North Carolina has made it a felony crime to patronize a sex worker. Under a law that took effect December 1, "any person who solicits another for the purpose of prostitution is guilty of a Class I felony for a first offense"—a crime that comes with a presumptive minimum sentence of four months in prison, up to two years.* Second and subsequent offenses are now Class H felonies, punishable by up to 39 months in prison.
"In the past, many first offenses under either classification have received house arrest or probation in lieu of prison time. Prior to this revision, the maximum penalty for purchasing sex from a consenting adult was a misdemeanor," according to Yes Weekly.
