Penal Code 647(b) – Prostitution Solicitation

Penal Code 647(b) in California deals with prostitution solicitation. It states:

“647. Except as provided in subdivision (l), every person who commits any of the following acts is guilty of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor:

(b) Who solicits or who agrees to engage in or who engages in any act of prostitution. A person agrees to engage in an act of prostitution when, with specific intent to so engage, he or she manifests an acceptance of an offer or solicitation to so engage, regardless of whether the offer or solicitation was made by a person who also possessed the specific intent to engage in prostitution. No agreement to engage in an act of prostitution shall constitute a violation of this subdivision unless some act, in addition to the agreement, is done within this state in furtherance of the commission of an act of prostitution by the person agreeing to engage in that act.”

In simpler terms, Penal Code 647(b) makes it a misdemeanor offense in California for a person to engage in or agree to engage in an act of prostitution. This includes not only the actual act but also the solicitation or agreement to engage in prostitution. It’s important to note that an agreement to engage in prostitution must involve some additional act in furtherance of the agreement to constitute a violation of this law.

If convicted under Penal Code 647(b), individuals may face criminal penalties, including fines and potentially jail time. Prostitution laws and penalties can vary by jurisdiction.