Jul 7, 2008 9:00 pm US/Eastern
Easton Proposes New Prostitution Law
EASTON, Pa. (CBS 3) ―
-
-
A new proposal in Northampton County could leave those who try to solicit prostitutes without a car. (File)
AP
A new proposal in Northampton County
could leave those who try to solicit prostitutes without a car.
Easton City Council has proposed the 'John's Law', which
would give authorities the right to seize someone's vehicle if they try to
solicit a prostitute.
The summer season is when prostitution is most prevalent
in the City of Easton.
If the new law passes, police will permanently seize the
vehicle of a person caught soliciting a prostitute. This law is already in
practice in Chicago and Memphis.
In Pennsylvania,
state law allows police to seize vehicles found in drug deals.
"After they are found guilty, then it sounds reasonable.
Before they have gone to court or there has been any kind of judicial procedure,
then it's against the Constitution,' said Easton
resident James Mason.
Some question how the law will stand up in court because
soliciting a prostitute in Pennsylvania
is only considered a misdemeanor.
Council will vote on the ordinance on July 9.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)