OvercriminalizationOvercriminalization refers to the idea that laws regulating public morality may result in a substantial diversion of police, prosecutorial, and judicial time, personnel and resources (Course Syllabus, 2008). While legislative views on morality may, legitimately, be included in crimes such as murder, rape and other violent crimes, they may inappropriately extend to other areas of our lives, such as our sexual preference (sodomy) and use of intoxicants (i.e. Prohibition).
How far into the private lives of citizens may government-sanctioned views of morality properly intrude?Some states have different laws that apply only to those who are of a different sexual orientation, and in some cases of age. While in some cases age is understandable, sexual orientation is not, provided it is with two consenting adults. While all this makes enough sense to the common person, why would you want the government in your business, regardless of your sexual orientation? Or even worse should the government be able to treat you differently based on your sexual preference?As laws are passed and views are imposed on us, by those laws that are presented we presume that we are supposed to go with the flow or the majority so to speak.
English: Gender symbols, sexual orientation: heter...
A stack of the iPods I now own... included are the...
It starts with her beauty in my eyes, it moves to ...People do not want to seem as though they are different. It is far easier to follow the majority without flack, than it is to be in the minority, and receive the repercussions of being different.
Now that we have deemed what is inappropriate for the government sanction morally incorrect, we will discuss what is appropriate for the government to have a say in. There are of course laws and rules for a reason, to maintain order among the masses. Without laws and rules, people would not have order, and things would be in chaos. Although it may seem that I feel law...