Dan Lawton : Journalist

It looks like sagging may make a comeback in one Florida town.

On Wednesday, a Florida Court decided that Riviera Beach’s ordinance prohibiting sagging pants is unconstitutional. According to The Palm Beach Post, Judge Laura Johnson ruled that regardless of “how tacky or distasteful” fashion is, it’s protected under the 14th amendment.

Though the origin of sagging isn’t known, it first became fashionable in hop-hop culture and has since become a mainstream fad.  In fact, there are even websites that celebrate sagging style.

The law, which was approved by over 72% of Riviera Beach residents in January of 2008, carried a fine of $150 or community service for first offenses. In my Emerald column last week, I stood up for saggers, writing:

“Take a jog down any American beach – regardless of the city – and you’ll likely have the misfortune of seeing an old guy in a Speedo or worse, but that’s the consequence of living in a free society. The idea that the law needs to step in and prohibit dress it finds offensive is a boneheaded and arrogant philosophy of civic governing. It also sets a dangerous precedent for further restrictions on individual expression.”

It appears the Court has wisely taken my advice to heart.

However. Riviera Beach Mayor Thomas Masters, the brain trust behind the ban is determined to carry on his crusade.  In fact, he shook of the ruling, saying that laws that break ground are “all ruled unconstitutional at first.”

Yes, he really did say that.

City attorney Matthew Russell defended the law by citing concerns by cops that stockpiles of weapons could be hidden in the pants and it now now appears that Russell and Masters will appeal the ruling to a higher court, setting up a  high drama sagging showdown.

I’m glad to know that in a nation with a struggling economy, a health care crisis and an abundance of crime, there are two public servants so ardently committed to pursuing the most ridiculous policy in the world.

Does anyone dare to disagree?