New York Patronizing Prostitution Frequently Asked Questions

Patronizing prostitution is paying a fee, per a prior agreement, to another person for having sex, or to ask a person to have sex in return for a fee. The fee does not have to be money. It can be the exchange of anything of value.

In New York as in all states except Nevada, prostitution is a crime. However, it is not considered a serious crime, typically resulting in a misdemeanor charge. There are related crimes such as promoting prostitution that are considered more serious and are sometimes classified as felonies.

Promoting prostitution refers to activities by third parties that advance the crime of prostitution or profit from it. Promoting prostitution may include activities such as causing or aiding a person to engage in prostitution, pimping, procuring or soliciting customers for prostitution, or owning, investing in, controlling, or supervising a prostitution enterprise. Depending on the specific activity and the jurisdiction, promoting prostitution can be a misdemeanor or a felony.