Two New York prosecutors ban seized condoms as prostitution evidence

[hrmjustin]

By Francesca Trianni

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Two New York-area prosecutors said on Thursday they would no longer consider unused condoms seized from suspected prostitutes and sex traffickers as evidence, saying the public health benefit of making condoms available trumped their value in the courtroom.

"We need to put public health above the very little value of using condoms for prosecuting prostitution and trafficking," said Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice.

Rice and Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes, who oversees prosecutions in the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, follow San Francisco prosecutors in ceasing to submit condoms as evidence.

Although carrying condoms is legal in New York, police have treated them as evidence of probable cause when making arrests in prostitution cases.

Read more at http://news.yahoo.com/two-york-prosecutors-ban-seized-condoms-prostitution-evidence-223938216.html

[Vinnie From Indy]

1. Sounds like a punk band - "The Seized Condoms"

eom

[hrmjustin]

3. LMFAO!!!

[Arkansas Granny]

2. The important words here are "suspected" and "evidence of probable cause".

The fact that someone has possession of unused condoms shouldn't be the sole indicator of intent to commit a crime.

[hrmjustin]

4. Agreed!

We don't want people to be afraid to use them.

[freshwest]

5. It was a bad idea in the first place. Their use is promoted widely, anyone might have one.

[hrmjustin]

6. I hope it becomes more and more common in the end.

I hope more prosecutors in the end follow this lead.

[freshwest]

7. If prosecutors are using this tactic elsewhere, they should change their methods.

STDs affect far more people than are prosecuted.

[hrmjustin]

8. I also think that prostitution should be legalized.

I don't like the idea! But it would let the sex workers organize and get better medical attention.

[freshwest]

9. Would probably lead to less violence toward them, and different job opportunities if they choose.

The problem of what is forced on emigrants, would still remain though, as they are in limbo due to their status and will continue to abused. By their status, they are in the shadows and not the light.

If not in this line of work, some other type will take advantage of them. The mistreatment of the poor and otherwise disadvantaged or disenfranchised is not well served anywhere there is not economic freedom and the right to exist somewhere others don't respect.

We are still a far way from the form of social democracy I want to have in which each person is seen equally despite their differences.