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 ladies for the means of prostitution across state lines. This law was set into motion to combat immigrants who kidnapped ladies and made them to figure into brothels. The official title of the law is White Slave Traffic Act, because the girls that were abducted were driven to prostitution out of fear. The law may be a product of its time, however since 1910 it has undergone a couple of Amendments to keep it significant to modern times.
The current interest in 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 is not the sole one. African Yankee boxer Jack Johnson, film star Charlie Chaplin, and musician Chuck Berry have all been prosecuted underneath the Mann Act. Jack Johnson received the maximum 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 five years for a variety of various charges yet as the Mann Act. In Mr. Berry’s case it was a young Apache lady that he contracted to figure at his club as a hat check woman who was later convicted with prostitution.
The Mann Act’s 1st change occurred in 1978 when it included in the transportation of minors for each male and feminine sexes. In 1986 the protection of minors was furthered along with replacing out dated terminology. The 1986 modification replaced “debauchery” and “any other immoral purpose” for “any gender for which someone 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’s understandable that federal prosecutors would need to charge Spitzer with the Mann Act for degrading his reputable position. If he is found guilty below some nuance of the Mann Act it might definitely be federal prosecutors creating an example of him. For the governor of such a big state to be concerned with any criminal activity is unacceptable.
The Mann Act has been used as a slap on the hand within 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 selections are going to take on his marriage. He can be put on trial and convicted for soliciting prostitution. There is no need for public flogging anymore, therefore there should not be a pressure to charge him of the Mann Act. Society has evolved beyond the purpose of cruelty and shame as a kind of punishment. The man is ashamed enough of what he has done, thus why ought to there be a would like to reproach him any any on the matter.
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