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A few years ago, the City of Houston came up with an idea to create laws designed to regulate what the city considers a Sexually Oriented Business. In essence, the city created ordinances that would make it difficult, if not impossible, for anyone to operate or work in a Cabaret. In an effort, spearheaded by then Mayor, Bill White, the city passed ordinances that would require licensing of dancers, licensing of the business, and rules for conduct inside the club. This ordinance would make it a crime if a dancer came within 3 feet of a customer, took a tip from a customer by hand, or did not have a “SOB” permit to work in a club. Any violation of this ordinance is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor with a range of punishment of up to 1 year in the county jail and a fine up to $4,000. The city also enacted an ordinance that dictates where a club can be located, but made it so that it would be nearly impossible for any club to receive a license. The ordinance also made it a crime for a manager to work at an unlicensed club and made the manger criminally liable if a dancer violated any section of the ordinance punishable as a Class A misdemeanor with a range of punishment of up to 1 year in the county jail and up to a $4,000 fine.
The City of Houston spends thousands of taxpayer dollars for officers in the Houston Police Department Vice Division to go to strip clubs undercover, tip the dancers, buy drinks, and entice the dancers to violate provisions of the Sexually Oriented Business ordinance. If you have been accused of violating one of Houston’s Sexually Oriented Business ordinances, Mr. Neyland can provide effective representation to fight for you. Contact us today at (281) 312-0155 to schedule a free in-person consultation at our office in Kingwood, TX, conveniently located within a short drive from Houston, TX and Conroe, TX.