Compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful
Law Enforcement
In every country, there are irregularities in the law. Consequently, the government must have bodies in charge of enforcing the law and, at the same time, punishing those who choose to ignore it.
Law Enforcement refers to the action generated by such state bodies where individuals who have committed acts against the country’s law are investigated, apprehended, and punished.
For this purpose, the government has different organizations, each dedicated to a particular activity to enforce the law. From law enforcement agencies in charge of arrests to criminology teams, all have the function of ensuring that the law is enforced.
Law Enforcement Rights
Although judicial bodies are in charge of enforcing the law, every individual has rights that must be taken into account when enforcing the law. From the presumption of innocence to due process, each right must be met to conduct proper and fair law enforcement for all.
Presumption of Innocence in Law Enforcement
Every individual’s first right is the presumption of innocence, so law enforcement cannot act against him until proven otherwise. To apprehend an individual, it is necessary to have conclusive evidence or to find the criminal in the act.
To fulfill this task, investigation teams are dedicated to collecting data, fingerprints, and evidence to prove that an individual is guilty. Once enough evidence has been collected, a judge can be called upon to order the apprehension of a specific person.
Right to due process
Every individual must be processed equally when it comes to applying the law. From arrest warrants to the right to a trial, due process should be afforded to every person regardless of race, creed, or social status.
In recent years this has become a topic of debate among Americans, where law enforcement agencies arrest or detain individuals without sufficient evidence. This makes it a direct crime of kidnapping to deprive someone of their liberty without adequate reasons.
Finally, we have also seen officers mistreat individuals of different races. In these, they abuse their power as law enforcement to bypass due process and blame innocent people for crimes they did not commit.
Are there mitigating or aggravating factors when it comes to Law Enforcement?
Every time a law enforcement agency detains an individual for investigation; data is taken from the individual and stored in a database for comparison. Individuals who have not previously committed minor crimes often have certain mitigating factors that lessen the strength of their sentence.
On the other hand, individuals who are repeat offenders have aggravating circumstances that may increase the criminal penalty to correct inappropriate behavior.
What is the importance of Law Enforcement?
Enforcing the law within a country provides the necessary order for its inhabitants. Although laws enunciate individuals’ rights and duties, a body must be dedicated to law enforcement.
In this way, we can be sure that those who violate society’s regulations will not re-offend by committing these crimes and will seek to get back on track, becoming useful individuals for society once again.
