Dallas Police Department Stops Enforcing Prostitution Ordinance
The Dallas Police Department was instructed to stop enforcing the city’s controversial prostitution ordinance after a municipal judge declared it unconstitutional, according to an internal notice to officers obtained by The Dallas Morning News.
The Saturday directive came more than a year after the city slightly revised its law that allows law enforcement to arrest or cite someone suspected of prostitution for attempting to stop a passerby.
In the more recent ruling May 21, Judge Jay Robinson said the latest version of the “manifesting the purpose of engaging in prostitution” ordinance is unconstitutionally vague and overbroad. The problem with the law, he wrote, is the manner in which the courts or police can find a violation under it.
Background of the Ordinance
The ordinance has long been subject to scrutiny for the leeway it affords officers. In 2022, a man was cited with a Class C misdemeanor after he was accused of loitering with the purpose of engaging in prostitution in the 11100 block of Shady Trail. Robinson called the ordinance unconstitutional at the time, a ruling which was affirmed by a Dallas appeals court judge and spurred the city to revise the ordinance.
Much of the original ordinance remained even after the city’s revisions in 2023. The city added definitions to various terms and required “intent” for a violation. Officers must also consider if potential violators are interfering with the “free passage” of others or are in a “location frequented by persons who engage in prostitution.”
Latest Ruling
The latest ruling stemmed from a case involving two women — Sabrina Gabriella German and Journi Randolph. Around Dec. 19, court records state, German and Randolph were accused of violating the manifestation ordinance in the 10200 block of Shady Trail. They have been accused of solicitation and the manifestation ordinance in the past, which were dismissed, court records show.
“The Ordinance, by potentially applying to such conduct as talking and waving to other people, clearly implicates protected freedoms,” Robinson said in the ruling.
Impact on Law Enforcement
Dallas police spokesperson Corbin Rubinson confirmed the department’s temporary pause on enforcement. He said 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.”
A city of Dallas spokesperson declined to comment. In the memorandum instructing officers not to enforce the ordinance, police officials said the city is reviewing its options and determining next steps.
Reaction from Attorneys
“We are pleased that the court agreed with our assessment of the unjust and overbroad nature of this law,” said Wesley Sackrule, an attorney with the Palmer Perlstein law firm who represents the two defendants in the case. “We believe past enforcement has been arbitrary and has criminalized innocent behaviors.
“We look forward to defending this ruling as the case moves forward.”
Prostitution-Related Offenses
Dallas police tallied at least 403 prostitution-related offenses in 2024, which includes prostitution, purchasing prostitution and assisting or promoting prostitution, according to the city’s crime dashboard.
So far in 2025, police have reported 105 such offenses. It’s unclear how many violations of the manifestation ordinance the department has tallied; a police spokesperson referred a reporter to file an open records request for the data.
City and police officials have said the ordinance is a necessary tool to tamp down prostitution and sex trafficking. Critics have argued the ordinance seeks a legal shortcut to fight crime or essentially criminalize “talking while walking.”
Conclusion
The Dallas Police Department’s decision to stop enforcing the prostitution ordinance is a significant development in the ongoing debate about the law’s constitutionality. As the city reviews its options and determines next steps, it is essential to consider the potential impact on law enforcement and the community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the manifestation ordinance?
A: The manifestation ordinance is a law that allows police to issue citations or arrest individuals suspected of prostitution for attempting to stop a passerby or engaging in other behaviors that may indicate prostitution.
Q: Why was the ordinance declared unconstitutional?
A: The ordinance was declared unconstitutional because it is too vague and overbroad, potentially applying to innocent behaviors such as talking and waving to others.
Q: What is the impact of the ruling on law enforcement?
A: The ruling temporarily pauses enforcement of the ordinance, but the Dallas Police Department remains committed to enforcing all laws and investigating prostitution and trafficking crimes.
Q: What are the next steps for the city?
A: The city is reviewing its options and determining next steps, which may include revising the ordinance or appealing the ruling.
