{ "batch": "167-california-prostitution-statute-every-section", "articles": [ { "id": "learn_r167_california_prostitution_statute_every_section_167_ca_pen_anchor_title15ch2", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] California Penal Code, Part 1: Anchor citation: the chapter that holds the prostitution offences", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] The California prostitution offences sit in the Penal Code, Part 1, Title 15 (MISCELLANEOUS CRIMES [626 - 653.75]), Chapter 2 (Of Other and Miscellaneous Offenses [639 - 653.2]), which holds Section 647 (disorderly conduct, including prostitution and solicitation), on the official California Legislative Information site.", "body": "The California prostitution offences sit in the Penal Code, Part 1, Title 15 (MISCELLANEOUS CRIMES [626 - 653.75]), Chapter 2 (Of Other and Miscellaneous Offenses [639 - 653.2]), which holds Section 647 (disorderly conduct, including prostitution and solicitation), on the official California Legislative Information site.\n\nWhat California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) actually says:\n\n“TITLE 15. MISCELLANEOUS CRIMES [626 - 653.75] ( Title 15 enacted 1872. )CHAPTER 2. Of Other and Miscellaneous Offenses [639 - 653.2] ( Chapter 2 enacted 1872. )”\n\nNote: Anchor record. Title 15 Chapter 2 holds the principal prostitution/solicitation statute, Penal Code 647. Related offences sit in Title 15 Chapter 2.5 (loitering for prostitution, 653.23-653.29) covered in separate records, and in Title 9 Chapter 1 (pimping/pandering 266h-266i, purchasing a person 266e, inveigling a minor 266). Every later record here is cited under this Title 15 Chapter 2 anchor.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&division=&title=15.&part=1.&chapter=2.&article=", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)", "evidence_quote": "TITLE 15. MISCELLANEOUS CRIMES [626 - 653.75] ( Title 15 enacted 1872. )CHAPTER 2. Of Other and Miscellaneous Offenses [639 - 653.2] ( Chapter 2 enacted 1872. )", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "167-california-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "California Penal Code, Part 1", "topic": "Anchor citation: the chapter that holds the prostitution offences", "applies_to_country": "us", "applies_to_scope": "Batch default region us-ca", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-ca" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r167_california_prostitution_statute_every_section_167_ca_pen_647b1_solicit_receive", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] California Penal Code 647(b)(1): Prohibition on soliciting, agreeing to engage in, or engaging in an act of prostitution to receive compensation", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Penal Code 647(b)(1) makes it disorderly conduct (a misdemeanor) for an individual to solicit, agree to engage in, or engage in an act of prostitution with the intent to receive compensation, money, or anything of value; the offence therefore turns on both a fee (intent to receive compensation) and a contact (an act of prostitution).", "body": "Penal Code 647(b)(1) makes it disorderly conduct (a misdemeanor) for an individual to solicit, agree to engage in, or engage in an act of prostitution with the intent to receive compensation, money, or anything of value; the offence therefore turns on both a fee (intent to receive compensation) and a contact (an act of prostitution).\n\nWhat California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) actually says:\n\n“An individual who solicits, or who agrees to engage in, or who engages in, an act of prostitution with the intent to receive compensation, money, or anything of value from another person. An individual agrees to engage in an act of prostitution when, with specific intent to so engage, the individual manifests an acceptance of an offer or solicitation by another person to so engage, regardless of whether the offer or solicitation was made by a person who also possessed the specific intent to engage in an act of prostitution.”\n\nNote: Receiving-money side of the prostitution offence. Text as amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 82, Sec. 4 (AB 379), effective January 1, 2026. Whether a paid on-camera performance for a commercially distributed video counts as 'an act of prostitution' here is not resolved by the statute text; see could_not_verify. The subdivision text does not mention online or electronic solicitation.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=647.", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)", "evidence_quote": "An individual who solicits, or who agrees to engage in, or who engages in, an act of prostitution with the intent to receive compensation, money, or anything of value from another person. An individual agrees to engage in an act of prostitution when, with specific intent to so engage, the individual manifests an acceptance of an offer or solicitation by another person to so engage, regardless of whether the offer or solicitation was made by a person who also possessed the specific intent to engage in an act of prostitution.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "167-california-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "California Penal Code 647(b)(1)", "topic": "Prohibition on soliciting, agreeing to engage in, or engaging in an act of prostitution to receive compensation", "applies_to_country": "us", "applies_to_scope": "Batch default region us-ca", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-ca" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "explicit_partnered" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r167_california_prostitution_statute_every_section_167_ca_pen_647b2_provide_comp", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] California Penal Code 647(b)(2): Prohibition on providing compensation for an act of prostitution (buyer/payer side, 18 or over)", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Penal Code 647(b)(2) makes it disorderly conduct (a misdemeanor) for an individual to solicit, agree to engage in, or engage in an act of prostitution with another person who is 18 or older in exchange for the individual providing compensation, money, or anything of value, i.e. it covers the person who pays for the act.", "body": "Penal Code 647(b)(2) makes it disorderly conduct (a misdemeanor) for an individual to solicit, agree to engage in, or engage in an act of prostitution with another person who is 18 or older in exchange for the individual providing compensation, money, or anything of value, i.e. it covers the person who pays for the act.\n\nWhat California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) actually says:\n\n“An individual who solicits, or who agrees to engage in, or who engages in, an act of prostitution with another person who is 18 years of age or older in exchange for the individual providing compensation, money, or anything of value to the other person. An individual agrees to engage in an act of prostitution when, with specific intent to so engage, the individual manifests an acceptance of an offer or solicitation by another person who is 18 years of age or older to so engage, regardless of whether the offer or solicitation was made by a person who also possessed the specific intent to engage in an act of prostitution.”\n\nNote: Paying side of the offence; is the subdivision that could touch a creator who pays a co-performer who is on camera. Text as amended effective January 1, 2026. Whether paying a co-performer for an on-camera scene is 'an act of prostitution' here is not resolved by the statute text; see could_not_verify.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=647.", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)", "evidence_quote": "An individual who solicits, or who agrees to engage in, or who engages in, an act of prostitution with another person who is 18 years of age or older in exchange for the individual providing compensation, money, or anything of value to the other person. An individual agrees to engage in an act of prostitution when, with specific intent to so engage, the individual manifests an acceptance of an offer or solicitation by another person who is 18 years of age or older to so engage, regardless of whether the offer or solicitation was made by a person who also possessed the specific intent to engage in an act of prostitution.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "167-california-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "California Penal Code 647(b)(2)", "topic": "Prohibition on providing compensation for an act of prostitution (buyer/payer side, 18 or over)", "applies_to_country": "us", "applies_to_scope": "Batch default region us-ca", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-ca" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "explicit_partnered" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r167_california_prostitution_statute_every_section_167_ca_pen_647b4_definition", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] California Penal Code 647(b)(4): Statutory definition of 'prostitution' and the in-state act requirement", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Penal Code 647(b)(4) defines 'prostitution' for subdivision (b) as any lewd act between persons for money or other consideration, and requires that for an acceptance of an offer to be a violation some act in addition to the acceptance must be done within California in furtherance of the act of prostitution.", "body": "Penal Code 647(b)(4) defines 'prostitution' for subdivision (b) as any lewd act between persons for money or other consideration, and requires that for an acceptance of an offer to be a violation some act in addition to the acceptance must be done within California in furtherance of the act of prostitution.\n\nWhat California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) actually says:\n\n“A manifestation of acceptance of an offer or solicitation to engage in an act of prostitution does not constitute a violation of this subdivision unless some act, in addition to the manifestation of acceptance, is done within this state in furtherance of the commission of the act of prostitution by the person manifesting an acceptance of an offer or solicitation to engage in that act. As used in this subdivision, “prostitution” includes any lewd act between persons for money or other consideration.”\n\nNote: California does not put the definition in a separate definitions section; it sits inside 647(b)(4). The definition turns on both a fee (money or other consideration) and contact (a lewd act between persons). This is the equivalent provision to state codes that use the word 'assignation'; the current 647 text uses 'act of prostitution' plus this definition, and does not itself use the word 'assignation' (the word does appear in Penal Code 266, 'house of ill fame, or of assignation', see its own record).", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=647.", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)", "evidence_quote": "A manifestation of acceptance of an offer or solicitation to engage in an act of prostitution does not constitute a violation of this subdivision unless some act, in addition to the manifestation of acceptance, is done within this state in furtherance of the commission of the act of prostitution by the person manifesting an acceptance of an offer or solicitation to engage in that act. As used in this subdivision, “prostitution” includes any lewd act between persons for money or other consideration.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "167-california-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "California Penal Code 647(b)(4)", "topic": "Statutory definition of 'prostitution' and the in-state act requirement", "applies_to_country": "us", "applies_to_scope": "Batch default region us-ca", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-ca" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "explicit_partnered" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r167_california_prostitution_statute_every_section_167_ca_pen_65323_manage_proceeds", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Loitering chapter: directing/supervising/recruiting someone into a 647(b) violation, or collecting its proceeds", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Penal Code 653.23 makes it unlawful to direct, supervise, recruit, or otherwise aid another person in committing a violation of Penal Code 647(b), or to collect or receive all or part of the proceeds earned from an act of prostitution committed by another person under 647(b); a violation of the chapter is a misdemeanor under 653.26.", "body": "Penal Code 653.23 makes it unlawful to direct, supervise, recruit, or otherwise aid another person in committing a violation of Penal Code 647(b), or to collect or receive all or part of the proceeds earned from an act of prostitution committed by another person under 647(b); a violation of the chapter is a misdemeanor under 653.26.\n\nWhat California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) actually says:\n\n“(a) It is unlawful for a person to do either of the following:(1) Direct, supervise, recruit, or otherwise aid another person in the commission of a violation of subdivision (b) of Section 647.(2) Collect or receive all or part of the proceeds earned from an act or acts of prostitution committed by another person in violation of subdivision (b) of Section 647.”\n\nNote: Could touch a creator who books, manages, or recruits another performer for a paid on-camera scene, or who collects a share of another performer's proceeds; applies in parallel with the pimping/pandering statutes 266h-266i. Subsection (b) expressly says the section does not preclude prosecution under 266h or 266i. Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 86, Sec. 5 (SB 357), effective January 1, 2023.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?article=&chapter=2.5.&division=&lawCode=PEN&part=1.&title=15.", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)", "evidence_quote": "(a) It is unlawful for a person to do either of the following:(1) Direct, supervise, recruit, or otherwise aid another person in the commission of a violation of subdivision (b) of Section 647.(2) Collect or receive all or part of the proceeds earned from an act or acts of prostitution committed by another person in violation of subdivision (b) of Section 647.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "167-california-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "California Penal Code 653.23 (Chapter 2.5)", "topic": "Loitering chapter: directing/supervising/recruiting someone into a 647(b) violation, or collecting its proceeds", "applies_to_country": "us", "applies_to_scope": "Batch default region us-ca", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "running", "region": [ "us-ca" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "explicit_partnered" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r167_california_prostitution_statute_every_section_167_ca_pen_65324_severability", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Severability clause for the loitering-for-prostitution chapter", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Penal Code 653.24 makes each provision of Chapter 2.5 severable: if any part is held invalid or unconstitutional, that holding does not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.", "body": "Penal Code 653.24 makes each provision of Chapter 2.5 severable: if any part is held invalid or unconstitutional, that holding does not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.\n\nWhat California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) actually says:\n\n“If any section, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this chapter is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, that portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct, and independent provision, and that holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of the chapter.”\n\nNote: Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 981, Sec. 4, effective January 1, 1996.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?article=&chapter=2.5.&division=&lawCode=PEN&part=1.&title=15.", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)", "evidence_quote": "If any section, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this chapter is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, that portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct, and independent provision, and that holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of the chapter.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "167-california-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "California Penal Code 653.24 (Chapter 2.5)", "topic": "Severability clause for the loitering-for-prostitution chapter", "applies_to_country": "us", "applies_to_scope": "Batch default region us-ca", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-ca" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r167_california_prostitution_statute_every_section_167_ca_pen_65325_loiter_purchase", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] California Penal Code 653.25 (Chapter 2.5): Loitering in a public place with intent to purchase commercial sex + $1,000 fine", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Penal Code 653.25 makes it unlawful for any person to loiter in a public place with the intent to purchase commercial sex and imposes, in addition to any other punishment, a $1,000 fine deposited in the Survivor Support Fund; a violation of the chapter is a misdemeanor under 653.26.", "body": "Penal Code 653.25 makes it unlawful for any person to loiter in a public place with the intent to purchase commercial sex and imposes, in addition to any other punishment, a $1,000 fine deposited in the Survivor Support Fund; a violation of the chapter is a misdemeanor under 653.26.\n\nWhat California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) actually says:\n\n“(a) It is unlawful for any person to loiter in any public place with the intent to purchase commercial sex. This intent is evidenced by acting in a manner and under circumstances that openly demonstrate the purpose of inducing, enticing, or soliciting prostitution, or procuring another to commit prostitution such as circling an area in a motor vehicle and repeatedly beckoning to, contacting, or attempting to contact or stop pedestrians or other motorists, making unauthorized stops along known prostitution tracks, or engaging in other conduct indicative of soliciting to procure another to engage in commercial sex.(b) A violation of this section shall, in addition to any other punishment, be punished by a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000). Fines collected pursuant to this subdivision shall be deposited in the Survivor Support Fund.”\n\nNote: Buyer-side loitering offence in a public place; not about online solicitation. Added by Stats. 2025, Ch. 82, Sec. 6 (AB 379), effective January 1, 2026. The fine goes to the Survivor Support Fund.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?article=&chapter=2.5.&division=&lawCode=PEN&part=1.&title=15.", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)", "evidence_quote": "(a) It is unlawful for any person to loiter in any public place with the intent to purchase commercial sex. This intent is evidenced by acting in a manner and under circumstances that openly demonstrate the purpose of inducing, enticing, or soliciting prostitution, or procuring another to commit prostitution such as circling an area in a motor vehicle and repeatedly beckoning to, contacting, or attempting to contact or stop pedestrians or other motorists, making unauthorized stops along known prostitution tracks, or engaging in other conduct indicative of soliciting to procure another to engage in commercial sex.(b) A violation of this section shall, in addition to any other punishment, be punished by a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000). Fines collected pursuant to this subdivision shall be deposited in the Survivor Support Fund.", "volatility": "medium", "from_batch": "167-california-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "California Penal Code 653.25 (Chapter 2.5)", "topic": "Loitering in a public place with intent to purchase commercial sex + $1,000 fine", "applies_to_country": "us", "applies_to_scope": "Batch default region us-ca", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-ca" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "explicit_partnered" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r167_california_prostitution_statute_every_section_167_ca_pen_65326_penalty_misdemeanor", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Penalty class for the loitering-for-prostitution chapter", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Penal Code 653.26 provides that a violation of any provision of Chapter 2.5 (Loitering for the Purpose of Engaging in a Prostitution Offense, 653.23-653.29) is a misdemeanor.", "body": "Penal Code 653.26 provides that a violation of any provision of Chapter 2.5 (Loitering for the Purpose of Engaging in a Prostitution Offense, 653.23-653.29) is a misdemeanor.\n\nWhat California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) actually says:\n\n“A violation of any provision of this chapter is a misdemeanor.”\n\nNote: Section 653.25 carries its own added $1,000 fine on top of this misdemeanor class.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?article=&chapter=2.5.&division=&lawCode=PEN&part=1.&title=15.", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)", "evidence_quote": "A violation of any provision of this chapter is a misdemeanor.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "167-california-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "California Penal Code 653.26 (Chapter 2.5)", "topic": "Penalty class for the loitering-for-prostitution chapter", "applies_to_country": "us", "applies_to_scope": "Batch default region us-ca", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-ca" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r167_california_prostitution_statute_every_section_167_ca_pen_65328_local_laws", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] California Penal Code 653.28 (Chapter 2.5): Local ordinances on prostitution are not preempted", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Penal Code 653.28 provides that Chapters 2.5 and Chapter 2 of Title 15 do not prevent local governing bodies from adopting and enforcing laws consistent with those chapters on prostitution, and that where local laws duplicate or supplement them the state chapters provide alternative remedies rather than preempting the field.", "body": "Penal Code 653.28 provides that Chapters 2.5 and Chapter 2 of Title 15 do not prevent local governing bodies from adopting and enforcing laws consistent with those chapters on prostitution, and that where local laws duplicate or supplement them the state chapters provide alternative remedies rather than preempting the field.\n\nWhat California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) actually says:\n\n“Nothing in this chapter or Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 639) shall prevent a local governing body from adopting and enforcing laws consistent with these chapters relating to prostitution or prostitution-related activity. Where local laws duplicate or supplement this chapter or Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 639), these chapters shall be construed as providing alternative remedies and not to preempt the field.”\n\nNote: Means a city or county in California can have its own prostitution-related ordinance without being preempted by the state statutes.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?article=&chapter=2.5.&division=&lawCode=PEN&part=1.&title=15.", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)", "evidence_quote": "Nothing in this chapter or Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 639) shall prevent a local governing body from adopting and enforcing laws consistent with these chapters relating to prostitution or prostitution-related activity. Where local laws duplicate or supplement this chapter or Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 639), these chapters shall be construed as providing alternative remedies and not to preempt the field.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "167-california-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "California Penal Code 653.28 (Chapter 2.5)", "topic": "Local ordinances on prostitution are not preempted", "applies_to_country": "us", "applies_to_scope": "Batch default region us-ca", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-ca" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.content", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r167_california_prostitution_statute_every_section_167_ca_pen_65329_repeal_recall", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Recall and dismissal of convictions under repealed former 653.22", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Penal Code 653.29 lets a person serving a sentence or who has completed a sentence for a conviction of violating former Section 653.22 (the now-repealed public loitering/loitering-with-intent prostitution offence) petition to have the sentence recalled or dismissed and the conviction sealed as legally invalid.", "body": "Penal Code 653.29 lets a person serving a sentence or who has completed a sentence for a conviction of violating former Section 653.22 (the now-repealed public loitering/loitering-with-intent prostitution offence) petition to have the sentence recalled or dismissed and the conviction sealed as legally invalid.\n\nWhat California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) actually says:\n\n“(a) (1) A person currently serving a sentence for a conviction of violating former Section 653.22, whether by trial or by open or negotiated plea, may petition for a recall or dismissal of sentence before the trial court that entered the judgment of conviction in the case to request resentencing or dismissal, and sealing, as applicable.”\n\nNote: Former Section 653.22 (loitering with intent to commit prostitution) was repealed by SB 357 (Stats. 2022, Ch. 86); this section provides the old-conviction recall/dismissal path. Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 131, Sec. 150 (AB 1754), effective January 1, 2024.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?article=&chapter=2.5.&division=&lawCode=PEN&part=1.&title=15.", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)", "evidence_quote": "(a) (1) A person currently serving a sentence for a conviction of violating former Section 653.22, whether by trial or by open or negotiated plea, may petition for a recall or dismissal of sentence before the trial court that entered the judgment of conviction in the case to request resentencing or dismissal, and sealing, as applicable.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "167-california-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "California Penal Code 653.29 (Chapter 2.5)", "topic": "Recall and dismissal of convictions under repealed former 653.22", "applies_to_country": "us", "applies_to_scope": "Batch default region us-ca", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "trouble", "region": [ "us-ca" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "rules.enforcement", "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "any" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } }, { "id": "learn_r167_california_prostitution_statute_every_section_167_ca_pen_266_assignation_minor", "category": "Safety", "title": "[Unverified - being checked] California Penal Code 266 (Title 9, Chapter 1): Inveigling or enticing a person under 18 into a house of ill fame or of assignation", "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Penal Code 266 makes it punishable by imprisonment in the state prison, or by county jail not exceeding one year, or by a fine up to $2,000, for a person to inveigle or entice a person under 18 into a house of ill fame, or of assignation, or elsewhere, for the purpose of prostitution; this is where the California code uses the word 'assignation'.", "body": "Penal Code 266 makes it punishable by imprisonment in the state prison, or by county jail not exceeding one year, or by a fine up to $2,000, for a person to inveigle or entice a person under 18 into a house of ill fame, or of assignation, or elsewhere, for the purpose of prostitution; this is where the California code uses the word 'assignation'.\n\nWhat California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) actually says:\n\n“A person who inveigles or entices a person under 18 years of age into a house of ill fame, or of assignation, or elsewhere, for the purpose of prostitution, or to have illicit carnal connection with another person, and a person who aids or assists in that inveiglement or enticement, and a person who, by any false pretenses, false representation, or other fraudulent means, procures a person to have illicit carnal connection with another person, is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison, or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.”\n\nNote: Not a Title 15 section: this record intentionally sits under Title 9, Chapter 1 because it is a prostitution-adjacent offence (enticing a minor to a house of assignation). This is the provision California uses the word 'assignation' in; the main solicitation statute 647(b) instead defines the offence as an 'act of prostitution'. Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 615, Sec. 1 (AB 662), effective January 1, 2020.", "source_type": "official", "source_link": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=266.", "last_verified": "2026-09-12", "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE", "source_tier": "A", "source_publisher": "California State Legislature, California Legislative Information (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)", "evidence_quote": "A person who inveigles or entices a person under 18 years of age into a house of ill fame, or of assignation, or elsewhere, for the purpose of prostitution, or to have illicit carnal connection with another person, and a person who aids or assists in that inveiglement or enticement, and a person who, by any false pretenses, false representation, or other fraudulent means, procures a person to have illicit carnal connection with another person, is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison, or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.", "volatility": "low", "from_batch": "167-california-prostitution-statute-every-section", "subject": "California Penal Code 266 (Title 9, Chapter 1)", "topic": "Inveigling or enticing a person under 18 into a house of ill fame or of assignation", "applies_to_country": "us", "applies_to_scope": "Batch default region us-ca", "tags": { "lane": "any", "stage": "any", "region": [ "us-ca" ], "platform": "any", "topic": [ "safety.legal" ], "explicitness": "explicit_partnered" }, "verification": { "status": "unverified", "label": "Unverified - being checked", "reasons": [ "legal_fetch_over_cap" ], "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z" } } ] }