Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-82 Prostitution

Section 53a-82 makes it unlawful for any person eighteen years of age or older to engage, agree to engage, or offer to engage in sexual conduct for a fee. The offense applies whether the act is completed or merely solicited, emphasizing that the exchange of sexual conduct for money itself constitutes the violation. A first offense is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both. The statute explicitly recognizes duress as an affirmative defense, permitting individuals to show they were compelled or coerced into prostitution. This provision reflects the intent to distinguish between voluntary participation in sex work and victimization, aligning the statute with broader anti-trafficking and victim-protection policies. Connecticut law reserves harsher felony penalties for those who promote, profit from, or coerce others (particularly minors) into the sex trade, underscoring the distinction between personal culpability and exploitation.