City of Detroit v. Recorder's Court Judge

The subject matter of this appeal is Detroit Recorder’s Court Traffic & Ordinance Judge William C. Hague’s refusal to enforce Detroit Municipal Code § 39-1-52 which concerns prostitution. On January 30, 1980, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Horace Gilmore adjudged Judge Hague to be in contempt for refusing to enforce the ordinance and enjoined him from hearing any cases commenced under § 39-1-52 of the Detroit Municipal Code.

The instant appeal comes before this Court on stipulated facts, some of which must now be recited. On September 4, 1978, William C. Hague, judge of Recorder’s Court,…