Post by Shadow on Oct 20, 2005 6:32:13 GMT -5
Justices question Southern Nevada anti-prostitution ordinance
KRNV
State Supreme Court justices questioned Wednesday whether high school cheerleaders trying to flag down motorists for a car wash might run afoul of a broadly written ordinance targeting pushy Las Vegas-area prostitutes.
Justices Michael Douglas and Ron Parraguirre raised the possibility during a hearing on an appeal filed by Lani Silvar, charged under the Clark County ordinance with misdemeanor "loitering for the purpose of prostitution."
While the high court's ruling won't be issued until a later date, Parraguirre expressed concern that the ordinance is too broad. He says an arrest would be based on, "essentially a hunch" by an officer that an illegal act of prostitution might occur.
Las Vegas Sun
Prostitute ordinance is called too vague, arbitrary
By Cy Ryan <cy@lasvegassun.com>
Las Vegas Sun
CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear arguments about whether a Clark County anti-prostitution ordinance is unconstitutional.
A justice of the peace declared the ordinance unconstitutional last year, but a district judge disagreed.
Lawyers for Lani L. Silvar, a woman arrested and charged with "loitering for the purpose of prostitution," argue that the county's ordinance is too vague and "places arbitrary restrictions on personal liberties." The Clark County District Attorney's Office says the ordinance is clearly understood and does not encourage arbitrary arrests.
The ordinance makes it a misdemeanor to induce, solicit, entice or procure another person to commit an act of prostitution.
It says that someone can be considered to be doing this if he or she "repeatedly beckons to, stop, attempts to stop or engaged persons passing by in conversation, or repeatedly stops or attempts to stop motor vehicle operators by hailing, waiving of arms or other bodily gestures."
KRNV
State Supreme Court justices questioned Wednesday whether high school cheerleaders trying to flag down motorists for a car wash might run afoul of a broadly written ordinance targeting pushy Las Vegas-area prostitutes.
Justices Michael Douglas and Ron Parraguirre raised the possibility during a hearing on an appeal filed by Lani Silvar, charged under the Clark County ordinance with misdemeanor "loitering for the purpose of prostitution."
While the high court's ruling won't be issued until a later date, Parraguirre expressed concern that the ordinance is too broad. He says an arrest would be based on, "essentially a hunch" by an officer that an illegal act of prostitution might occur.
Las Vegas Sun
Prostitute ordinance is called too vague, arbitrary
By Cy Ryan <cy@lasvegassun.com>
Las Vegas Sun
CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear arguments about whether a Clark County anti-prostitution ordinance is unconstitutional.
A justice of the peace declared the ordinance unconstitutional last year, but a district judge disagreed.
Lawyers for Lani L. Silvar, a woman arrested and charged with "loitering for the purpose of prostitution," argue that the county's ordinance is too vague and "places arbitrary restrictions on personal liberties." The Clark County District Attorney's Office says the ordinance is clearly understood and does not encourage arbitrary arrests.
The ordinance makes it a misdemeanor to induce, solicit, entice or procure another person to commit an act of prostitution.
It says that someone can be considered to be doing this if he or she "repeatedly beckons to, stop, attempts to stop or engaged persons passing by in conversation, or repeatedly stops or attempts to stop motor vehicle operators by hailing, waiving of arms or other bodily gestures."