Missouri Laws 567.030 – Patronizing prostitution — penalty
1. A person commits the offense of patronizing prostitution if he or she:
(1) Pursuant to a prior understanding, gives something of value to another person as compensation for having engaged in sexual conduct with any person; or
Attorney's Note
Under the Missouri Laws, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class D felony | up to 7 years | up to $10,000 |
| Class E felony | up to 4 years | up to $10,000 |
| Class B misdemeanor | up to 6 months | up to $1,000 |
Terms Used In Missouri Laws 567.030
- person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- Sexual conduct: sexual intercourse, deviate sexual intercourse, or sexual contact. See Missouri Laws 567.010
- Something of value: any money or property, or any token, object or article exchangeable for money or property. See Missouri Laws 567.010
(2) Gives or agrees to give something of value to another person with the understanding that such person or another person will engage in sexual conduct with any person; or
(3) Solicits or requests another person to engage in sexual conduct with any person in return for something of value.
2. It shall not be a defense that the person believed that the individual he or she patronized for prostitution was eighteen years of age or older.
3. The offense of patronizing prostitution is a class B misdemeanor, unless the individual who the person patronizes is less than eighteen years of age but older than fourteen years of age, in which case patronizing prostitution is a class E felony.
4. The offense of patronizing prostitution is a class D felony if the individual who the person patronizes is fourteen years of age or younger. Nothing in this section shall preclude the prosecution of an individual for the offenses of:
(1) Statutory rape in the first degree pursuant to section 566.032;
(2) Statutory rape in the second degree pursuant to section 566.034;
(3) Statutory sodomy in the first degree pursuant to section 566.062; or
(4) Statutory sodomy in the second degree pursuant to section 566.064.