Many law scholars and experts in the area of law and society can argue and disagree on many different issues. However, many can also agree on one thing and that is that the justice system suffers because of over criminalization. With outdated offenses, too many laws, and new crimes appearing, criminal law is expanding rapidly and is more than our justice system can handle. The worst thing is that criminal law keeps expanding rather than contracting and as a result American citizens receive harsh punishments for crimes that are not traditionally criminal and often fall in the category of "victimless crimes." Sometimes criminal intent is not required for committing these crimes which clearly goes against the legal code of our society. As a result, our jails are full, costing taxpayers billions. Also, millions of Americans are becoming white collar criminals.
[...] Conclusion Reasonably, the level of public compliance through reinforcement is needed in order to govern a nation with a high number of citizens. The reality is that it is very costly to attempt to investigate and prosecute all criminal offenses no matter how minor or how serious. That is why any compliance with the law is reliant on public conformity. In order to achieve public compliance with the law, the criminal process must be sensible, certain, and efficient. If the laws themselves are confusing and complex then citizens logically are not going to comply because of their frustrations with the poor design of the legal system. [...]
[...] She was handcuffed and hauled off to the Lee County Jail in the back of a police car. She was charged with a felony for weapons possessions and after nine hours in jail her parents had to bail her out. A week later the District Attorney dropped the case pointing out that law required proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Lindsay knew the knife was in the (“Criminalizing”, Paragraph 2003). This element of criminal intent saved Lindsay's college career, as she otherwise would have faced a possible five year prison sentence. [...]
[...] law, the definition of a crime is an act punishable by law that can be proven that the suspect has evil intentions beyond no questionable doubt. In order for someone to be accused of a crime, specific intent is necessary. Intent is the mental purpose to accomplish a specific act that is prohibited by law. For example, someone breaking into a car window with intent to steal that car, the criminal mentally went above and beyond the law with intent to commit a felony. [...]
[...] Apart from the temporary cleaning the streets effort, the effort is unsuccessful and alcoholics continue to be arrested. When alcoholism is treated more as a disease, then rehabilitation centers could take the place of sending these people to jail. Gambling and narcotic arrests need to be reformed as well. Despite all of the arrests, the conduct only seems to continue. It is clear that the prohibitions have not substantially eliminated the demand. Again, rehabilitation could be a potential option for people that are addicted to these activities. [...]
[...] Otherwise it will expand to the point where the government will have absolute control over our lives. Works Cited Abowitz , R. (n.d.). Las Vegas Passes Dumb Law by Mistake. Retrieved July from http://vegasblog.latimes.com/vegas/2006/08/las_vegas_passe.html. Dumb Laws, Stupid Laws: We have weird laws, strange laws, and just plain crazy laws!. (n.d.). Retrieved August from http://www.dumblaws.com/. It's A Crime. (n.d.). Retrieved August from http://www.heritage.org/press/dailybriefing/policyweblog.cfm?blogid=720A8BD3 -A0C9-D18A-0F48776A44E250DC. Kadish, S. (1967). The [...]
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