Dallas Police Pause Enforcement Of Anti-Prostitution Ordinance
The Dallas Police Department has paused enforcement of an anti-prostitution ordinance after a city court ruled it unconstitutional.
The department has 'instructed officers to temporarily pause enforcement' of the Dallas City Code against 'manifesting the purpose of engaging in prostitution,' said Corbin Rubinson, Dallas Police senior public information officer, in an email to The Dallas Express. He said officials based this decision on a 'recent ruling' from the City of Dallas Municipal Court.
'The Department remains committed to enforcing all laws, and this ruling does not restrict officers from other methods of investigating and enforcing prostitution and trafficking crimes in the City of Dallas,' Rubinson said.
Two municipal court trials for 'manifesting the purpose of engaging in prostitution' were dismissed, as WFAA reported. According to The Dallas Morning News, the ruling found the law's language unconstitutionally vague and broad.
The local law in question bans conduct that 'manifests the purpose and intent of inducing, enticing, soliciting, or procuring another to commit an act of prostitution' in public. Prostitution is also illegal at the state level, and trafficking is illegal at the federal level.
The law sets forth specific factors for determining a violation. A person must be a 'known prostitute or panderer' or be in a 'location frequented by persons who engage in prostitution or solicitation. The suspect must also be 'repeatedly' beckoning, attempting to stop, or engaging passersby, or trying to stop passing cars with a 'bodily gesture,' or interfering with 'free passage.'
The law also bars officers from arresting suspects for violations unless they give an 'opportunity to explain the person's conduct,' and they have an 'affirmative defense' if they provide a 'lawful purpose' for their behavior.
In 2023, a Dallas County judge ruled the law unconstitutional and 'trespasses on the constitutional rights of Dallas citizens,' as The Dallas Express reported at the time. This decision followed complaints that the statute was overly broad. That year, Dallas police also stopped enforcing the statute.
Dallas saw sex trafficking and prostitution spike in 2024, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. The city is home to hundreds of 'escort sites,' illicit massage businesses, and brothels. Earlier this year, near Harry Hines Blvd., a 13-year-old girl was forced into prostitution.
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