567.030. Patronizing prostitution — penalty.
It’s illegal to pay or offer to pay for sex in Missouri.
This law makes it a crime to pay, offer to pay, or ask someone for sex in exchange for money or anything valuable. The penalties are more serious if a child is involved.
1. A person commits the offense or patronizing prostitution if they:
- Pay someone for sex after it already happened;
- Offer to pay for sex in the future; or
- Ask someone to engage in sex for something of value.
2. It is not a defense to say you thought the person was 18 or older.
3. The punishment is usually a class B misdemeanor. But if the person involved is under 18 (but older than 14), it becomes a class E felony.
4. If the person is 14 or younger, it becomes a class D felony. The person can also be charged with more serious crimes like:
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Missouri criminal defense lawyer.
