We often separate prostitutes and escorts in our minds. When we think of a "prostitute," we picture someone on a street corner calling out, "Hey, baby! Want a date?! Escorts are typically paid for their time, while prostitutes are paid for sex. But if an escort agrees to have sex with their date after an event, it's still considered prostitution under Texas law.
Under Texas law, you could face a felony charge for soliciting prostitution whether you hire a prostitute or an escort. According to the Texas Attorney General's office , every year, people post more than 1.
Human trafficking has become a huge problem in Texas, with the exploitation of women, children, and men for forced sex for money by a third person. The biggest risk factors that can make a child or young person susceptible to sex trafficking include running away from home and substance abuse. With greater awareness about sex trafficking, the Texas legislature recently overhauled our state prostitution laws to crack down on soliciting prostitution and the sex trafficking trade.
While the intent of the Texas legislature is admirable, people who make mistakes without understanding the serious consequences of human trafficking or the legal penalties can face felony charges. If you're facing felony prostitution charges, you could face severe penalties, large fines, and time in jail. In the long term, you could lose your personal and professional reputation, job, career, and family. While prostitution is typically a misdemeanor for a first offense, soliciting prostitution is much more serious.
Because of the prevalence of underage and vulnerable people in the prostitution trade, Texas law treats convictions for prostitution seriously. First and second prostitution charges are typically misdemeanor crimes in Texas. Someone commits prostitution "if the person knowingly offers or agrees to receive a fee from another to engage in sexual conduct. However, after three or more previous convictions for prostitution, a prostitution charge becomes a state jail felony. You could also face a state jail felony or third-degree felony charge if it happens near a school or school function or an event held by the University Interscholastic League.
