Criminal charges and ethical dilemmas in three case studies

Criminal Activities

First and foremost, Alison's actions were clearly criminal. She was trying to find a lighter in order to smoke illegal narcotics, which is why she broke into the vehicle in the first place. Yet, the charge of burglary may be hard to stick, as she technically did not steal anything, nor did she ever really intend to. If anything, she could be charged with the petty theft of the lighter, although she never actually got to steal it because she passed out in the front seat. Still, there are more appropriate charges that would stick better. For instance, she could be charged with possession, breaking and entering, and vandalism. These would be more appropriate in regards to her destructive behavior and her destruction of private property.

Part II

Although Bernice is in a dire situation, with little help available to her if she remained honest regarding the amount of money she makes a year, her actions are still criminal. First, she lied on an official welfare application, which means that she has committed welfare fraud. The fact that she knew how much she really makes a year, and that she intentionally changed the documents showing her income, makes her guilty of welfare fraud and forging of official government documents (Northwest Justice Project, 2013). This, however, is still a pretty precarious situation, based on the ethical notion of Bernice's crimes. She committed this welfare fraud in order to better provide for her three children, but that still does not change the fact that she broke the law. There were other options available for her in order get the assistance she needed. Moreover, if an individual is denied welfare benefits for any reason, as Bernice probably would have been, they "can ask for a fair hearing and ask [their] legal services office for advice," (Northwest Justice Project, 2013). Still, Bernice did not do this, and thus her actions can be deemed as criminal.

Part IV

Prostitution is definitely not a victimless crime. Although Candy herself does not feel victimized, that does not mean that all girls in a life of prostitution feel the same way. In fact, millions of women around the globe are victimized each day because of their role as prostitutes. Many were forced into the profession, while others suffer greatly at the hands of pimps, madams, and even their clients. According to the research, "prostitution is sexual harassment, rape, battering, verbal abuse, domestic violence, a racist practice, a violation of human rights, childhood sexual abuse, a consequence of male domination over women and a means of maintaining male domination of women" (Montaldo, 2012). Although not everyone feels the pain of extreme victimization, there are too many cases otherwise, and thus prostitution is clearly not a victimless crime.

The question of whether or not prostitution should be legal is a complicated one. Most countries allow some for of sex for sale, with only a few banning it outright (Montaldo, 2012). Still, with such a threat of victimizing the female workers in the sex industry, I do not think it should become a legal practice. There is just too many complications that come with legalization.