Anti-prostitution laws need updating

Associated Press

RUSSELL CONTRERAS,Associated Press

Updated: Jun 25, 2012 2:32 PM

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Susana Martinez says state laws aimed at fighting prostitution are outdated and need to be fixed to help authorities go after online sites that promote prostitution.

Martinez told The Associated Press on Monday that she will ask state lawmakers to pass new legislation making online sites linked to prostitution illegal.

Her comments come just days after a state judge ruled that a website linked to a former University of New Mexico president accused of helping run an online prostitution ring was legal.

Experts say that decades-old laws in New Mexico and other states make it difficult for authorities and prosecutors to go after prostitution-linked websites because the laws don't necessarily outlaw the practice in cyberspace. They say most states' laws only address street prostitution and brothels.

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