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Should All U.S. Criminal Law Be A Federal Statute?

Carjosse

Carjosse

Sit Nomine Digna
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Here in Canada the provinces cannot make criminal law, only the federal government can. I have one simple question do you think having one federal criminal code would work in the United Sates or not? I forgot the poll again just move it to political discussion or Law and Order.
 
Being a strong advocate for states rights I am going to say no. In my opinion we need to shift course and move away from giving the Federal government more powers. We have been on this Federal expansion way to long now, its time to stop and hit reverse.
 
Baralis said:
Being a strong advocate for states rights I am going to say no. In my opinion we need to shift course and move away from giving the Federal government more powers. We have been on this Federal expansion way to long now, its time to stop and hit reverse.
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THe problem I find is that you have jurisdictions lagging behind in that situation. Here since criminal law is federal abortion was legalized in the entirety of the country in one go instead of each province having to pass it or never passing it thus insuring that all women have access to legalized abortion. Though it really wasn't completely legal till a supreme court decision tossed out all abortion laws due to be being unconstitutional.
 
0bserver92 said:
THe problem I find is that you have jurisdictions lagging behind in that situation. Here since criminal law is federal abortion was legalized in the entirety of the country in one go instead of each province having to pass it or never passing it thus insuring that all women have access to legalized abortion. Though it really wasn't completely legal till a supreme court decision tossed out all abortion laws due to be being unconstitutional.
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I believe abortion should be a state decision and not a federal decision. We are a country that consists and was built on many different cultures, beliefs, and ideals many of which conflict with each other so why force so many to conform to a single standard? I believe allowing the states and more localized governing bodies to determine what is best for its people is a better option then national laws which forces many people to live under things they do not agree with.
 
I think I'm gonna come down on the side of "yes" on this one. I had to think about it for a while, given how much of our legal system would have to change under these circumstances, but one factor tilted the scale for me. Uniformity of law. States are not isolated. Travel between them, and moving from state to state, usually for a new job, is very common. Some people live in one state and work in another. It seems foolish for different rules to apply merely for crossing a line within a single nation. Differing state rules (not just criminal, but especially a WHOLE LOT of procedural rules stemming from state level appeals court cases) can make life arbitrarily and unexpectedly complex for Americans.

Many people complain that our laws are too complex for a layperson to ever understand. They are absolutely right to do so. Creating uniformity, rather than having each state's own peculiarities of law, would simplify a whole lot. More people would be able to better understand their legal rights and responsibilities, and unnecessary litigation could be cut down. Consolidating our laws and making them uniform throughout the nation would make things easier for a lot of people.
 
Baralis said:
I believe abortion should be a state decision and not a federal decision. We are a country that consists and was built on many different cultures, beliefs, and ideals many of which conflict with each other so why force so many to conform to a single standard?
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Because throughout the nation, people have equal rights regardless of which state they happen to be in
 
sangha said:
Because throughout the nation, people have equal rights regardless of which state they happen to be in
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This is the very argument that has lead to Federal expansion. One group of people or another feel that whatever they view as just or right should be a national standard instead of allowing others to decide what is right for themselves.
 
sangha said:
Because throughout the nation, people have equal rights regardless of which state they happen to be in
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Okay. What about 3 + 1? Is that the same as 4, or different?
 
0bserver92 said:
Here in Canada the provinces cannot make criminal law, only the federal government can. I have one simple question do you think having one federal criminal code would work in the United Sates or not? I forgot the poll again just move it to political discussion or Law and Order.
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Emphatically NO.
 
AlabamaPaul said:
Trust me, he/she/it is not worth the effort...
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I see. It's alarming that basic, observable truths are simply ignored There are an infinite number of ways to get to 4. Some desirable, some not.
 
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