Prostitution Laws And Penalties In Arizona Under 13-3214
Prostitution Laws and Penalties in
Arizona – A.R.S. § 13-3214
Prostitution charges in Arizona carry serious, mandatory penalties—even for first-time offenders. Under A.R.S. § 13-3214, knowingly engaging in prostitution is a criminal offense with mandatory jail time starting at 15 days for a first conviction. If you or a loved one is facing charges under this statute, it’s critical to understand what the law says, what the penalties are, and how a skilled criminal defense attorney can help.
What Is Prohibited Under A.R.S. § 13-3214?
The Arizona statute governing prostitution—A.R.S. § 13-3214(A)—states:
“It is unlawful for a person to knowingly engage in prostitution.”
The statutory language is simple, but the consequences are anything but. Even though the law doesn’t go into great detail, Arizona’s conservative stance on sexual conduct-related offenses results in harsh, non-negotiable penalties, especially for repeat offenses.
Whether you are accused of offering, soliciting, or engaging in prostitution, if the act meets the legal definition and you are found guilty, you face mandatory jail time.
Penalties for Prostitution in Arizona
Under A.R.S. § 13-3214, the penalties increase significantly with each additional conviction:
- First Offense – Class 1 Misdemeanor
Mandatory minimum: 15 days in jail- No eligibility for probation or suspended sentence
- No eligibility for probation or suspended sentence
- Second Offense – Class 1 Misdemeanor
Mandatory minimum: 30 days in jail- Still no eligibility for probation or suspension
- Still no eligibility for probation or suspension
- Third Offense – Class 1 Misdemeanor
Mandatory minimum: 60 days in jail - Fourth or Subsequent Offense – Class 5 Felony
Mandatory minimum: 180 days in jail- Possible state prison time
- No probation or sentence suspension allowed
- Possible state prison time
In addition to jail time, the court may impose additional penalties, such as:
- Probation
- Mandatory education or treatment programs
- Court fines and fees
These consequences can have a lasting impact on your life, reputation, and future opportunities.
Even if the conviction is for a misdemeanor, the social stigma and the public court record can affect employment, housing, and relationships. Many of our clients are good people caught in a difficult or misunderstood situation, and the penalties often don’t reflect the context or intent of what happened.
Unfortunately, because of the mandatory sentencing requirements, even judges do not have the discretion to waive jail time once a conviction is entered.
At our firm, we explore every available legal defense to prevent a conviction under A.R.S. § 13-3214. Some potential strategies include:
- Challenging the legal definition of prostitution
- Arguing lack of intent or knowledge (required by the statute)
- Raising constitutional defenses such as unlawful search and seizure
- Evaluating entrapment or misconduct by law enforcement
- Negotiating for reduced or alternative charges that do not carry mandatory jail
Our goal is always to protect your record, avoid jail time, and help you move forward with your life.
If you’ve had any contact with law enforcement about a prostitution-related investigation or have already been charged, the time to act is now. Early legal intervention gives you the best chance at avoiding charges, reducing penalties, or finding a path to dismissal.
We offer free, confidential case evaluations and will walk you through what to expect and how to best protect yourself.
Call Now for a Free Case Evaluation
At R&R Law Group, we understand how difficult and stressful these charges can be. We provide non-judgmental, aggressive legal defense to help you navigate this challenging situation with clarity and support.
📞 Call us today at (602) 497-3088
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