Farias v. City of New York

OPINION OF THE COURT

Edward J. Greenfield, J.

In 1978, as it has every spring for as long as one can remember, "The Greatest Show on Earth”, Ringling Bros.Barnum & Bailey Circus, came to town. Although child performers had always appeared as an integral part of the circus during its engagements in New York City, in 1978, the activities and exploits of "that daring young man on the flying trapeze”, and nine other performers under the age of 16, resulted in the commencement by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children of legal proceedings in the Family Court charging the circus and…