Mo. Rev. Stat. » Chapter 567
Missouri Revised Statutes

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 567.020 (2026)

Prostitution

✓ current as of May 2026
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  567.020.  Prostitution — penalty — no certification as an adult, when. — 1.  A person commits the offense of prostitution if he or she engages in or offers or agrees to engage in sexual conduct with another person in return for something of value to be received by any person.

  2.  The offense of prostitution is a class B misdemeanor unless the person knew prior to performing the act of prostitution that he or she was infected with HIV in which case prostitution is a class B felony.  The use of condoms is not a defense to this offense.

  3.  As used in this section, "HIV" means the human immunodeficiency virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

  4.  The judge may order a drug and alcohol abuse treatment program for any person found guilty of prostitution, either after trial or upon a plea of guilty, before sentencing.  For the class B misdemeanor offense, upon the successful completion of such program by the defendant, the court may at its discretion allow the defendant to withdraw the plea of guilty or reverse the verdict and enter a judgment of not guilty.  For the class B felony offense, the court shall not allow the defendant to withdraw the plea of guilty or reverse the verdict and enter a judgment of not guilty.  The judge, however, has discretion to take into consideration successful completion of a drug or alcohol treatment program in determining the defendant's sentence.

  5.  A person shall not be certified as an adult or adjudicated as a delinquent for the offense of prostitution under this section if the person was under the age of eighteen at the time the offense occurred.  In such cases where the person was under the age of eighteen, the person shall be classified as a victim of abuse, as defined under section 210.110, and such abuse shall be reported immediately to the children's division, as required under section 210.115 and to the juvenile officer for appropriate services, treatment, investigation, and other proceedings as provided under chapters 207, 210, and 211.  Upon request, the local law enforcement agency and the prosecuting attorney shall assist the children's division and the juvenile officer in conducting the investigation.

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(L. 1977 S.B. 60, A.L. 1997 S.B. 347, A.L. 2002 H.B. 1756, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491, A.L. 2018 S.B. 793, A.L. 2019 H.B. 397, A.L. 2022 S.B. 775, et al.)

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7 cases, 1984–2016 · leading case: State v. Wahl, 89 S.W.3d 513 (Mo. Ct. App. 2002).
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State v. Wahl, 89 S.W.3d 513 (Mo. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 7× “Wahl, defendant, appeals from the judgment entered following the verdict of the jury finding him guilty of prostitution, section 567.020, RSMo 2000 (hereafter, all statutory references are to RSMo 2000).”
State v. Roberts, 779 S.W.2d 576 (Mo. Ct. App. 1989). · cites it 5× “The State charged Roberts with a violation of Section 567.020, RSMo 1986. The information stated that “the defendant performed an act of prostitution in that defendant agreed to engage in deviate sexual intercourse with Timothy Gee, in return for money.”
State v. Fredrickson, 689 S.W.2d 58 (Mo. Ct. App. 1984). · cites it 2× “Note that subsection (1) excludes prostitutes and patrons because their conduct is specifically covered in Sections 567.020 and 567.030 ... Our standard of review in this case requires that we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the state and *61 accept all…”
State v. Koch, 504 S.W.3d 84 (Mo. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 2× “Louis County convicting her of one count of the class B misdemeanor of prostitution, in violation of § 567.020, RSMo (2000). On appeal, Defendant contends the trial court erred in denying her motion to suppress evidence.”
State v. Stiff, 712 S.W.2d 52 (Mo. Ct. App. 1986). · cites it 5× “This is an appeal from a judgment on a jury verdict finding appellant guilty of prostitution in violation of § 567.020 RSMo. 1978. Appellant was sentenced to six months in the county jail and ordered to pay a $500.”
State v. Wahl, 89 S.W.3d 517 (Mo. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 3× “Wahl, defendant, appeals from the judgment entered following the jury verdict finding her guilty of prostitution, section 567.020 RSMo (2000). Defendant was sentenced to pay á fine of $300.”
State v. Hughes, 696 S.W.2d 837 (Mo. Ct. App. 1985). · cites it 3× “Appeal from jury trial conviction for prostitution, section 567.020, RSMo 1978, and sentence of ninety days confinement in county jail.”
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