingly promoting prostitution of the actor's child, ward, or dependent). | N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined |
| Engaging in prostitution with or soliciting a child under 18 | crime of the second degree | Applies when the actor knowingly engages in prostitution with, enters a house of prostitution to engage in sexual activity with, or solicits a child under 18. | N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined |
| Compelling another to engage in or promote prostitution / promoting prostitution of spouse | crime of the third degree | Applies when the actor compels another to engage in or promote prostitution, or promotes prostitution of the actor's spouse. | N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined |
| Promoting prostitution — specified promotional conduct (subparagraphs a,b,c,f,g) | crime of the third degree | Applies to promoting prostitution under paragraph (2) of subsection b. when the conduct involves owning/controlling a house of prostitution, procuring an inmate/place, causing another to become a prostitute, transporting a person for prostitution, or knowingly permitting a place to be used for prostitution. | N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined |
| Promoting prostitution — other promotional conduct (subparagraphs d,e) | crime of the fourth degree | Applies to promoting prostitution under paragraph (2) of subsection b. when the conduct does not fall within subparagraph (a), (b), (c), (f), or (g) of paragraph (4) of subsection a, i.e., soliciting a patron or procuring a prostitute for a patron. | N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined |
| Patronizing prostitution — repeat offense (2nd or 3rd conviction) | crime of the fourth degree | Applies when a person has a second or third conviction for engaging in prostitution as a patron under paragraph (1) of subsection b. | N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined |
| Patronizing prostitution — 4th or subsequent conviction | crime of the third degree | Applies when a person has a fourth or subsequent conviction for engaging in prostitution as a patron under paragraph (1) of subsection b. | N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined |
| Patronizing prostitution — first offense | disorderly persons offense | Applies to a first offense of engaging in prostitution as a patron under paragraph (1) of subsection b. | N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined |
| Personally offering sexual activity for economic value — first offense | disorderly persons offense | Applies to a first offense of personally offering sexual activity in exchange for something of economic value under paragraph (8) of subsection b. | N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined |
| Personally offering sexual activity for economic value — repeat offense | crime of the fourth degree | Applies when a person has a second or subsequent conviction for personally offering sexual activity in exchange for something of economic value under paragraph (8) of subsection b. | N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined |
Common questions about prostitution and related offenses in New jersey
What degree of offense is prostitution and related offenses in New Jersey?
It depends on the circumstances: prostitution and related offenses ranges from a disorderly persons offense to a crime of the first degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1.
Promoting prostitution of a child under 18 / of one's own child, ward, or dependent: crime of the first degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined) · Engaging in prostitution with or soliciting a child under 18: crime of the second degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined) · Compelling another to engage in or promote prostitution / promoting prostitution of spouse: crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined) · Promoting prostitution — specified promotional conduct (subparagraphs a,b,c,f,g): crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined) · Promoting prostitution — other promotional conduct (subparagraphs d,e): crime of the fourth degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined) · Patronizing prostitution — repeat offense (2nd or 3rd conviction): crime of the fourth degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined) · Patronizing prostitution — 4th or subsequent conviction: crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined) · Patronizing prostitution — first offense: disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined) · Personally offering sexual activity for economic value — first offense: disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined) · Personally offering sexual activity for economic value — repeat offense: crime of the fourth degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1undefined)
What are the penalties for prostitution and related offenses in New Jersey?
Which New Jersey statute covers prostitution and related offenses?
Prostitution and related offenses is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:34-1 (Prostitution and related offenses).
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.