What is the controversy over the government's involvement in policing victimless crimes?

What will be an ideal response?


A victimless crime is an illegal activity in which all involved are willing participants. Among the crimes categorized as "victimless" are gambling, drug use, pornography, and prostitution. Because there is no complainant, these crimes are difficult to investigate and prosecute.

Proponents for legalizing so-called victimless crimes argue that it is not the government's function to regulate morality, that the laws are ineffective as well as hypocritical and unenforceable. Further, the laws have created a whole class of "criminals" who would not otherwise be considered such. Perhaps most important, the laws create the conditions under which organized crime can thrive.

Opponents of legalizing these activities argue that it is the government's proper function to regulate morality and to protect individuals from themselves. As long as the activities are illegal, law enforcement is obligated to enforce the laws. Among the most difficult laws to enforce are those making gambling illegal in some instances.

Criminal Justice

You might also like to view...

In late 2012, ________became the first state to initiate a ballistics database that allows investigators to match shell casings with a national database

a. Louisiana b. Virginia c. New York d. California e. None of the above

Criminal Justice

One of the main proponents of critical legal studies was Roberto Unger

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Criminal Justice

What is the cognitive-behavioral approach?

What will be an ideal response?

Criminal Justice

__________ assumes that society can remove an offender's capacity to commit further crimes by detention in prison or by execution

Fill in the blank(s) with correct word

Criminal Justice