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

Emma Rosie Makes Her TransAngels Debut

Emma Rosie has made her TransAngels debut alongside Zariah Aura in "Trick or Treating Ourselves."

Ohio AG Threatens Action Against 'Major' Adult Sites Over AV Law

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today that his office is sending "notice of violation" letters to 19 adult websites for failure to comply with the state's recently enacted age verification law.

Transfixed Debuts Bree Miller Drama 'MILF Oasis'

Transfixed has released the Bree Mills-helmed drama “MILF Oasis.”

Sweet Sinner Releases 6th Volume of 'MILF Pact'

Reigning XMAs MILF Performer of the Year Penny Barber stars with Bunny Madison, Katrina Colt, and Little Puck in the sixth volume of "MILLF Pact," from Mile High Media studio imprint Sweet Sinner.

Hime Marie Leads Latest From Hookup Hotshot

Hime Marie returns to Hookup Hotshot for a new scene featuring Nade Nasty.

Angelica Heaven Leads Latest From Immoral Productions

Angelica Heaven stars in a new Immoral Productions trilogy alongside Terry Banks, Matt Bird, Rob Hudson, and studio honcho “Porno Dan” Leal.

Payton Preslee Fronts Latest From New Sensations

Payton Preslee and Codey Steele star in the latest release from New Sensations.

Ukrainian Content Creators on Hook for Nearly $10M in Back Taxes

Content creators in Ukraine owe the equivalent of $9.3 million in back taxes, according to the country's State Tax Service.

Jade Venus, Aubrey Kate Star in Latest From Evil Angel

Jade Venus and Aubrey Kate star in a scene from Evil Angel titled “TS Aubrey & TS Jade Do 3 Uniformed Men.”

Jonni Darkko Drops New Evil Angel Blowbang With Connie Perignon

Connie Perignon stars in the latest Evil Angel blowbang release from director Jonni Darkko.

Show More