What Is Considered a Sex Crime?

A sex crime is any criminal offense in which sexual activity plays a role in the commission of the crime. Sex crimes can be charged as either misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the case's circumstances and the offense's severity. 

Are Solicitation & Prostitution Considered Sex Crimes? 

It’s illegal in the state of California for individuals to engage in or solicit prostitution. Both the sex worker and the client are liable to be arrested and charged for this crime. The law defines prostitution as the exchange of services, money, goods, or other compensation for sexual or lewd acts. 

This means you could be arrested if you are caught:

• Engaging in prostitution
• Soliciting an act of prostitution 
• Agreeing to engage in an act of prostitution 

What Is Considered a Lewd Act?

A lewd act is the touching of a body part with the intent to arouse someone sexually. 

These body parts usually are:

• Female breasts
• Genitals
• Buttocks

A common example of the solicitation of a lewd act would be going somewhere like a massage parlor with the intent of receiving a massage for sexual gratification. The owner, masseuse, and client could all receive a lewd act charge if they were consciously involved in the act.

Is Pandering the Same Charge as Pimping?

While pandering and pimping are both criminal acts related to prostitution, they are two separate crimes. Pimping is the collection of money or other compensation earned in exchange for a prostitute engaging in a sexual act with another person. 

Pandering is the coercion of someone into becoming a prostitute or continuing this work. Pandering can be persuasion through the threat of violence or even talking someone into the profession with manipulative wording.