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 Connecticut, prostitution is illegal under state law. The act of prostitution is defined as performing, agreeing to perform, or offering to perform a sexual act for compensation. This includes any sexual contact in exchange for money or other consideration. The law also criminalizes the acts of soliciting, promoting, or compelling prostitution. Solicitation involves seeking out someone to engage in prostitution, while promoting prostitution can include activities such as operating a brothel or facilitating the act of prostitution in any way. Compelling prostitution is a more serious offense and typically involves forcing or coercing someone into prostitution, which can be related to human trafficking. These offenses are outlined in the Connecticut General Statutes, specifically within the penal or criminal code, and can result in criminal charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the specific circumstances and the involvement of minors or coercion.