Sat, October 30, 1999Judge limits sex-business hours
Owners' bid to delay closing law is rejected
By Alicia A. Caldwell
The Arizona Republic
A federal judge ruled Friday that Phoenix's sexually oriented businesses must shut their doors by I a.m. starting Monday, despite continued efforts by business owners
to have the law's enforcement delayed.
US. District Judge Robert Strand on Thursday denied a request, filed on behalf of Ziegfeld Inc., the Great Alaskan Bush Co. Inc., Ron & Jerry's Investments Inc. and their owners to delay the law's enforcement.
The request for a temporary restraining order was filed in hopes of staying the law while a lawsuit to nullify it pends in US. District Court.
The law says Arizona adult businesses must be shut from I a.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Saturday and from I a.m. to noon on Sunday. Violation of the statute is a misdemeanor.
The stay request filed by the adult businesses contends that the law violates their First Amendment right to free expression.
Mike House, Phoenix city attorney, said
Please see SEX, Page B2