POLITICS AND PROSTITUTION A Case Study of the Revision, Enforcement, and Administration of the New York State Penal Laws on Prostitution

2 dimensions are noted in the phenomenon of crime: (a) criminal behavior itself; & (b) the definitions by which specific behavior comes to be considered crime or non-crime. A study was undertaken of the pol'al processes involved & the contextual technological, econ, & soc changes af...

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Veröffentlicht in:Criminology (Beverly Hills) 1972-02, Vol.9 (4), p.425-447
1. Verfasser: Roby, Pamela A.
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:2 dimensions are noted in the phenomenon of crime: (a) criminal behavior itself; & (b) the definitions by which specific behavior comes to be considered crime or non-crime. A study was undertaken of the pol'al processes involved & the contextual technological, econ, & soc changes affecting the formulation, enforcement, & judicial admin of New York State's penal law on prostitutes over the last 100 yrs. The focus is on the decade of the 1960's. 7 phases were defined in the development of Section 230 of the NY State Penal Law: writing of the proposed law (1961-64); public hearings & rewriting (Nov-Dec 1974); enactment (Mar 16, 1965); enforcement & reactions (Sep 1, 1967-Aug 31, 1969); unsuccessful attempt at amendment (1968); 1969 amendment; & enforcement of & reactions to the amendment since Sep 1, 1969. Of special interest were the conditions of power notable in each of these phases. The analysis sheds light on the bases of interest group power. Group resources & org were more important than the size of the interest group. The following process is noted: (1) group's awareness of the various actions taken or to be taken in the formulation or enforcement of the law; (2) their recognition of the importance of these actions to their own interests; (3) their professional (esp legal) knowledge or expertise; (4) their public support gained through their expertise & conscious appeals to the community; (5) their pol'al & financial support by org'ed groups; (6) their personal charisma; & (7) their means to informally withhold needed support or cooperation from the signif actor. Finally, the ineffectiveness of all laws on prostitution over the past 100 yrs is pointed out. 1 Table. M. Maxfield.
ISSN:0011-1384
1745-9125
DOI:10.1111/j.1745-9125.1972.tb00781.x