Effects of new physics in the rare decays $B \to K \ell^+ \ell^-$ and $B \to K^\ast \ell^+ \ell^-$

We parametrize phenomenologically possible new physics effects and calculate their influence on the invariant dilepton mass spectrum and the Dalitz plot for the decays $B \to K \ell^+ \ell^-$ and $B \to K^\ast \ell^+ \ell^-$. Especially the decay into $K^*$ yields a wealth of new information on the form of the new interactions since the Dalitz plot is sensitive to subtle interference effects. We also show how transversely polarized $K^*$-mesons give additional information.