SHORTENING THE LONG ARM OF THE CRIMINAL LAW - TOWARD A STRATEGY FOR DECRIMINALIZATION

• NCJ Number: 36751
• Journal: PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCATION ON PROBATION, PAROLE, AND CORRECTION QUARTERLY Volume: 31 Issue: 3 Dated: (AUTUMN 1974)
• Author(s): J V TIL
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 11 pages
• Corporate Author: Pennsylvania Assoc on Probation, Parole & Correction
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS PAPER REVIEWS THE CASE FOR THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF NINE VICTIMLESS CRIMES AND PROPOSES THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BROAD-BASED COALITION OF CITIZENS AND PROFESSIONAL GROUPS TO REPEAL PERTINENT RESTRICTIVE LEGISLATION.

Abstract

A DISTINCTION IS DRAWN BETWEEN DECRIMINALIZATION (THE REMOVAL OF THE CRIMINAL SANCTION), LEGALIZATION (THE FULL AVAILABILTY OF SERVICES SURROUNDING THE ACT), AND REGULATION (LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT OF THE FREE MARKET AVAILABILITY OF THE ACT). HOWEVER, IT IS CONTENDED THAT WHILE ALL OF THE OFFENSES EXAMINED SHOULD BE DECRIMINALIZED, MOST OF THEM SHOULD BE REGULATED AND/OR LEGALIZED AS WELL. DISCUSSED ARE PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS, DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND VAGRANCY, GAMBLING, PROSTITUTION, PORNOGRAPHY AND OBSCENITY, HOMOSEXUALITY AND OTHER CONSENSUAL ACTS AMONG ADULTS, POSSESSION AND USE OF MARIJUANA, AND ABORTION.