Penal Code 653.22. (a) It is unlawful for any person to loiter in any public
place with the intent to commit prostitution. This intent is
evidenced by acting in a manner and under circumstances which openly
demonstrate the purpose of inducing, enticing, or soliciting
prostitution, or procuring another to commit prostitution.
(b) Among the circumstances that may be considered in determining
whether a person loiters with the intent to commit prostitution are
(1) Repeatedly beckons to, stops, engages in conversations with,
or attempts to stop or engage in conversations with passersby,
indicative of soliciting for prostitution.
(2) Repeatedly stops or attempts to stop motor vehicles by hailing
the drivers, waving arms, or making any other bodily gestures, or
engages or attempts to engage the drivers or passengers of the motor
vehicles in conversation, indicative of soliciting for prostitution.
(3) Has been convicted of violating this section, subdivision (a)
or (b) of Section 647, or any other offense relating to or involving
prostitution, within five years of the arrest under this section.
(4) Circles an area in a motor vehicle and repeatedly beckons to,
contacts, or attempts to contact or stop pedestrians or other
motorists, indicative of soliciting for prostitution.
(5) Has engaged, within six months prior to the arrest under this
section, in any behavior described in this subdivision, with the
exception of paragraph (3), or in any other behavior indicative of
(c) The list of circumstances set forth in subdivision (b) is not
exclusive. The circumstances set forth in subdivision (b) should be
considered particularly salient if they occur in an area that is
known for prostitution activity. Any other relevant circumstances may
be considered in determining whether a person has the requisite
intent. Moreover, no one circumstance or combination of circumstances
is in itself determinative of intent. Intent must be determined
based on an evaluation of the particular circumstances of each case.
In this California penal code, it says that prostituting, soliciting of prostitution, and loitering for prostituting is illegal. It explains how prostitution is illegal, and how the police will go about arresting prostitutes. It also tells how pimping will be punished. The punishment for prostitution is a misdemeanor. That means you will just get a ticket, or 30 days in jail. This law is extremely flawed; the punishment should be different. Sending these women to jail is just making the hole deeper. By sending them a ticket you are making these women prostitute even.
Prostitution is one of the oldest professions in woman history. In 2400 B.C., the first reminisces of prostitution appeared in the Sumerian. In 1158, Holy Roman Army punished prostitutes by cutting off their nose to make them look unattractive. In 1902, New York claims prostitution a social evil. Chamberlain-Kahn Act was established in 1918, and allowed the government the ability to quarantine women with sexual transmitted diseases. After this, the United States allowed sections in the nation to have prostitution.
This section of the penal code affects the prostitute. They punished the women when they need to try to help the women. They need to try to rehabilitate, and get them on track. Most of these women are being forced into prostitution, and just can’t find a way out. So instead of giving them tickets, fines, and jail time. We should open up a rehabilitation center, and guide them to a better future.