California · Penal Code

PEN §653.25: (a) It is unlawful for any person to loiter in any public place with the intent to purchase commercial sex.

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

It is unlawful to loiter in public with intent to purchase commercial sex, demonstrated by conduct like circling in a vehicle, beckoning to pedestrians, or making stops in known prostitution areas. Violators face fines of at least $1,000.

Read the full statutory text

(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.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.