Law and Crime: The Tom and Jerry Game | Office of Justice Programs

Abstract

Crime continually changes as technology changes and criminals take advantage of gaps in the laws. In response, the laws themselves are changed. These changes can involve new definitions of crime or the decriminalization of certain activities, increases in penalties, or new procedures to deal with such phenomena as terrorism, organized crime, and drugs. In the face of the most important criminal behavior, countries usually make their laws more aggressive, thereby favoring the rights of the community while reducing the rights of individuals. The appearance in different countries of legislation addressing the same type of criminality demonstrates the international character of activity like computer-related crimes. However, may international crimes are not yet covered by international conventions. Currently no international convention addresses terrorism, because nations vary widely in their attitudes regarding the political and diplomatic implications of terrorism. In addition, the process of preparing, adopting, signing, and ratifying an international convention usually takes decades. Moreover, to develop international sanctions, trials, and law enforcement, nations must be willing to give up part of their national sovereignty. Until then, criminals will still have the advantage.