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 Wyoming, prostitution is illegal and is defined as engaging in, or offering to engage in, sexual acts with another person in exchange for money or other forms of consideration. This is outlined in Wyoming Statutes under the criminal code. The law also criminalizes the acts of soliciting, promoting, or compelling prostitution. This means that not only are the actions of the individuals offering sexual services for compensation illegal, but so too are the actions of those who attempt to procure such services for themselves or others, as well as those who benefit from or enforce the provision of these services, such as pimps and traffickers. The penalties for these offenses can include fines, imprisonment, or both, and can vary based on the specific nature of the crime and any prior offenses.