Is prostitution a crime in Rhode Island?

Yes. Prostitution is a misdemeanor crime in Rhode Island under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-34.1. The 2009 legislative session closed a loophole that had previously allowed indoor prostitution, making all commercial sexual exchange illegal in the state. The charge applies to both the seller and the buyer (soliciting prostitution is a separate but related charge). Penalties include up to 6 months jail, fines up to $1,000, and a permanent criminal record. Sex trafficking charges are far more serious felony offenses that target the operators of commercial sexual exploitation rather than the individuals engaged in the conduct.