A Queens judge on Tuesday dismissed hundreds of cases against charges of prostitution and related offenses – including “Walking While Trans” offenses, revoked at the request of the Borough’s District Attorney.
“This is an incredibly emotional moment for me,” Justice Toko Serita said before dismissing and sealing more than 670 cases.
“We have seen the damaging effects of these laws on the lives of women and transgender individuals, many of whom have been victims of trafficking and serious exploitation,” said the judge, who oversees the Queens Human Trafficking Entrepreneur Court.
Last month, the state legislature violated the law against making laws for prostitution purposes – known as “Walking While Trance” – that had been on the books since 1976.
Opponents of the law argued for decades that it unfairly targeted women, minorities and transgender people, allowing police to arrest or detain passers-by for the purpose of prostitution.
“[The statute] Members of our community have been punished for their gender and their appearance. “[The law] Members of our community were adversely affected, who in many instances were already traumatized and already exploited. “
Most of the city’s DA, including Katz’s office, stopped prosecuting long before the crime was quashed. But Katz’s proposal on Tuesday included allegations of prostitution that remained part of the penal law.
Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez asked a judge to dismiss 262 open prostitution and hatred for prostitution cases. An additional 850 old cases are expected to be dismissed at a later date.
Earlier this month, a Bronx judge rejected more than 8,000 open waivers in prostitution cases at the request of DA Darcel Clarke, which dates back to the 1970s.
Manhattan DA Cyrus Once Jr. plans to dismiss nearly 5,000 open waivers for prostitution cases in the coming weeks, spokesman Emily Tuttle told The Post.
Richmond County DA Michael McMahon did not immediately return a request for comment.
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