CONSERVATIVES JOIN LIBERALS TO FIGHT THE OVER CRIMINALIZATION OF AMERICAN SOCIETY

Now that the government is prosecuting many business executives for criminal offenses an article in the New York Times points out that conservative leaders are joining with criminal defense attorneys and people on the left in arguing that the government has exceeded its power by using criminal laws to intrude upon the private lives of individuals. Conservatives are objecting to the excessive power used by Federal agents and courts to pursue individuals charged with criminal offenses.

Conservatives such as Reagan attorneys general Edwin Meese III and DickThornburg now find themselves working with organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union to oppose the over criminalization of American society.Meese has criticized the astounding number and vagueness of federal criminal laws. Conservatives have pointed out that there are over 4400 Federal criminal crimes criminalizing such activities as making a false weather report or importing lobsters.

Experts in the field point to conservative justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas who have joined with more moderate justices in decisions limiting the ability of the government to use evidence at trial when the evidence is not subject to critical cross examination.

Conservatives find themselves particularly in opposition to criminal laws that allow for the seizure of private property used in criminal activity. Religious groups attack laws that prevent rehabilitation of criminals. Many conservatives are worried about the enormous cost of maintaining the world’s largest prison system.