Gang problems in the US AND Canada.Why not make it so that gang members are guilty by association?

Question

if you are a member ,you are guilty ,period.Automatic sentence,5 years.Repeat offense 10 years.

no problem,lets write an amendment to the constitution.Hasnt Bush already done that because of terrorism even though I havent seen any terrorists in my neighbourhood?

I mean gangs are TERRORISTS IN the truest sense of the word

Answer 1

Because there is a fine line between a "gang" and a "club", and which term your group is called is usually determined by how much money you make.

Besides, one of the cornerstones of our justice system is the principle that we don't hold anybody responsible for other people's actions unless they helped them commit their crime in some discernible way. Laws against associating with criminals in specific ways which support and assist their illegal acts such as "aiding and abetting", "conspiracy", "inciting violence", and being an "accomplice" to a crime already address this.

Answer 2

First, not all gangs are terrorists. All gangs are not even criminal -- even if some are.

Let's say all a gang ever does is petty theft (shoplifting) and minor vandalism (spraypainting buildings). Yes, these misdemeanors are criminal actions. But are you seriously saying they rise to the level of "terrorism" -- because if they do, then every criminal in the US would have to be considered a terrorist.

Someone already mentioned the Constitutional problems, since freedom of association is absolutely protected under the 1st Amendment. And yes, our govt has already got around that and has convicted people of felonies based solely on who they associate with -- without anyone actually having committed any other crime beyond mere association.

You want to punish people merely for social interaction -- talking to someone or being in their presence -- even if neither person has yet committed a crime, merely because someone ELSE has committed a crime.

Have we really gone so far down the road to fascism that you can be convicted and imprisoned just because you KNOW someone who knows someone ELSE who has committed a crime?

Answer 3

Yes, I agree with tougher laws on those who are indeed lawbreakers...but I DO NOT agree with this concept of guilt by association. Quite frankly, what you are suggesting borders on the same thing that the Nazis did to the Jewish people...and it is a very severe form of discrimination.
Moreover, it is a violation of 1st Amendment of the US Constitution. Not to mention the Constitional provisions of due process, and an assumption of innocent until proven guilty!

Is it fair for a person to be punished for a crime they didn't commit? How would you like it if someone labeled YOU a gangmember just because you wore the "wrong" clothes or colors, had the "wrong friends or relatives" or had the "wrong" complexion or "wrong" ethnicty? "Wrong" as defined by the powers that be who may be biased themselves?

Should people be considered "guilty by association" because someone in your family was/is a gangmember but you've lived a clean, exemplary life?

Because they happen to be the innocent offspring of an alleged gangmenber?

What if you were a schoolteacher who had gangmembers in your classroom...that's an "association" of sorts?

What about a minister who may have gangmembers in their congregation...as there are many churches who work in inner city areas trying to end the problem with gangs?

What if you are the EMT tech or Doctor who treated a person who got shot during a drive-by shooting...who may or may not be a member of a gang.

What about the many people in the US, Canada and worldwide who made an ill informed choice, joined a gang, but saw the error of their ways, got out of the gang, and are now doing their best to start over clean?

Well, there are people like that...some of them ex-cons who have paid their debt to society! Yet if you had your way, you would continue to punish these people and anyone who walk within a mile of them over and over again, based on your own prejudices and irrational fears?

There are a lot of shades of gray in a so-called black and white world .

Answer 4

In Canada , we have a law regarding that already . A person can be charged AND convicted of "being a member of a criminal organization" .

We have all kids of strict laws regarding criminals , crime , the use of guns while perpetrating a crime , etc .

Yet Canada`s judicial system is a standing joke wordwide . Unfortunately , our justice system isn`t a joke if you live here ! The pathetic state of the travesty known as our "justice" system is due to the fact the people here have NO SAY in the appointment of judges at ANY level !

These "judges" are appointed by the government ...... FOR LIFE ! They live in ivory towers , totally disconnected from reality . Many of them made extremely poor lawyers , but as a "favour" to them for supporting the government of the day , some of these idiots are appointed to the Supreme court .............. if you can believe that !

Canadian judges are convinced a sentence of a year or two for rape , murder , cop killings , child molestation and things of that nature will show criminals and gang members they mean business ! ........... ROFLMAO ! I swear it`s TRUE !!

So what`s the point of strict laws if they`re never going to be enforced or used in sentencing ?

Answer 5

There are communities that do exactly that. I'm not sure which ones they are, I'm sure you can look it up on Google. If a person is KNOWN to be a street gang member they are given particular investigative treatment by police. The sentence for any infraction of the law, drugs, guns, etc, is then compounded by this gang association. I'm all for it!

I'd like to think this question is not about social interaction but active gang membership. Period.

Answer 6

I think that's against the constitution, and would set up a really bad precedent for making it illegal to be a member of all sorts of groups, such as the Junior League, or the Daughters of the Confederacy, or the Elk's Club, or the National Rifle Association, or the Human RIghts Campaign.

But if a gang is known to be violent, then I believe all legal measures should be taken to be rid of them and their guilty members serve extreme punishments.

Answer 7

I personally feel that gang violence, drug abuse, and so forth is out of control, and that anyone who feels like stronger intervention is not required here obviously doesn't care about inner-city people.

I would definitley do harsh sentences for joining a gang that is on some official list of violent gangs. To me, these are terrorists who are destroying lives, disrupting the community, and bringing down our property values.

If I were a person living in the inner city I would be more afraid of a person in gang colors than a police officer, but some see law enforcement as the real threat.

My way of punishing and deterring violent gang membership would be to send them to do community service by day and sleep in a prison cell by night. They develop a strong work ethic, beautify the communities they helped damage, and are prevented from doing more gang violence, at least in the short term.

Answer 8

Russia must be on your checklist of conflict criminals. all the great powers of the worldwide have completed many a grimy deed to alter into great. that's gloomy yet Russia has blood on that is palms only like everybody else. So which you could attempt to declare that the U.ok, Israel, and the united statesa.are "gang" you better upload some extra international locations to that roster, which incorporate Russia.

Answer 9

YAY! Every punk a@sed cop in the country gets to go to the pen, absolutely pass that amendment! Oh yeah, you thought that the Bloods & Crips were the only punk assed gangs oput there, huh? If it applies to the common man it must apply to the badged common a#s!!!!!

Answer 10

they would first have to establish a definition for the word gang. if you make guilt by association legal then alot of people would be going to prison just because of the people they associate with. it seems like a good idea, but remember the road to perdition was paved with good intentions.