NCJ Number
11904
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (DECEMBER 1973) Pages: 401-408
Date Published
1973
Length
8 pages
Annotation
REBUTTAL OF AN ARTICLE SUPPORTING CONTINUED PROSECUTION OF VICTIMLESS CRIMES SUCH AS PROSTITUTION, HOMOSEXUAL PRACTICES, OBSCENITY, GAMBLING, AND NARCOTICS ABUSE.
Abstract
THE AUTHORS USE FACTUAL INFORMATION TO DISPROVE CONTENTIONS THAT PROSTITUTION IS CONTROLLED BY ORGANIZED CRIME. THEY ALSO DISCREDIT THE CORRELATION BETWEEN PROSTITUTION AND DRUG USE. COMMENTS ON HOMOSEXUALITY INDICATE THAT THE CRIMES COMMITTED BY THESE INDIVIDUALS (SEDUCING MINORS, PERFORMING FELONIOUS SEX ACTS, ASSAULT, ROBBERY, AND MURDER) ARE ALSO COMMITTED BY HETEROSEXUALS AND ARE NOT SOUND BASES FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY. SURVEYS BY PSYCHIATRISTS, SEX EDUCATORS, AND SOCIAL WORKERS, ARE CITED TO DISPROVE THE NOTION THAT PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL HAS HARMFUL EFFECTS ON ADULTS OR ADOLESCENTS. IN LIGHT OF THE FINDING THAT GAMBLING HAS TAKEN PLACE IN ALL SOCIETIES IN SOME FORM, THE AUTHORS RECOMMEND UNIFORM GAMBLING LAWS AND MAXIMUM SAFEGUARDS AGAINST INFILTRATION BY ORGANIZED CRIME RATHER THAN PROHIBITION AGAINST GAMBLING. IN THE SECTION ON DRUG ABUSE, THE AUTHORS STATE THAT WHAT A PERSON DOES WITH HIS OWN BODY SHOULD BE NO CONCERN OF THE LAW, AND THEY DISCREDITS THE FINDING THAT MARIJUANA USE IS A STEPPING-STONE TO HEROIN ADDICTION.