NY to stop prosecuting Prostitution - thanks to LGBTQ activists

[Rhea]

A 'Relic' And 'Burden': Manhattan District Attorney To Stop Prosecuting Prostitution

Manhattan's district attorney announced Wednesday that his office will no longer prosecute prostitution and unlicensed massage under a new policy that's believed to be the first of its kind in New York.

Cyrus Vance Jr. also appeared virtually in Manhattan Criminal Court to request the dismissal of more than 900 such cases dating back to the 1970s, according to a press release. He moved to dismiss another 5,000 cases related to the state's controversial anti-loitering statute, which New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo repealed in February.


In a statement, Vance noted the disproportionate impact of such laws on the LGBTQ community and other vulnerable populations, and credited advocates and survivors with making this set of reforms possible.

“Over the last decade we've learned from those with lived experience, and from our own experience on the ground: criminally prosecuting prostitution does not make us safer, and too often, achieves the opposite result by further marginalizing vulnerable New Yorkers," Vance said. "... By vacating warrants, dismissing cases, and erasing convictions for these charges, we are completing a paradigm shift in our approach."

More at the link on the impact and the further actions to vacate existing charges and further legislation;

But she said the policy should not replace pending legislation that would decriminalize sex work and provide criminal relief for people who have already been convicted, and called on state lawmakers to pass it.

 

[Metaphor]

From the article:

The text of the new policy notes it does not preclude officials from bringing "other charges that may stem from a prostitution-related arrest." A spokesperson confirmed to NPR that it will not change the office's existing approach to arresting patrons of prostitution.

So in this brave new world, selling sex is legit business but buying sex isn't.

 

[Derec]

Both ways or the bullshit sexist Swedish model?

Edited to add: I guess it is the bullshit sexist Swedish model.
It is a disturbing trend to push the Swedish model but dishonestly use the language of "decriminalizing sex work" that has hitherto been used for real decriminalization for both sellers and buyers.

 

[Loren Pechtel]

From the article:

The text of the new policy notes it does not preclude officials from bringing "other charges that may stem from a prostitution-related arrest." A spokesperson confirmed to NPR that it will not change the office's existing approach to arresting patrons of prostitution.

So in this brave new world, selling sex is legit business but buying sex isn't.

I don't think that's what he's saying.

Rather, I think it's he's saying that if there is another crime involved they'll still prosecute.

I'm thinking of that Hollywood guy whose name I'm not coming up with right now who got caught getting a blow job in a car from a prostitute. I interpret this as saying they'll still prosecute stuff like that.

 

[Metaphor]

I don't think that's what he's saying.

Rather, I think it's he's saying that if there is another crime involved they'll still prosecute.

Really? I think that is exactly what the spokesperson is saying.

A spokesperson confirmed to NPR that it will not change the office's existing approach to arresting patrons of prostitution.

I'm thinking of that Hollywood guy whose name I'm not coming up with right now who got caught getting a blow job in a car from a prostitute. I interpret this as saying they'll still prosecute stuff like that.

It sounds like you are remembering the Hugh Grant incident.

Patronising a prostitute in NY is a misdemeanour or felony offense. People in NY are arrested and charged for it. (e.g. https://www.wktv.com/content/news/P...ronizing-prostitution-in-Utica-572726011.html ). These seem like they're going to continue.

Isn't it the job of the NY legislature to amend legislation if they want it no longer to be an offense to sell sex?

 

[Derec]

From the article:

The text of the new policy notes it does not preclude officials from bringing "other charges that may stem from a prostitution-related arrest." A spokesperson confirmed to NPR that it will not change the office's existing approach to arresting patrons of prostitution.

So in this brave new world, selling sex is legit business but buying sex isn't.

I don't think that's what he's saying.

Rather, I think it's he's saying that if there is another crime involved they'll still prosecute.

That is what that first sentence is saying. The second sentence is unrelated and plain reading of it means that they will continue to bust and prosecute men for hiring hookers, just not the hookers themselves. So, the Swedish model.
Note also from earlier in the piece:

Manhattan's district attorney announced Wednesday that his office will no longer prosecute prostitution and unlicensed massage under a new policy that's believed to be the first of its kind in New York.

No mention of "solicitation" and "patronizing a prostitute" will no longer be prosecuted, which is what buyers are charged with.
Which means that this is a highly discriminatory policy.

I'm thinking of that Hollywood guy whose name I'm not coming up with right now who got caught getting a blow job in a car from a prostitute. I interpret this as saying they'll still prosecute stuff like that.

What other crime was "that Hollywood guy" involved in?

 

[Loren Pechtel]

What other crime was "that Hollywood guy" involved in?

They did the deed in a parked car. I'm not sure exactly what the charge would be, but something along the lines of public indecency or the like.

 

[Derec]

They did the deed in a parked car. I'm not sure exactly what the charge would be, but something along the lines of public indecency or the like.

Solution: privacy drive-in booths, like in Switzerland.

 

[Loren Pechtel]

They did the deed in a parked car. I'm not sure exactly what the charge would be, but something along the lines of public indecency or the like.

Solution: privacy drive-in booths, like in Switzerland.

View attachment 33108

I'd be fine with that.

So long as you are reasonably discreet about it I have no problem with people doing it in public. While those booths aren't exactly all that concealing it's plenty to provide fair warning to a passerby what they might see and that's good enough for me.