Legal Definitions - patronizing a prostitute

Patronizing a prostitute refers to the criminal offense committed by an individual who pays, offers to pay, or agrees to pay money or other valuable consideration in exchange for a sexual act. This charge specifically applies to the person who seeks or receives the sexual service, rather than the person who provides it.

Here are some examples to illustrate this legal term:

• Example 1: Street Solicitation
  A driver pulls their car alongside an individual standing on a street corner known for prostitution and offers a specific amount of cash in exchange for a sexual act. If the driver makes this offer, they could be charged with patronizing a prostitute, as they are requesting a sexual act for a fee.

• Example 2: Online Arrangement
  An individual uses an encrypted messaging application to communicate with another person, agreeing to meet at a private residence and pay a set sum of money for a sexual encounter. Upon arriving and exchanging the money for the agreed-upon service, the individual would be considered to have secured the performance of a sexual act for a fee, thus patronizing a prostitute.

• Example 3: Business Establishment
  A customer visits a seemingly legitimate massage parlor but, during the session, offers the masseuse an additional payment specifically for a sexual act. If the masseuse accepts and performs the act, the customer has engaged in requesting and securing a sexual act for a fee within a commercial setting, which constitutes patronizing a prostitute.