LAS VEGAS, NEVADA — A Las Vegas law prohibiting strippers from fondling customers during lap dances is unconstitutionally vague, a judge has ruled.

District Court Judge Sally Loehrer affirmed a lower court ruling that as many as five misdemeanor criminal cases filed against Las Vegas strippers should be dismissed.

The ruling, handed down Friday, affects dancers within city limits. The Clark County Commission in 2002 limited touching between strippers and patrons during private lap dances.

But the municipal code was not as specific, saying that strippers and patrons should not “fondle” or “caress” each other.

Defense lawyer James Colin argued the lack of specifics makes it impossible to enforce the law.

Under Loehrer’s ruling, no dancer in the city can be arrested for violating the municipal code. The city is considering an appeal.