Criminal Justice and Moral Issues / Edition 1

by Robert F. Meier, Gilbert Geis

Overview

This text addresses the following two questions: "What kinds of problems can the law solve?" and "What kinds of problems does the law create?"

Using these questions as starting points, Meier and Geis evenhandedly explore the role and function of law relating to six major issues that often divide Americans today: prostitution, drug use, homosexuality, abortion, pornography, and gambling. Statutes and public opinion have shifted dramatically over recent decades in regard to these behaviors. The book details these developments and offers explanations of why they have occurred.

Some people view all or some of these behaviors as acts that ought to be permitted, as part of individual freedom. Others find one, some, or all of them to be genuine threats to the country's social and moral fiber and believe that they ought to be criminalized. Still others maintain that action ought to be taken to limit some of the behaviors, but that using the criminal justice system is not the best way to proceed.

Meier and Geis' provocative book offers sophisticated, in-depth discussions of these issues, then reviews the conflicting opinions about the proper role of criminal law in dealing with them. It is written in straightforward, jargon-free language, providing an ideal background for exploring the facts and views regarding what are often contentious concerns.

Criminal Justice and Moral Issues increases student understanding through the abundant use of relevant illustrations, examples, and case studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195330601
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	07/29/2005
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	8.90(w) x 5.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

University of Nebraska, Omaha

University of California, Irvine

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Morality, Harm, and Criminal JusticeCrimes Without Victims? The Notion of HarmMorality and Criminal LawSuicide and Attempted SuicidePhysician-Assisted SuicideUsuryBad SamaritansMotorcycle HelmetsDetermining Moral StandardsConclusionChapter 2: Prostitution/Sex WorkThe Biblical HeritageCriminal Law and ProstitutionExplaining the Law's IntransigenceProstitution and Sexual LiberationThe Cast in the Performance of ProstitutionUrban Enforcement: Los AngelesThe BMW CaperThe Hollywood MadamLicensed Brothels: NevadaThe Wolfenden Report and Kerb CrawlingFeminism and ProstitutionLegalizing Prostitution: Yeas and NaysProstitution, Venereal Disease, and AIDSOther Impacts of ProstitutionProstitutes, Pimps, and the PublicThe Prostitute/Sex WorkerCustomers/JohnsPimpsImpact of Prostitution on SocietyConclusionFor Legalizing ProstitutionAgainst Decriminalizing ProstitutionChapter 3: DrugsWhat Is a Drug? Patterns of Drug UseIllegal Drug Use: MarijuanaIllegal Drug Use: HeroinIllegal Drug Use: CocaineHow Much Do Illegal Drugs Cost? The Relationship Between Crime and DrugsDrug-Defined CrimesDrug-Related CrimesDrug-Using CrimesCurrent Drug Policies and How We Got ThereDrugs, Race, and EthnicityThe Prohibition ExperienceModern Legal ProhibitionsThe Netherlands' Approach to Drug ControlWhat Kind of a Problem Is 'Drugs'? Decriminalization Does Not Solve the Problem of DrugsConclusionChapter 4: HomosexualityDefining HomosexualityHomosexual BehaviorHomosexual Preference or OrientationHomosexual Identity or Self-ConceptCauses of HomosexualityThe Biological PerspectiveThe Learning PerspectivePublic Opinion and HomosexualityThe Regulation of HomosexualityThe Social Regulation of SexualityReligious and Legal Regulation of SexualityThe Consequences of Legal RegulationThe Gay Movement and Gay CommunitiesTwo Additional IssuesSame-Sex MarriagesHomosexuality as a Protected StatusConclusionChapter 5: AbortionTheology and AbortionRoman CatholicismJudaismAbortion Before It Became LegalRoe v. Wade and Its ProgenyRoe v. Wade (1973)The Webster Decision (1989)The Casey Decision (1992)The Partial-Birth Abortion Act (2003)Unborn Victims of Violence Act (2004)RU-486 (Mifepristone)Plan B: The Morning After PillParental Notification and AbortionHow Many Abortions Are There? Abortion Views in ContextArguments: Pro and ConArguments Against Legalized AbortionArguments for Legalized AbortionConclusionChapter 6: PornographyDefinitionsThe Ubiquity of PornographyThe Pornography IndustryThe Pornography CommissionsPublic Concern Over PornographyThe Regulation of PornographyThe Law and PornographyThe Effects of PornographyHarmful EffectsPositive Effects, or Potentially Beneficial Functions of PornographyThe Feminist Response to PornographyConclusionChapter 7: GamblingThe Context of GamblingCasino GamblingSlot MachinesRiverboat GamblingNative-American CasinosInternet GamblingLotteriesGambling on NumbersLotteries Re-emergeOff-Track BettingConclusionChapter 8: ConclusionHarm, Risk, and the LawCan the Law Create Problems? What Should We Call Them? The Wolfenden ReportAre There Limits to Law? ImmoralityPrivacyAlternative ControlsHarm to OthersAre They Enforceable? What Problems Are Appropriate for Law? ConclusionAuthor IndexSubject Index

Editorial Reviews

"The writing style is extremely clear and the treatment of topics very balanced, providing an approach that examines the issues fairly and head-on."—Richard A. Ball, Pennsylvania State University

From the Publisher