Ban on saggy pants ruled unconstitutional

[The Straight Story]

Ban on saggy pants ruled unconstitutional



RIVIERA BEACH -- Drop that ordinance -- and your pants if you consider it fashionable, Palm Beach County Judge Laura Johnson ruled Wednesday.

The judge overturned Riviera Beach's saggy pants ordinance, which had prohibited anyone from wearing pants below the waist exposing skin or underwear.

A referendum endorsing the ban was supported by 72 percent of city voters in March 2008.

Riviera Beach began enforcing the ordinance in July, but it was ruled unconstitutional by Johnson, city spokeswoman Rose Anne Brown said.

Offenders were cited with a $150 fine for the first offense and $300 for the second offense, considered a misdemeanor. Brown estimates fewer than 20 people were caught with drooping pants since the ordinance was enacted.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking-news/story/1013895.html

[valerief]

1. I wonder how the "showing cleavage" ordinance is doing. Or the

"showing ankles" ordinance.

[kwassa]

2. which constitution are we speaking of?

[pleah]

3. Luckily, they are going out of style.

It probably would have gone out a lot faster if they hadn't made such a fuss over them.

[we can do it]

4. Wow After Only 20 Years the "Style" Might Change?

[alphafemale]

7. Seriously. I thought it would never end.

That and scrawny little ten-year-old kids wearing XXX shirts.

[we can do it]

8. It Started Getting Comical When Dads and Sons Both Have Clown Pants On

about 5 years ago.......

[devilgrrl]

13. A few years ago I told a wise-ass teen that his huge pants were soooooo 1993.

:shrug:

[Ian David]

5. At last, our long, national nightmare is over. n/t

[SoCalDem]

6. What a waste of court time & money

"fashion" trends always piss off the "old-folks"..thats what they are for..:)

I remember how furious people were at mini-skirts..and then even at granny-dresses..

anything that deviates from the norm is frowned on by some:)

[immoderate]

14. There are no new styles -- just new people.

--imm

[sam sarrha]

9. you gotta see this before you make up your mind.. and consider living where everything is >Link>>

is covered with gang graffiti and you are a teacher...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zepAp5qQiDw

[Indy Lurker]

10. This was an ordinance for the general public

It has no effect on school rules.

[Hanse]

17. Obviously the constitution shouldn't apply for some communities.

[applegrove]

11. I was walking to work behind a guy with saggy pants. His belt went around

the middle of his behind and the pockets hung down. After a few minutes I couldn't stand it so I sped up and passed him. There is only so much I can take.

[jmm]

12. Does this mean I need to give up on my referendums to ban

Crocs, Uggs, Uggs with short skirts, Uggs with sweatpants, etc and every other fashion I don't like :shrug:?

[juno jones]

15. Ever see a guy trying to run for a bus with the waist of his jeans constricting his knees?

Good clean fun, I assure you. :D

[ProgressiveProfessor]

16. Best solution for saggy pants etc is public ridicule, especially from women

Occasionally such fashion statements cause to to laugh out loud in public. Some take offense at such "dissing" which only makes it even more funny.