When Is Crime Not A Crime? (JJ)

When Is Crime Not A Crime?

               

  Crime happens all the time, but there are enforced laws that we as a society must follow to at least present such things from occurring. Most of the time there is a victim and a suspect involved within a crime. But people who possess drugs, drink often, attempt suicide and vagrancy are debated as to whether they are the criminals or victims. In terms of definition, crime is described as actions that are not accepted or are harmful to the society, and break  the law. Many believe that victimizing oneself and not  society as a whole should be legal. However, there are others who think otherwise due to religious beliefs and the possibility of others becoming indirect victims.

            

There are people who argue that since we control our own body and mind, we are responsible for the things that we do. They believe that governments should not implement laws that restrict what people can and cannot do with their own bodies. There are certain activities in which, other than the participants, nobody else is harmed , yet these acts are  are still considered unlawful. For instance, vagrants, drug users, and suicide attempters are considered criminals and immoral. The participants of these activities only harm themselves., leading many to believe that as long as society is not threatened, then those acts should be legal to some extent, so long as they do not interfere with a person’s moral judgment.

           

Although there are situations in which an illegal activity does not put society in danger, there are still some cases in which others who are involved become threatened and harmed. There are several examples in which alcoholism, possession of marijuana or vagrancy may be accepted as illegal, such as an alcoholic father who mistreats his wife or even his children, then there is no doubt that cases of alcoholism should be illegal. Another example would be the parasitic ways of vagrants due to their dependency on others for food, shelter, and transportation. Therefore, many consider them as a barren to society. Although suicide is now legal or no longer an act of crime in Canada, there are many religions, such as Christianity and Judaism ,that are still against it. Society may have changed their view of suicide as something that is accepted, but the religious beliefs of others still view them as immoral and something that should be considered illegal. Even though many still disagree with legalizing suicide , our society has grown to see that it can be beneficial for those who have sickness, are un-treatable, and  have nothing left to do but feel pain until they die.

There are certain crimes that I believe should be considered as legal because others are not harmed except the partakers. However, there is still a high chance that others who are not directly involved in situations like those may become victims of different ways. Hence, I fully support the law because it helps prevent dangerous activities from occurring as well others from suffering the effects of them.