NCJ Number
104702
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 35 Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1987) Pages: 54-59
Date Published
1987
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The Prince George's County Police Department (Maryland), in cooperation with the State's Attorney Office and other agencies, closed down business fronts for prostitution through combined criminal and civil proceedings.
Abstract
The police obtained evidence to show violations of licensing requirements by the prostitution fronts at all the targeted establishments. Civil proceedings allowed the introduction of more circumstantial evidence than permissible in criminal court, and the burden of proof was only a preponderance of the evidence. The defendants had the burden of proving the businesses were not used for any purpose other than that specified on the business license. Based on the evidence, the judge issued a perrmanent injunction against the continued operation of the targeted businesses. Each owner-defendant was enjoined from conducting, owning, financing, leasing, operating, managing, supervising, or associating with the houses of prostitution. Although other fronts have opened, they have closed under their own volition when faced with the success of the civil injunction strategy.