Patronizing a Prostitute

Like most states, Washington makes patronizing a prostitute a crime, although here it is simply a misdemeanor, meaning punishable by up to 90 days in jail and $1000 in fines. RCW 9A.88.110 provides that a person is guilty of patronizing a prostitute if:

• a) Pursuant to a prior understanding, he or she pays a fee to another person as compensation for such person or a third person having engaged in sexual conduct with him or her; or
• b) He or she pays or agrees to pay a fee to another person pursuant to an understanding that in return therefor such person will engage in sexual conduct with him or her; or
• c) He or she solicits or requests another person to engage in sexual conduct with him or her in return for a fee.

"Sexual contact" means "sexual intercourse" or "sexual contact" which are defined by RCW 9A.44.010. All persons convicted of this offense must be assessed a $150 fee. An officer has the discretion to impound a person arrested for patronizing a prostate if: a) it was used in the commission of the crime, b) the person arrested owns the vehicle or it was a rental car, and c) the defendant has particular prior offenses or the offense is alleged to have occurred in a designated prostitution impound area. The gender of the two parties is immaterial. Many cities have likewise enacted their own statutes, or have incorporated the RCW into their municipal code. Examples include Everett (10.24.140), Lake Stevens (9.16.070), Monroe (9.06.060), Mount Vernon (9.20.070 ), and Seattle (12A.10.040) as cities that have their own code. Others, like Bellingham, Lynnwood, Marysville and Shoreline, have incorporated the statute.