In general, escorts are people who provide their companionship to paying clients. Customers may pay an escort to accompany them to events or even to just spend time with them. Escorts are often booked by agencies or can be booked independently via online sites. Many jurisdictions require special escort licenses in order for escort companies to operate. These licenses often require extensive background checks. It is important to note that escorts are prohibited from performing sexual acts for their clients in exchange for compensation.
Any paid sexual conduct by an escort could leave the escort susceptible to prostitution charges. An escort is very different from a prostitute. Unlike escort services, prostitution is the practice of engaging in sexual activity in exchange for payment and is illegal in almost all 50 states.
Under California Penal Code Section b , an individual who solicits, agrees to engage in, or engages in any act of prostitution with the intent to receive compensation, money, or anything of value from another person is guilty of a misdemeanor.
PC Section b further states that an individual agrees to engage in an act of prostitution when the individual intentionally manifests an acceptance of an offer to so engage. While some states punish the act of prostitution, other states like California also criminalize the acts of soliciting prostitution and arranging for prostitution. Solicitation in this context means to request that someone else engage in intercourse or a lewd act in exchange for compensation.
In California, prostitution is generally charged as a misdemeanor. The penalties for first time offenses include:. For subsequent prostitution convictions, the penalties are a minimum of 45 days in jail for a second offense and a minimum of 90 days for a third offense. Sex offender registration is generally not required for prostitution or solicitation unless you are charged in conjunction with another sex-related crime.
