Federal Role In Crime Control

Proponents of prohibition are quick to argue how crime technically decreased in its fourteen years before being repealed. While this is true for minor crimes of the times like mischief and vagrancy, organized crime saw a sharp increase once the Eighteenth Amendment outlawed alcoholic substances. While the Volstead Act was passed to enforce the amendment, and had an immediate amount of success, it was also attributed to an increase in the homicide rate to 10 per 100,000 population during the 1920s, a 78 percent increase over the pre-Prohibition period rate of 5.8 per 100,000.

When comparing the crime control law enforcement approach in contrast to the approach the rights-based approach to law enforcement it is import to the differences in being a crime fighter versus a public servant. The dynamics of each bring uniquely different philosophical objectives and outcomes for the public. What is the primary role of law enforcement? Some would argue combating crime is the primary role. Others would argue providing protection through service is the primary role. In either case, when examining each philosophy it is important to objectively view the outcomes each provides.

In this case, the advantages of the crime control model would be that they would catch more guilty people. Which is a good thing because they may be getting the dangerous or hateful criminals off of the streets, increasing the safety of the public. Along with that they would actually be getting punished because in many cases criminals are let go. While the advantages of the due process model would be that the ones found innocent would be let go if there was no evidence. Sadly, many incarcerated are not guilty and in this case all of the strip searches and questioning would give them the ability to prove their innocence.

Congress provided states with a period of seven years in which to ratify the amendment, the approval took just over a year. The government now found itself with a bigger problem than prohibition of alcoholic beverages. As the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and police worked to control and end mob (organized crime) violence, and as the country suffered through the early years of the Great Depression, lawmakers in Washington reconsidered the amendment. On February 20, 1933, the U.S. Congress proposed that the Eighteenth Amendment be repealed. Approved by the states in December of that year, the Twenty-First Amendment declared the Eighteenth Amendment null. The manufacture, transportation, and consumption of alcoholic beverages was again legal in the United States; this ended the 13-year period of Prohibition. Franklin D Roosevelt, president at the time of repeal, called Prohibition a "noble

One of the reasons why America changed its mind on Prohibition was the increase in crime rates. In fact,

Recent surveys have indicated that crime rate in the United States is on the rise. Crime in the U.S. is classified into property crime and violent crime. These criminal activities have a considerable impact on a state’s social and economic growth and development. Different states in the U.S. have developed different strategies to combat crime, which continues to transform in form and frequency. A number of policies, options, and approaches to crime control exist. This report explores some of the policies, options, and approaches that could be used by Florida to enhance crime control.

Beginning in the 1830’s, temperance movements began pushing for abstinence from alcohol. The wartime Prohibition Act was passed in 1918 in order to save grain for the war effort. A year later, the 18th amendment was ratified and went into effect on the federal level. This outlaw of alcohol gave rise to an organized network of crime, including gangsters like Al Capone and speakeasies (Kelly). The Prohibition was meant to keep people away from the negative effects of drinking (Esler, Ellis

Those who suffered majorly during the Great Depression turned to liquor, sooner or later, the 18th amendment came along and banished the manufacture and production of alcohol. This made the crime rate rise slightly, violence and assault was a predominant part of it. Bank robberies were a big part of criminal activities that resulted oddly in court; the court wasn't that experience until the supreme court building was build. Peddlers would deliver moonshine and pitch it to underground bars where individuals can get together and go drink. Irregular raids by the FBI made everybody go ballistic and battle back against the administration. Al Capone, otherwise called the world's most wanted mobster made a pattern for liquor and transformed it into a multi million dollar business. Transportation amongst refineries and bars was unsafe for mobsters like Al Capone. If somebody somehow managed to be caught for trafficking illicit alcohol, a shootout would in all probability break out. This raised the wrongdoing rate from thirty percent to about fifty percent. The benefits that these groups make were getting quarreled over different gangs which made a break up and got members locked up, this was a reason that the percentage went so high. Homicide and killings were very common during this time, the prohibition act was a failed attempt of alcohol banishment. Alcohol back then was around 40% then rapidly kept rising all

If during all of this process no agreement or deal has been made it goes to trial. “A trail is the proceeding during which the government and the defense present evidence to prove or disprove the charges” (Victim Assistance, 2013). If the defendant chooses to have a trial by jury than the jury selection process begins. “Twelve jurors are selected randomly from the jury pool, a list of potential jurors compiled from voter registration records of people living in the district” (Steps in the Federal Criminal Process, 2015). An ideal jury should consist of all types of people from different races and cultures (Steps in the Federal Criminal Process, 2015). Each attorney asks each potential jury member questions about their prejudices to help them decide whether or not they want them on the jury (Steps in the Federal Criminal Process, 2015). The judge is there to make sure that the attorneys are fair with their questions, and that the jury selection ends up fair and impartial.

There has long been a debate over which, if any, are the most effective methods of crime control. Governments from bottom to top in our nation have poured over the issue with mixed results for as long as there has been a nation. Until very recently deterrence was completely based on fear of punishment. However, recent years have provided us with a more complete understanding of crime and its roots among the more desirable parts of our society, specifically the mind of a criminal. Through the study of psychology, specifically free will, determinism and social identity, we may find that situational crime prevention is a better means to deter crime in our nation.

From January 16, 1919 to December 5,1933, the Volstead Act made it illegal to sale, manufacture, or transport alcohol. Although the Volstead Act was to stop drinking completely, it did just the opposite. People were willing to drink alcohol illegally which gave way to bootlegging, speakeasies, gangsters and organized crime.Mark Twain summarizes this time by saying, “Prohibition only drives drunkenness behind doors and does not cure it, or even diminish it.”

According to class lecture Prohibition was designed in the 1920s’ to restriction of the production, sale, transportation, importation, and exportation of alcoholic beverages, began when the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution went into effect on January 16, 1920. It also appears that the prohibition act was because of the women’s rights and to increase morality all together because after all alcohol is the second consumption that kills people. Roosevelt was also trying to prove that the people were not as strong as federal law. Little did he know that it did the direct opposite. The liquor was produced by gangs and caused a lot of wars between gangs to see what turf the gangs had, soon major cities had a lot of crime and criminals.

During World War 1 president Woodrow Wilson called for a prohibition of alcohol to save the grain for food. During that same year, Congress passed the 18th Amendment, banning manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcohol. People did indeed still drink, although illegally. This was known as “bootlegging, speakeasies, moonshine, and bathtub gin.” The price of bootleg liquor was extremely high, yet many still spent the money so they could drink it. With the start of the Great Depression, jobs were in need. When President Roosevelt was elected, he called for the prohibition to be appealed. And on December 5th, 1933, Congress passed the 21st Amendment, recalling the 18th Amendment.(history.com)

Because of the passing of the Volstead Act in 1920, production and distribution of alcohol became an extremely profitable business. With this also came a noticeable rise in organized crime in many of the big cities. Even worse, the crimes committed by members of these gangs became more violent. Soon prisons were overcrowded and were merely hold facilities.

Part 1: Nature, Extent, Impact of Crime Policy on Crime & the Administration of Justice in the U.S.