On June 7, 2026, Governor Katie Hobbs signed House Bill 2720 into law, making Arizona the eighth state in the country to treat paying for sex as a felony on a first offense. Beginning in September 2026, anyone who pays, agrees to pay, or offers to pay for sexual conduct under a fee arrangement can be charged with a Class 6 felony that carries mandatory jail. If you are under investigation or have been arrested, talk to a Phoenix sex crime lawyer before you say anything to police.

What Does Arizona HB 2720 Change?

HB 2720 rewrites how Arizona punishes the “demand” side of prostitution. Previously, both buying and selling sex were charged as misdemeanors under A.R.S. 13-3214. Under the new law, the buyer’s conduct is elevated to a felony:

• Paying, agreeing to pay, or offering to pay for sexual conduct is now a Class 6 felony.
• Mandatory jail on conviction: 15 consecutive days for a first offense, 30 days for a second, and 60 days for a third.
• A $200 assessment that funds anti-human-trafficking programs.
• The law takes effect in September 2026.

Buying vs. Selling: Who Faces the Felony?

HB 2720 targets buyers, not sellers. Selling sex (prostitution and solicitation) remains a misdemeanor, and the law also requires courts to seal prostitution records when a conviction is vacated because the person was a victim of sex trafficking. Arizona has shifted the harshest penalties onto those who create the demand, while adding protections for trafficking survivors.

What a Class 6 Felony Means in Arizona

A Class 6 felony is the least severe felony class, but it is still a felony with consequences that follow you for life: a permanent criminal record, possible prison exposure for repeat or aggravated cases, loss of firearm and civil rights, and serious problems for employment, professional licenses, and immigration. On top of that, HB 2720 attaches mandatory jail that a judge cannot simply waive.

Sting Operations and How Buyers Get Charged

Most paying-for-sex cases come out of police sting operations, online ads, decoy profiles, and recorded calls or texts. Because the felony hinges on an agreement and a fee arrangement, what was actually said, and who proposed it, often decides the case. These investigations are also where entrapment and insufficient-evidence defenses are strongest.

Defenses to a Paying-for-Sex Felony

• No agreement or fee arrangement. The State must prove you actually agreed to pay for sexual conduct; ambiguous messages are not enough.
• Entrapment. If law enforcement induced conduct you were not predisposed to commit, the charge can fail.
• Lack of intent. Misunderstandings, ambiguous ads, and undercover scripts can negate the required intent.
• Unlawful stop, search, or interrogation. Evidence and statements obtained illegally can be suppressed.
• Mistaken identity. Online and sting cases frequently rest on weak identification.

Charged With Paying for Sex? Talk to a Phoenix Sex Crime Lawyer

A Class 6 felony for paying for sex can mean jail, a permanent record, and lasting damage to your reputation and career, but an arrest is not a conviction. Our Phoenix sex crime lawyers defend prostitution, solicitation, and related charges across Maricopa County and are part of our Arizona sex crimes practice. Call 623-321-4699 for a free, confidential consultation, available 24/7.

Frequently Asked Questions