Amending Old Laws to Punish New Governors
The Mann Act was passed in 1910 its purpose was to prosecute individuals who were in the business of trafficking young girls for the means of prostitution across state lines. This law was set into motion to combat immigrants who kidnapped ladies and forced them to work into brothels. The official title of the law is White Slave Traffic Act, as a result of the ladies that were abducted were driven to prostitution out of fear. The law may be a product of its time, but since 1910 it has undergone a few Amendments to keep it vital to trendy times.
This interest within the Mann Act has been sparked by New York's Governor Eliot Spitzer. Prosecutors are considering charging Governor Spitzer of violating the law. Though, Governor Spitzer is the most current celebrity to be linked to the Mann Act he isn't the sole one. African Yank boxer Jack Johnson, film star Charlie Chaplin, and musician Chuck Berry have all been prosecuted underneath the Mann Act. Jack Johnson received the utmost sentence of 1 year and one day. Mr. Johnson's conviction has been purported to be a racist act, as a result of the lady he was transporting was his white girlfriend. Charlie Chaplin was charged, however not found guilty. Chuck Berry served 5 years for a variety of different charges also as the Mann Act. In Mr. Berry's case it absolutely was a young Apache lady that he contracted to work at his club as a hat check lady who was later convicted with prostitution.
The Mann Act's 1st amendment occurred in 1978 when it included in the transportation of minors for both male and feminine sexes. In 1986 the protection of minors was furthered furthermore replacing out dated terminology. The 1986 change replaced "debauchery" and "any other immoral purpose" for "any sexual intercourse for that any individual can be charged with a criminal offense."
The Mann Act has acted as a tool for social stigma being the case with Johnson and Chaplin. It is understandable that federal prosecutors would want to charge Spitzer with the Mann Act for degrading his reputable position. If he's found guilty underneath some nuance of the Mann Act it would positively be federal prosecutors creating an example of him. For the governor of such a huge state to be involved with any criminal activity is unacceptable.
The Mann Act has been used as a slap on the hand in the past, but it shouldn't be abused to shame people. Spitzer is stepping down from office and has to work through the damages his choices are going to take on his marriage. He will be place on trial and convicted for soliciting prostitution. There's no want for public flogging anymore, so there shouldn't be a pressure to charge him of the Mann Act. Society has evolved beyond the point of cruelty and shame as a form of punishment. The man is ashamed enough of what he has done, thus why ought to there be a want to reproach him any more on the matter.
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