2010 Rhode Island Code
Title 11 Criminal Offenses
CHAPTER 11-34.1 Commercial Sexual Activity
§ 11-34.1-2 Prostitution.

§ 11-34.1-2 Prostitution. – (a) A person is guilty of prostitution when such person engages or agrees or offers to engage in sexual conduct with another person in return for a fee. Any person found guilty under this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six (6) months, or to a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.

(b) Any person found guilty of a subsequent offense under this section shall be subject to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.

(c) Any proceeds derived directly from a violation of this section are subject to seizure and forfeiture and further proceedings shall be had for their forfeiture as is prescribed by law in chapter 21 of title 12.

(d) In any prosecution for a violation under this section it shall be an affirmative defense if the accused was forced to commit a commercial sexual activity by:

(1) Being threatened or, subjected to physical harm;

(2) Being physically restrained or threatened to be physically restrained;

(3) Being subject to threats of abuse of law or legal process;

(4) Being subject to destruction, concealment, removal or confiscation, of any passport or other immigration document, or any other actual or purported governmental identification document; or

(5) Being subject to intimidation in which the accused's physical well being was perceived as threatened.
History of Section.
(P.L. 2009, ch. 185, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 186, § 1.)