SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to legalize prostitution in California.
U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey White said Thursday that the relationship between a prostitute and a client is not protected by the due process clause of the U.S. Constitution like marriage and other more enduring personal bonds. White said criminalizing prostitution serves legitimate government interests of promoting public safety and preventing injury and coercion.
The lawsuit against several California district attorneys and the state's attorney general was filed last year by a San Francisco-based group that includes current and former sex workers.
White gave the group an opportunity to amend its lawsuit. D. Gill Sperlein, an attorney for the group, said he's not certain he will file an amended lawsuit, but he will appeal the decision.
