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Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5902 (2026)

 Prostitution.

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§ 5902.  Prostitution.

(a)  Prostitution.--An adult is guilty of prostitution if he or she:

(1)  engages in sexual activity as a business; or

(2)  loiters in or within view of any public place for the purpose of being hired to engage in sexual activity.

(a.1)  Grading of offenses under subsection (a).--An offense under subsection (a) constitutes a misdemeanor of the third degree.

(1)  (Deleted by amendment).

(2)  (Deleted by amendment).

(3)  (Deleted by amendment).

(4)  (Deleted by amendment).

(b)  Promoting prostitution.--(Deleted by amendment).

(b.1)  Promoting prostitution of minor.--(Deleted by amendment).

(c)  Grading of offenses under subsection (b).--(Deleted by amendment).

(d)  Living off prostitutes.--(Deleted by amendment).

(e)  Patronizing prostitutes.--(Deleted by amendment).

(e.1)  Grading of offenses under subsection (e).--(Deleted by amendment).

(e.2)  Publication of sentencing order.--(Deleted by amendment).

(f)  Definitions.--As used in this section the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:

"House of prostitution."  (Deleted by amendment).

"Inmate."  (Deleted by amendment).

"Minor."  An individual under 18 years of age.

"Public place."  Any place to which the public or any substantial group thereof has access.

"Sexual activity."  Includes sexual intercourse and deviate sexual intercourse, as those terms are defined in section 3101 (relating to definitions), and any touching on the sexual or other intimate parts of an individual for the purpose of gratifying sexual desire of either person.

(Oct. 4, 1978, P.L.909, No.173, eff. 60 days; Feb. 2, 1990, P.L.6, No.4, eff. 60 days; July 9, 1992, P.L.685, No.100, eff. 60 days; Mar. 31, 1995, 1st Sp.Sess., P.L.985, No.10, eff. 60 days; July 6, 1995, P.L.242, No.28, eff. 60 days; Dec. 20, 2000, P.L.973, No.134, eff. 60 days; Dec. 20, 2011, P.L.446, No.111, eff. 60 days; July 11, 2022, P.L.761, No.73, eff. 60 days; July 20, 2026, P.L.492, No.41, eff. 60 days)

 

Cross References.  Section 5902 is referred to in sections 3001, 3013, 3019, 3064, 3065, 5708, 6318, 9122 of this title; sections 5329, 6344 of Title 23 (Domestic Relations); sections 5552, 5920, 9718.1, 9799.55 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 92 cases (12 in the last 5 years), 1977–2025 · leading case: A.S. v. Pennsylvania State Police, 143 A.3d 896 (Pa. 2016).
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A.S. v. Pennsylvania State Police, 143 A.3d 896 (Pa. 2016). · cites it 2× “18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(b) or (b.1) (relating to prostitution and related offenses) where the actor promotes the prostitution of a minor.”
Commonwealth v. Gill, 432 A.2d 1001 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1981). · cites it 9× “Appellants Gill, Dremsek and Kicielinski were charged with offenses involving prostitution, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5902, arising from the operation of the "Spartacus Lounge" in McKees Rocks.”
Commonwealth v. Finnegan, 421 A.2d 1086 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1980). · cites it 7× “Appellant’s first contention on appeal is that the statute punishing prostitution (18 Pa.C.S. § 5902) is unconstitutional because it violates the equal protection clause of the fourteenth amendment of the United States Constitution and the equal rights amendment of the…”
Commonwealth v. Bleigh, 586 A.2d 450 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1991). · cites it 6× “In the present Act [18 Pa.C.S. § 5902], the Legislature did not eradicate the commonly understood definition of prostitution but merely clarified it to include “homosexual and other deviate sexual relations.”
Commonwealth v. Gehris, 54 A.3d 862 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2012). · cites it 2× “18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(b) (relating to prostitution and related offenses) where the actor promotes the prostitution of a minor.”
Commonwealth v. Grekis, 601 A.2d 1284 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1992). · cites it 2× “18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(a). The amended information charged appellant with criminal solicitation to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.”
Gundy v. Commonwealth, 478 A.2d 139 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1984). · cites it 2× “18 Pa. C. S. §5902. We note that Section 21.”
Commonwealth v. Birdseye, 637 A.2d 1036 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1994). · cites it 2× “In this case, the District Attorney sought authorization to intercept the telephone communications of the Birdseyes concerning offenses in violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5902 (prostitution and related offenses) and 18 Pa.”
K.T. v. L.S., 118 A.3d 1136 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(b) (relating to prostitution and related offenses).”
Commonwealth v. Danko, 421 A.2d 1165 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1980). · cites it 2× “18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(a). Appellant attacks the constitutionality of this section on the grounds that it implicates speech protected by the First Amendment, 4 is unconstitutionally vague in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment, and represents .”
Commonwealth v. Wilson, 910 A.2d 10 (Pa. 2006). · cites it 2× “§ 4302 (incest) where the victim is 12 years of age or older but under 18 years of age; 18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(b) (prostitution and related offenses) where the actor promotes the prostitution of a minor; 18 Pa.”
Commonwealth v. Pinhas, 436 A.2d 618 (Pa. 1981). · cites it 4× “[3] Section 5902(a) of the Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(a). [4] A plea bargain offered on the condition that it be accepted by all three defendants was withdrawn when only two defendants indicated a willingness to accept it.”
Show all 92 citing cases →
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5902(a): 11 cases
Commonwealth v. Gill, 432 A.2d 1001 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1981). “Appellants Gill, Dremsek and Kicielinski were charged with offenses involving prostitution, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5902, arising from the operation of the "Spartacus Lounge" in McKees Rocks.”
Commonwealth v. Bleigh, 586 A.2d 450 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1991). “In the present Act [18 Pa.C.S. § 5902], the Legislature did not eradicate the commonly understood definition of prostitution but merely clarified it to include “homosexual and other deviate sexual relations.”
Commonwealth v. Grekis, 601 A.2d 1284 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1992). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(a). The amended information charged appellant with criminal solicitation to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.”
Commonwealth v. Danko, 421 A.2d 1165 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1980). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(a). Appellant attacks the constitutionality of this section on the grounds that it implicates speech protected by the First Amendment, 4 is unconstitutionally vague in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment, and represents .”
Choe v. Philadelphia Bd. of License & Inspection, 847 A.2d 214 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2004).
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5902(a)(1): 8 cases
Commonwealth v. Potts, 460 A.2d 1127 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1983).
Commonwealth v. Danko, 421 A.2d 1165 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1980). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(a). Appellant attacks the constitutionality of this section on the grounds that it implicates speech protected by the First Amendment, 4 is unconstitutionally vague in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment, and represents .”
Com. v. Edwards, K., 307 A.3d 796, 2023 PA Super 277 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023).
Commonwealth v. Gill, 432 A.2d 1001 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1981). “Appellants Gill, Dremsek and Kicielinski were charged with offenses involving prostitution, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5902, arising from the operation of the "Spartacus Lounge" in McKees Rocks.”
Com. v. Sun Cha Chon, 983 A.2d 784 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2009).
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5902(a)(2): 2 cases
Commonwealth v. Roberson, 444 A.2d 722 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1982).
T.E. Huyett v. PSP, No. T.E. Huyett v. PSP - 516 M.D. 2015 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Aug. 17, 2017).
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5902(b): 24 cases
A.S. v. Pennsylvania State Police, 143 A.3d 896 (Pa. 2016). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(b) or (b.1) (relating to prostitution and related offenses) where the actor promotes the prostitution of a minor.”
Commonwealth v. Gehris, 54 A.3d 862 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2012). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(b) (relating to prostitution and related offenses) where the actor promotes the prostitution of a minor.”
K.T. v. L.S., 118 A.3d 1136 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(b) (relating to prostitution and related offenses).”
Commonwealth v. Wilson, 910 A.2d 10 (Pa. 2006). “§ 4302 (incest) where the victim is 12 years of age or older but under 18 years of age; 18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(b) (prostitution and related offenses) where the actor promotes the prostitution of a minor; 18 Pa.”
Commonwealth v. Gill, 432 A.2d 1001 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1981). “Appellants Gill, Dremsek and Kicielinski were charged with offenses involving prostitution, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5902, arising from the operation of the "Spartacus Lounge" in McKees Rocks.”
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5902(b)(1): 13 cases
Commonwealth v. Finnegan, 421 A.2d 1086 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1980). “Appellant’s first contention on appeal is that the statute punishing prostitution (18 Pa.C.S. § 5902) is unconstitutional because it violates the equal protection clause of the fourteenth amendment of the United States Constitution and the equal rights amendment of the…”
Commonwealth v. Blankenbiller, 524 A.2d 976 (Pa. 1987).
Com. v. Sun Cha Chon, 983 A.2d 784 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2009).
Commonwealth v. Wallace, 437 A.2d 996 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1981).
Com. v. Lu, C., 2019 PA Super 339.
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5902(b)(3): 13 cases
Commonwealth v. Lee, 396 A.2d 724 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1978).
Com. v. I.B. Pearson, No. 203 C.D. 2017 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Oct. 23, 2017).
Com. v. Morrison, S., No. 1098 MDA 2023 (Pa. Super. Ct. Sept. 16, 2024).
Commonwealth v. Sabol, 10 Pa. D. & C.4th 12 (1990).
Com. v. Pearson, I., No. 1158 EDA 2016 (Pa. Super. Ct. Apr. 18, 2017).
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5902(b)(5): 1 case
Commonwealth v. Finnegan, 421 A.2d 1086 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1980). “Appellant’s first contention on appeal is that the statute punishing prostitution (18 Pa.C.S. § 5902) is unconstitutional because it violates the equal protection clause of the fourteenth amendment of the United States Constitution and the equal rights amendment of the…”
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5902(b)(6): 2 cases
Com. v. Morrison, S., No. 1374 MDA 2019 (Pa. Super. Ct. Dec. 23, 2020).
Mable v. Garman, No. 1:19-cv-01392 (M.D. Pa. Mar. 20, 2020).
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5902(b)(7): 3 cases
Commonwealth v. Grekis, 601 A.2d 1284 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1992). “18 Pa.C.S. § 5902(a). The amended information charged appellant with criminal solicitation to commit involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.”
Commonwealth v. Birdseye, 637 A.2d 1036 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1994). “In this case, the District Attorney sought authorization to intercept the telephone communications of the Birdseyes concerning offenses in violation of 18 Pa.C.S. § 5902 (prostitution and related offenses) and 18 Pa.”
Com. v. Morrison, S., No. 1374 MDA 2019 (Pa. Super. Ct. Dec. 23, 2020).
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5902(b)(8): 2 cases
Com. v. Jacobs, S., No. 3300 EDA 2017 (Pa. Super. Ct. Oct. 2, 2018).
Com. v. Morrison, S., No. 1374 MDA 2019 (Pa. Super. Ct. Dec. 23, 2020).
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5902(c): 1 case
Commonwealth v. Gallagher, 924 A.2d 636 (Pa. 2007).
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5902(d): 1 case
Commonwealth v. Morrell, 41 Pa. D. & C.3d 476 (1986).
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5902(e): 8 cases
Commonwealth v. Sampson, 378 A.2d 874 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1977).
Commonwealth v. Mita, 41 Pa. D. & C.3d 607 (1986).
Com. v. Pham, C., No. 1958 EDA 2015 (Pa. Super. Ct. Nov. 22, 2016).
Com. v. Pham, C., No. 1958 EDA 2015 (Pa. Super. Ct. Nov. 22, 2016).
Com. v. Pham, C., No. 2207 EDA 2018 (Pa. Super. Ct. Aug. 7, 2019).
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5902(f): 4 cases
Commonwealth v. Bleigh, 586 A.2d 450 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1991). “In the present Act [18 Pa.C.S. § 5902], the Legislature did not eradicate the commonly understood definition of prostitution but merely clarified it to include “homosexual and other deviate sexual relations.”
Commonwealth v. Sale, 577 A.2d 214 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1990).
Com. v. Chang, P., No. 248 EDA 2018 (Pa. Super. Ct. June 26, 2019).
Commonwealth v. Johnson, 47 Pa. D. & C.3d 261 (1986).
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