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 Arkansas, prostitution is illegal under state law. The crime of prostitution is defined as performing, offering, or agreeing to perform sexual acts or contact in exchange for money or other forms of consideration. This includes any sexual conduct where there is an expectation of receiving something of value in return. Arkansas law also criminalizes the acts of soliciting, promoting, or compelling prostitution. This means that it is illegal to encourage, induce, or otherwise facilitate another person to engage in prostitution, whether for personal gain or on behalf of someone else. The laws against pimping, pandering, and procuring are aimed at those who profit from or manage the prostitution of others, such as pimps and traffickers. These offenses are typically found in the state's penal or criminal code and carry various penalties depending on the specific nature of the crime and the circumstances involved.