NCJ Number
44978
Date Published
1977
Length
17 pages
Annotation
LAW ENFORCEMENT ASPECTS OF VICTIMLESS CRIMES -- SEX OFFENSES, DRUG ADDICTION, DRUNKENNESS, AND GAMBLING -- ARE DISCUSSED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEALING WITH VICTIMLESS CRIMES ARE OFFERED.
Abstract
SEX OFFENSES THAT GENERALLY FALL WITHIN THE VICTIMLESS CRIME CATEGORY ARE PROSTITUTION, HOMOSEXUALITY, AND PORNOGRAPHY. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT MILLIONS OF TAX DOLLARS ARE WASTED ATTEMPTING TO ENFORCE PORNOGRAPHY AND PROSTITUTION LAWS. GREATER REGULATION OF THE BUSINESS SIDE OF PORNOGRAPHY IS SUGGESTED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO POLICE INTERVENTION. THE BRITISH AND FRENCH SYSTEMS OF REGULATING RATHER THAN CRIMINALIZING PROSTITUTION IS NOTED. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT NO SOUND REASONS EXIST FOR CRIMINAL LAW TO BE USED TO PROHIBIT SEXUAL ACTIVITY BETWEEN CONSENTING ADULTS. WITH REGARD TO DRUG ADDICTION AND DRUNKENNESS, IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THE POLICE LACK THE RESOURCES TO COMBAT THE MEDICAL, PSYCHIATRIC, AND OTHER PROBLEMS UNDERLYING ADDICTION AND ALCOHOLISM. A NUMBER OF GAMBLING-RELATED ISSUES ARE CITED: GAMING LAWS DO NOT WORK; FEW GAMING REGULATIONS EXIST; ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROLS ALMOST ALL FORMS OF GAMING; GAMING PROMOTES CORRUPTION; PEOPLE WANT TO AND WILL GAMBLE; THE COSTS TO SOCIETY OF ENFORCING GAMING LAWS ARE GREATER THAN THE RETURNS; GAMBLING DIVERTS MONEY FROM MANY FAMILIES IN NEED; AND COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS ARE SICK PEOPLE IN NEED OF HELP. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING SOCIETY'S RESPONSE TO THE ACTIVITIES CATEGORIZED AS VICTIMLESS CRIMES ARE OFFERED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT, BY PLACING POLICE IN THE MIDST OF THESE ACTIVITIES, POLICE CORRUPTION IS PROMOTED. SCHEMATIC DIAGRAMS DEPICTING IMPLICATIONS OF VICTIMLESS CRIMES ARE INCLUDED.