Judge Rules Saggy Pants Law is Illegal

witchofthedogs · #1 09-17-2008, 07:41 PM

Judge: Saggy pants law is illegal
Florida's fashion police put teen with low-riding pants behind bars

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. - A judge has decided a law banning sagging pants in this town is unconstitutional after a teenager spent a night in jail on accusations he exposed too much of his underwear.
Julius Hart, 17, was charged last week after an officer said he spotted the teenager riding his bicycle with 4 inches to 5 inches of blue-and-black boxer shorts revealed.

Hart's public defender, Carol Bickerstaff, urged a judge Monday to strike down the sagging pants law, telling him: "Your honor, we now have the fashion police."

Circuit Judge Paul Moyle ruled that the law was unconstitutional based on "the limited facts" of the case. Technically, however, the charge hasn't been dropped yet: a new arraignment awaits Hart on Oct. 5.

Voters in Riviera Beach approved the law in March. A first offense for sagging pants carries a $150 fine or community service, and habitual offenders face the possibility of jail time.

Proposals to ban saggy pants are gaining ground in several places around the U.S., and have met with opposition from civil liberties advocates who say they will lead to racial profiling against young African-Americans. The fashion is believed to have started in prisons, where inmates are not given belts with their baggy uniform pants to prevent hangings and beatings. By the late 1980s, the trend had made it to gangster rap videos, then went on to skateboarders in the suburbs and high school hallways.

Bickerstaff said she wants the city to drop the law — regardless of whether anyone dislikes low-riding pants.

"The first time I saw this particular fashion, I disliked it," she told the judge. "And then I realized I'm getting old."

(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26759466/(

Roogle · #2 09-17-2008, 07:44 PM

I hate saggy pants. but i don't wanna put people in the clink for wearing them either.

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kittykat · #3 09-17-2008, 07:47 PM

OMG i cant stand seeing people with their pant sagging, especially the ones where they have them so low you see half their boxers,looks stupid YO

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Roogle · #4 09-17-2008, 07:50 PM

The funny part is that some girls like that style.......

witchofthedogs · #5 09-17-2008, 07:51 PM

There's no accounting for taste.

Kid Lester · #6 09-18-2008, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roogle

The funny part is that some girls like that style.......

Me and you, Roog. We both know what 'styles' the girls like.

tarkus1 · #7 09-18-2008, 01:08 AM

The "prison chic" look is ridiculous, but there shouldn't be a law against looking like an idiot. Sometimes when I'm out and about, I need a good laugh, and that look does it for me.

Decent · #8 09-18-2008, 08:02 AM

First it's baggy pants.
Then it's large chains.
Then it'll be cleavage.
Then short skirts.
Before too long, we'll be back in the 1800's.

DEMOA · #9 09-18-2008, 08:13 AM

I just don't understand how you can walk or take a normal stride in pants that low.

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