Legal Definitions - anti-john law

An anti-john law is a criminal statute specifically designed to punish individuals who attempt to purchase or solicit sexual services from a prostitute. These laws focus on the demand side of prostitution, targeting the customers rather than the individuals offering the services.

• Example 1: A city police department conducts an undercover sting operation in an area known for prostitution. An undercover officer poses as a sex worker, and when a driver pulls over and offers money in exchange for sexual acts, the driver is immediately arrested and charged under the city's anti-john ordinance.

  Explanation: This scenario demonstrates an anti-john law in action because the individual attempting to purchase sexual services (the "john") is the one being prosecuted, not the person posing as the prostitute.

• Example 2: A man responds to an online advertisement for escort services. After arranging a meeting at a hotel room, he arrives and discusses payment for sexual acts with the person he believes to be the escort. Unknown to him, the person is an undercover detective. Upon offering payment, the man is arrested and faces charges under a state law that criminalizes the solicitation of prostitution.

  Explanation: This example illustrates an anti-john law because the man, as the prospective customer, is targeted for attempting to solicit and pay for sexual services, regardless of whether the act was completed or if the other party was genuinely a prostitute.

• Example 3: A state legislature passes a new law that not only imposes fines and jail time on individuals convicted of soliciting prostitution but also mandates participation in an educational program focused on the harms of sex trafficking. This law is specifically written to apply to those who seek to purchase sexual services.

  Explanation: This new legislation functions as an anti-john law because its penalties and requirements are directed squarely at the customers of prostitution, aiming to deter the demand for such services.