NCJ Number
14996
Date Published
1974
Length
116 pages
Annotation
ARGUES AGAINST CRIMINALIZING ACTIVITY THAT OPPOSES POLITICAL AND SOCIAL GOALS OF PARTICULAR POWER GROUPS WHEN SUCH GOALS ARE NOT AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONSENSUS FOR POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ORDER.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR HOLDS THAT WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM BEHAVIOR LABELED SUBVERSIVE TO NATIONAL GOALS AND ORDER SHOULD BE CONFINED TO THE NARROWEST LIMITS. HE ARGUES THAT IN THE CASES OF DR. SPOCK, THE CHICAGO SEVEN, FATHER BERRIGAN, ANGELA DAVIS, AND DANIEL ELLSBERG, THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO PROSECUTE THREATENED THE LEGITIMACY OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE FOR SIZEABLE SEGMENTS OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. HE SEES GREAT DANGER TO CIVIL LIBERTIES WHEN THOSE WHO WIELD THE POWERS OF GOVERNMENT USE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO INTIMIDATE AND SUPPRESS THOSE WHO CHALLENGE THEIR POLITICAL PROGRAMS.