moral crime

Moral crimes

Moral crimes are crimes that go against the normal standard of morality within society

Examples

Assisted dying, prostitution, underage drinking, illegal gambling and illegal drug use

Typical offenders

This differs from crime to crime, however, is commonly a consenting adult taking the crime willingly

For some e.g. drug dealers, it may be a source of income that enables them to support their families

Some may feel forced into offending

Homelessness often leads to criminal activity as it is the only way a person can obtain essential for everyday survival E.g. food and water

Typical victims

Often thought to be victimless. However, the offender and the victim are often the same person.

E.g. a drug purchaser buying drugs for personal use is committing a crime. as drugs are potentially harmful, the victim of the crime is the user of the drugs

Level of public awareness

Often low as many offences are hidden from offenders families and the wider public

Also, it tends to be a crime that the public ignored due to sympathy for the victim/offenders

Moral crime (criminal/deviant?)

Criminal – these acts break criminal law, although there is disagreement about whether they should be e.g. the use of cannabis

Deviant – some of these acts are deviant as they are against the norms of society

Other acts, e.g. underage drinking are so widely accepted by society that they are not seen as deviant

Examples of moral crimes

Underage drinking.

Illegal gambling

Prostitution

Assisted suicide

Drug possession

Speeding