NYC moves to dismiss hundreds of prostitution cases, decriminalize sex work abc7.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from abc7.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The move came the same day Mayor Bill de Blasio sought to decriminalize sex work.
The loitering for the purpose of prostitution law was repealed last month out of concern it too often targeted women, trans people and people of color based solely on their appearance. Historical data shows that enforcement of this statute had primarily been used to arrest people based on their gender or appearance, Katz said. Dismissing cases related to this unfair and now repealed statute frees members of our community from the collateral consequences of their arrests.
The request came as prosecutors across the country are rethinking their views of prostitution. It is no longer viewed entirely as a crime but often as a consequence of sex trafficking.
The nebulous statute, in place since 1976, was finally taken off the books last month to the delight of critics who said the law was used to target women, transgender people and people of color.