Criminal Justice

Question

What the difference between panhandling and solicitating?

Answer 1

Panhandling refers to begging in public, usually by a vagrant. The term refers to someone holding their hand out with a cup or pan to collect money and it can be passive (sitting with a sign) or aggressive (being coercive). Panhandling may or may not be illegal depending upon the jurisdiction.

Solicitation relates to prostitution and refers to the prostitute or pimp soliciting for sex. Solicitation is generally illegal across most jurisdictions in the U.S.