The crime of prostitution is taken very seriously here in Texas. In order to combat prostitution, there have also been strict laws enacted against pimping. Section 43.03 of the Texas Penal Code defines the act of promoting prostitution to happen whenever an individual:
- Receives money or property with “an agreement” to participate in the proceeds of prostitution
- Solicits an individual to engage in sex with another in exchange for something of value
In some cases, aggravated promotion of prostitution can happen whenever someone knowingly “owns, invests in, finances, controls, supervises or manages a prostitution enterprise that uses two or more prostitutes.”
Both of these two crimes are considered to be misdemeanors; however, the charges can become a felony whenever someone is found guilty of compelling prostitution. This happens whenever threat, force or intimidation is used to get someone to commit prostitution, or when a person under the age of 17 is caused to commit prostitution by any means.