Pierce v. Commonwealth

LAMBERT, Justice.

The question in this case is whether a city, by local ordinance proscribing solicitation to commit sodomy, may redefine the elements of the offense and impose criminal penalties four times greater than allowed by state statute for the same violation. We have determined that it may not.

Appellant Pierce was convicted in the Boone District Court of criminal solicitation to commit sodomy under City of Florence Ordinance No. 0-33-85. Appellant was fined $500.00 and sentenced to six months in the county jail. He was also convicted, fined and sentenced for escape, but this…