NCJ Number
6462
Journal
International Review of Criminal Policy Issue: 27 Dated: (1969) Pages: 3-8
Date Published
1969
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A SOCIETY MUST ACCEPT AND UNDERSTAND THE UNDERLYING NORMS AND PROCESSES OF ITS LEGAL SYSTEM IF LAY PARTICIPATION IN THE SYSTEM IS TO BE EFFECTIVE.
Abstract
A SYSTEM IS POTENTIALLY WEAK IF THERE IS A LARGE GAP BETWEEN GENERALLY HELD CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL DEVIANCE AND POSITIVE LAW. IN DEVELOPING NATIONS, ASSIMILATION OF A SYSTEM OF MODERN CRIMINAL NORMS IS POSSIBLE, BUT MUST BE SLOW IF IT IS TO BE PARTICIPATORY. PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE OF WESTERN CRIMINAL PROCESSES IN DEVELOPING AREAS IS HINDERED BY ADOPTION OF FORMS WHICH ARE MEANINGLESS IN THE CONTEXT OF NATIVE CULTURE. IN ANY SOCIETY, THERE MUST BE A BALANCE STRUCK BETWEEN THE NEEDS OF LAY PARTICIPATION AND GUARANTEES PROVIDED BY PROFESSIONALS.