Utah Supreme Court Upholds Licensing Laws for Escorts

Utah Supreme Court Upholds Licensing Laws for Escorts

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Supreme Court last week upheld laws requiring escorts and sexually oriented businesses to have licenses in every city they work in.

In a ruling handed down Thursday night, Utah’s top court sided with Salt Lake City prosecutors in an escort’s legal challenge to licensing requirements.

Karlie Kidd was cited by Salt Lake City police for not having a license when she showed up to the Grand America Hotel and met an undercover police officer. Kidd, however, was licensed in nearby Midvale City.

Because state law authorizes any municipality to impose licensing requirements on employees of sexually oriented businesses, the resulting regulatory scheme requires escorts to obtain licenses in each jurisdiction in which they seek to operate.

On appeal from her conviction, Kidd argued that the imposition of multiple licensing requirements violates her First Amendment and Equal Protection rights.

The Utah Supreme Court affirmed, holding that Kidd did not preserve her Equal Protection claim in the district court, and she did not adequately brief her First Amendment challenge on appeal.

Industry attorney Lawrence Walters told XBIZ that the take aways from the decision are as follows:

“Escort activity is legal and licensed in many U.S. jurisdictions. Escorts must follow all of the hyper-technical licensure requirements in each jurisdiction, or they risk prosecution for escorting without a license," Walters said.

“Next, in any constitutional challenge, the legal briefing is critical. All challenges must be supported by specific citation to case law and legal principles," he said.

“Also, the court did not resolve the merits of the constitutional challenges in this case, which leaves these arguments open for the next litigant. No ruling is better than a bad ruling, in a case like this," Walters said.

“Finally, many courts continue to be unreceptive to legal challenges brought by sex workers. Lawyers representing these clients are often held to a higher standard than the government.”

Walters noted that Kidd’s appellate attorney in the case likely met a stubborn legal panel.

“Andy McCollough is a fine lawyer who may have simply run into a hostile court,” Walters said.

View ruling

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

Hookup Hotshot Adds TobyDick.com

Hookup Hotshot (HUHS) has added U.K. paysite TobyDick.com to its network.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

Leana Lovings, Shay Sights Front 'Substance' Parody From Brazzers

Leana Lovings stars with Shay Sights in the latest release from Brazzers, a parody of "The Substance.”

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Little Puck Stars in Latest Episode of 'The Bottom Floor' From Adult Time

Little Puck stars in the second episode of Adult Time series “The Bottom Floor,” titled “The Second Coming.”

Haley Spades Stars in Latest From Immoral

Haley Spades stars with Charlie Dean, Matt Bird, and Dean Van Damme in a new three-part release from Immoral Productions, directed by "Porno Dan" Leal.

Octavia Red Makes Her Vampired Debut

Octavia Red has made her Vampired debut alongside Talia Mint and 2023 XMA Europas Female Performer of the Year Tiffany Tatum in the new feature “Hunters.”

Lily Starfire Fronts Latest From Brazzers

Lily Starfire stars with Kyle Mason in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Eating Ass Is the Game."

Show More