A person generally commits the crime of prostitution by engaging in sexual contact or offering to engage in sexual contact in exchange for money or other consideration.

It is also a criminal offense to solicit (on a person's own behalf, or on behalf of another person), promote, or compel prostitution. For example, most states have laws that make it illegal to buy, sell, or profit from prostitution—which is generally the business of pimps and other human traffickers—known as pimping, pandering, procuring, soliciting, promoting, or compelling prostitution.

Prostitution laws vary from state to state and are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Alaska, prostitution is illegal under state law. The crime of prostitution is defined as engaging in, or agreeing to engage in, or offering to engage in sexual conduct with another person in return for a fee. Alaska Statutes Section 11.66.100 specifically addresses the crime of prostitution, making it a class B misdemeanor for the first offense. Additionally, Alaska law criminalizes the acts of promoting prostitution (which includes pimping and pandering), as outlined in Alaska Statutes Section 11.66.110, and sex trafficking under Section 11.66.130. These offenses can range from a class C felony to a class A felony, depending on the circumstances, such as the use of force, coercion, or the involvement of minors. Soliciting prostitution is also illegal, and it is a crime to compel another person to engage in prostitution. The state's laws aim to punish those who engage in, facilitate, or profit from the prostitution of others, reflecting a broader effort to combat human trafficking and protect individuals from exploitation.