NCJ Number
4820
Journal
JUSTICE MAGAZINE Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (MAY 1972) Pages: 25-27
Date Published
1972
Length
3 pages
Annotation
ARGUMENT FOR THE REMOVAL OF SUCH VICTIMLESS CRIMES AS DRUNKENNESS, GAMBLING, ADDICTION, LOITERING, PROSTITUTION, FROM STATE CRIMINAL CODES.
Abstract
TODAY, LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGE IN THE VICTIMLESS CRIME AREA IS A PERSISTENT PHENOMENON. LAWS IN A DOZEN STATES HAVE BEEN CHANGED ON DRUNKENNESS, VAGRANCY, AND OTHER CRIMES AND, IN A FAR GREATER NUMBER OF CITIES, ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS BY POLICE ON WHAT LAWS THEY ENFORCE HAVE SIMPLY NEGATED SOME VICTIMLESS CRIME LAWS THAT ARE ON THE BOOKS. THE PRINCIPAL REASON FOR THIS CHANGE IS THE RECOGNITION BY POLICE AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS THAT AS LONG AS THEY ATTEMPT TO ENFORCE VICTIMLESS CRIME LAWS, THEY WILL HAVE SCANT TIME FOR ANYTHING ELSE. TWO ADDITIONAL INDICES SUGGEST THE GREAT SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM - (1) HALF OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN JAIL ARE IN FOR VICTIMLESS CRIME, (2) COST OF DEALING WITH SUCH OFFENSES THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS HELD TO BE IN EXCESS OF 2 BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.