The city of Dallas will be allowed to continue enforcing a curfew on sexually oriented businesses. The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday that it would not reconsider an appeals court ruling in favor of the city that cited crime as a reason to close clubs for four hours after 2 a.m.
In 2022, the Dallas City Council passed a curfew for sexually oriented businesses, requiring businesses such as strip clubs to close at 2 a.m. and not reopen until 6 a.m. The new ordinance quickly prompted a lawsuit from the Dallas Club Executives Association. Industry Association – Adult Novelty Shops, and Four City Strip Clubs.
A federal judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in May 2022, but that decision was overturned by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in October 2023. Dallas began enforcing a curfew in November. Lawyers for the companies requested a SCOTUS review in February.
Businesses violating the ordinance could have their licenses revoked and face criminal charges, including up to a year in prison or a $4,000 fine.
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Bethany Erickson
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Bethany Erickson is D Magazine. Throughout her career, she has written about real estate, education policy, the stock market, and crime, sometimes simultaneously. She hates lima beans and 5 a.m. and takes her SAT practice tests for her fun.
