Non-Aggression Principle and Vice - Where's the Crime?

One of the tenets of individual liberty is the Non-Aggression Principle (NAP), which states that no person has the right to initiate force or fraud against any other person for any reason. When the NAP comes up against criminal law as it relates to vices, both should be tested honestly.

Societies have had an ongoing debate about Crime and Vice over centuries. Much of this perpetual conflict comes from the organized Church, which has formulated moral positions on various human behaviors. If you read Old Testament law, you'll find a lot of human acts listed with penalties for committing those acts. But you'll also find that Scriptural penalties are restorative, meaning that they require the perpetrator to make restitution, not incarceration for punishment.

So, in the times in which we live, how does this affect us? Should vices be crimes?

The dictionary defines "vice" as "an immoral or evil habit or practice." It defines "crime" as "an action or an instance of negligence that is deemed injurious to the public welfare or to the interests of the state and that is legally prohibited."

The first challenge is in the definition of "vice." Who makes the determination that any human action is immoral or evil? One man's vice could be another man's living. Each person must have the liberty to test every alleged vice to determine of his own judgment and conscience what may be good and what may be evil.

Some folks have a knee-jerk reaction to vices, and believe that they should be prosecuted by law enforcement and the courts. But is this belief founded in law, old traditions, habits or any desire for liberty?

Punishing crime is meant to guarantee to every person the fullest liberty he can realize that is also consistent with the full liberty of others. An individual must be free in the "pursuit of happiness," even to practice vices that others detest. An individual must be free to use his own judgment, his own body and his own property without restriction so far as the use does not interfere with another individual's quiet enjoyment of his own person and property.

Everyone wants to be protected against violations from other men. But no one wants to be "protected" from himself, since someone else is determining what "protection" is.

So the punishment of crimes can be justified, but the punishment of vices deprives every individual his natural right to pursue his own happiness, the full use of his body and his own property. These two actions are polar opposites, directly opposed to one another. Criminalizing vice is absurd and a crime of itself. Governments should not be instituted and maintained that commit crimes and prosecute crimes simultaneously.

As the philosopher Sallust said in ancient Rome, "Most men do not desire liberty. Most only wish for a just master." But masters make the rules that their property live by. Living under such rules and regulations does not cause people to be more virtuous or more free. It makes them small-minded and vicious and eager to make their fellow man suffer. The minds of men are not elevated by such stupidity, but whipped into shape by superstition and the exercise of raw power.

Here is a list of various vices. You may argue that each is a sin, but you cannot argue successfully that any one of these vices should be a crime. That is, unless you are capable of Cognitive Dissonance, which is holding two opposing viewpoints in your mind at once.

Gambling: This is to risk money, or anything of value, on the outcome of something involving chance. There is no force in a wager. If fraud is determined, then prosecution for that fraud is indicated. But gambling has no victim, and therefore should not be criminal acts. Do not be misled into thinking that those who gamble excessively are victims. They should have the liberty to use their resources in any manner they choose, including wasting the resources. Anything less that this level of individual liberty is tyranny. It is the State attempting to protect individuals from themselves. It is massively hypocritical that many States run gambling operations, but criminalize individuals who do the same.

Prostitution: a voluntary exchange of sexual activity for valuable consideration between two or more individuals. There is no force. If the parties begin their exchange, and either one says "No," further sex would be considered force. If one party infected any other party with a disease, that would be a tortious injury. If one party accepted valuable consideration and did not perform the desired sex act, it would be fraud. So absent intent, force or fraud, prostitution should be entirely legal.

Sex acts including Homosexuality: Sex acts between two or more consenting adults have no victims. There is no intent to harm, commit force or fraud. If some physical harm were to befall any party, they could seek damages in the courts. So, there is not crime in consentual sex acts. Homosexual individuals are free under law to enter into contracts regarding cohabitation and all it entails. If a homosexual can locate a religious leader that will perform a "marriage" ceremony, nothing should prevent that. But the "marriage" should not gain a legal status, since the State has no standing or vested interest in any marriage other than to tax and license it.

Marriage: The Bible is full of men with multiple wives, and most are the pillars of the Christian and Jewish faiths. There should exist no law that prohibits polygamy. The laws against assault, battery, force or fraud are in existence to deal with any criminal issues. The civil courts are available to deal with divorce, child custody and support, and the division of assets. But the State has no standing or vested interest in any marriage other than to tax and license it.

Pornography is sexually explicit pictures, writing, or other material whose primary purpose is to cause sexual arousal. If there is a free exchange of valuable consideration for the pornographic material, then no force or fraud has been committed. If the pornographer uses children, defined as individuals below the age of legal adulthood, who cannot contract for themselves, then there are victims of injury, force or fraud. Those torts should be prosecuted and restoration should be required.

Recreational drug and alcohol use: The use of any substance by a human being to alter his own consciousness is an act without a victim. The user is entirely within his individual liberty to use as little or as much of the substance as he chooses, even to the point of his own death. Mere possession of a substance shows no intent. Private use shows no fraud or force. Recreational drug use should be legal.

Recreational drug /alcohol manufacture and sales: If a manufacturer or grower of any product should manufacture a defective product, there would be fraud and product liability torts could be subject to legal remedy. There is no force in a free exchange of valuable consideration for the manufactured product. So the manufacture and sale of recreational drugs and alcohol should be legal.

Drunk Driving: The mere ingestion of alcoholic beverages should not ever constitute a crime. A person driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol who causes no harm or damage to another individual or his property commits no crime. There must be a victim for there to be a crime. This person under the influence has not committed force or fraud either. So drunk driving laws are not compatible with personal liberty and should be rescinded.

Counterfeiting is an imitation intended to be passed off fraudulently or deceptively as genuine. The US Federal Government, through the Federal Reserve, prints paper currency that has no redemption value. Genuine currency issued by a 100% gold/silver reserve bank would have 100% redeemability. Fractional reserve banking is also counterfeiting since it creates credit with no underlying value. So counterfeiting is fraud, and should be illegal...even when a nation does it.

Cheating in any form is fraud, which has penalties under criminal law.

Lying in any form is fraud. Perjury is lying under oath in a legal proceeding. So, lying may be subject to criminal penalties and restitution of some form. The trick is how to determine how much lying is criminal and how little is legal.

Stealing is depriving another individual of his property...or even his life... by force or fraud. Restitution should be made, but should incarceration be part of the penalty? What purpose does incarceration serve other than punishment? The prisons are full of prisoners who stole things. Were the victims made whole again?

Gun laws: Many gun laws across America make the very possession of a firearm a criminal act. Some outlaw possession in certain locations, Some outlaw concealed carry of a firearm. But the only determinants of criminality should be intent, force or fraud against another individual. Therefore, the criminality of gun possession is itself criminal.

Conclusion

This author holds the hope that the Framers of a new nation, born of a secession by a sovereign US State, will throw off the shackles of old superstitions and traditions and embrace individual liberty once again.

Copyright 2009 by Russell D. Longcore

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Crime Shows on TV and the Implication on Society

There sure are a number of crime shows on TV like Cops and CSI. One has to ask if this promotes crime, or deters it. It would be nice if we could have really interesting shows on TV, which actually deterred crime. But if we glorify some of the crimes or we teach people new ideas of how to commit crimes, then away we are guilty of promoting crime. We have enough crime in our society; every society does regardless of the country.

High crime rates are very damaging to a society because it destroys the public trust between each of the members of the society. When a population cannot trust itself, people look inward to their families and small groups, and are less cordial when out in public. Further, it creates paranoia and everyone is worried that the next person they meet might be a criminal.

Additionally, it should be noted that most of the masses of populations have surrendered their minds to the TV set. So they take in to account what they see on TV and add this to their memory, it affects their behavior, their choices, and even their consumerism. I'd say it also allows them to modify their behavior, or accept criminality, or try to become more sneaky in the crimes they commit. There is nothing noble about promoting crime on TV.

Worse, some of the crimes that have been very, very, rarely are seen on TV, and that leads people to believe that these crimes are happening more often even when they are not. It gives people a false sense of reality. There's nothing healthy about that and it's something we should all think about, so please consider all this.

Lance Winslow is a retired franchisor - Lance Winslow's Bio. Lance Winslow is formerly the CEO of WashGuys family of franchises for instance one of Lance Winslow's favorite companies on the team; http://www.windowwashguys.com/links.shtml.

Computer Crimes and Federal Offenses

If you are under investigation for a computer crime, or if you have already been arrested for such an offense, you are probably under a great deal of stress. Computer crimes involve a wide range of activities that are otherwise illegal. When people use a computer or the internet to further commit such crimes, then they are categorized as computer or internet crimes.

These days, nearly every aspect of our society is digitalized. People can download movies, apply for a credit card, transfer balances between accounts, and pay their bills all with the touch of a button. The expanding functions of the internet have opened a whole new world to criminal outlets and activities. Criminals are finding new ways to break the law at a pace that law enforcement is struggling to keep up with. Because computers have such a large impact on society as a whole, federal prosecutors waste no time or expense in securing criminal convictions against the individuals who commit such crimes. In fact, the federal government has entire task forces devoted to tracking down and arresting people who commit these types of crimes.

What categorizes a computer or internet crime? One common aspect of computer crimes involves financial fraud and money laundering schemes. Other financial crimes committed via the internet include credit and debit card fraud, hacking and identity theft.

Computer crimes also involve harassment, spamming, phishing, and sex crimes against children. People who possess child pornography on their home or work computer, and people who distribute child pornography via the internet are in violation of the law. Unfortunately, internet crimes involving children can oftentimes be a case of mistaken identity. Perhaps you were not aware that the images were of minors, or perhaps someone else used your computer. Revealing the truth of what actually happened will be dependent upon the highly investigative tactics of an experienced defense attorney.

Because these crimes typically cross state lines, they are often classified as federal offenses. If you are under investigation for a federal crime, you could have a large government entity assisting your local law enforcement agency. This means that the prosecution will have unlimited manpower and means to pursue a conviction. If you want to effectively protect your legal rights, you are going to need the assistance of a seasoned federal criminal defense attorney on your side. Your lawyer will have a wealth of proven defense tools at their disposal. The last thing you would want to do is hire an inexperienced or apprehensive lawyer when you are fighting to preserve your reputation and your freedom. If you are under investigation for a computer crime, don't hesitate to contact a federal criminal defense attorney immediately.

The Law Offices of Guy L. Womack & Associates, P.C. is conveniently located in North Houston, Texas. Their firm has been providing their clients with outstanding defense representation for all sorts of federal and state criminal offenses. Whether your case is going to military, state or federal court, they have the knowledge, experience and tools necessary to protect your legal rights. A member from their legal team is prepared to meet with you in person for a free consultation. They would like to provide you with both sound advice and potential defense strategies that may aid in your defense. Their goal is to help their clients obtain the best possible outcome in the charges against them. They will search for any mitigating circumstances that might get the charges against you reduced or dropped entirely. You are urged to contact a Houston federal criminal defense lawyer from their firm at (800) 990-8762 today.

Fair Trading of Words and Hate Crimes

Is the language in hate crime statues hurting free speech? Is one side of the equation getting the upper hand - able to say mean-spirited comments, but when the other side retorts back it is to be considered hate speech or a hate crime? Should there even be such thing as a hate crime?

There should be no such thing as a hate crime - Crime is crime, that's it really, there is already a penalty for crime. If there is to be hate crimes for such things as hate speech, then we must enforce this type of speech equally. If so, when a homosexual says something derogatory to a heterosexual, and the opposite would get the heterosexual in trouble or arrested then homosexual should be arrested as well. If a black man says something mean to a white man, then those statements should be considered a challenge to fight or assault. Just like if a white guy calls a black person the N' word. By leveling the playing field, the hate crime or hate speech laws could be fair, but in this case, why not skip the whole thing all together?

If hate crimes are going to exist, which I think is silly, then at least make them fair for all. Unfortunately, those who are quick to call someone else out for a hate crime are MOST often the biggest culprits. So if we are going to have these types of rules on our books, then lets start putting them in jail, fair is fair.

This equality hate crime stuff is a joke in my opinion, and it is ridiculous, we have these laws, we do not need additional laws to serve a specific minority, which thinks they are above the rest of society. Either we should make everything equal, or delete those hate speech laws off the books entirely. Sincerely, Lance.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.

Failure to Report a Crime

When it comes to investigating and prosecuting crimes, witnesses are often essential to the justice system. Law enforcement officers and criminal prosecutors often need witnesses to come forward to explain how the events of a crime unfolded and identify those who are responsible for the act. If a person witnesses a crime and does not report it to authorities, he or she may face criminal charges as well.

Failure to report a crime is usually a relatively minor criminal charge, but may be very important to the victim or victims of violent or harmful actions. Many people will argue that individuals have a moral obligation to report crimes that they witnessed in order to help bring guilty parties to justice. The law backs up such moral claims by making it illegal to ignore those in need and failing to come forward with information that you may have.

When a crime is committed, law enforcement officers are left to put together clues to solve the case. In some cases, the victim or victims may be able to identify the perpetrator and may be able to help the police solve the case. In some circumstances like robbery or murder, the victim may not be able to provide the police with any information regarding the crime. In such instances, witnesses are often invaluable to the investigation of the case. If you see someone committing a serious crime like murder or robbery, you may be the only one who can help bring the criminal to justice.

Even cases that involve personal disputes or property crimes may be helped by witnesses. An outside observer may be able to tell the court exactly how the events unfolded without personal stake or interest. The court may be able to determine who is at fault or who should be responsible for certain actions if someone steps forward to help shed light on the events that occurred.

If you are found to have had knowledge of a crime or have witnessed a criminal act and failed to report it to police, you may face prosecution. In some states, failure to report a crime is only a misdemeanor, but it is still essential that individuals come forward to help with the case.

If you would like to know more about crimes and criminal defense, visit the website of the Austin criminal defense attorney Ian Inglis. 

Joseph Devine

Crime - Criminasls - Do We Treat Them Right?

A crime is a crime because the law defines it as such. Crime is a deviant behaviour which violates prevailing social norms. We ought to behave in accordance with the social, psychological, economic and political conditions.

The legislatures decide and set the laws of crime, and it varies from place to place. The use of punishment as a deterrent, the legislation discourages crime in any part of the world. The state has to find a way to make the criminals pay for their crime, and criminalization is a state-sanctioned revenge. Strange it may seem but it is a fact. Victims and witnesses fear retaliation and this causes impediments to the process of justice or law enforcement.

The primary function of the law enforcement agency is to maintain law and order. The law or legislation must be morally just. The intention of punishment is to discourage any wrong doings in the future. It is is considered as a warning to future criminals.

There are several types of crime, such as property crime, violent crime and simple crimes. Generally speaking we treat a felon always a felon. Even if he is punished for his crime, we do not forgive him. We treat him as a criminal always which attitude will force them to go back to crime again and again.

Once they are classified as antisocial elements or criminals they are under suspicion. And he is blamed for every crime committed in the region and that will make his life miserable. The trial is based on the evidences gathered and investigation reports. We too try them in our minds' court and pronounce verdict. Are we perfect in our judgements?

Best, Real, Politics, Discussion - "President Polls 2012".

Juvenile Crimes and the Criminal Justice System

If your son or daughter has been arrested for a crime, then you are probably very apprehensive about your child's future. Unfortunately, even the best kids can get mixed up with the wrong crowd. You may be wondering what to expect if your child was arrested, will they be returned home to you? Will they have to go to a detention facility?

What are juvenile crimes? They are crimes that are committed by a person who is under the age of 18. Juveniles can commit the same crimes as an adult, the difference is that the criminal justice system has more faith in America's youth then they do in their adult counterparts.

The juvenile justice system aims to rehabilitate child offenders, as opposed to imposing severe penalties. However, if the crime was especially heinous or violent, then the offender may be tried as an adult. When this happens, the minor will face the same penalties as an adult would.

Children and teens can commit the same crimes as adults such as: assault, battery, drug crimes, sexual assault, rape, vandalism, grand theft auto, theft crimes, burglary, manslaughter and murder. However, there are certain types of crimes that are naturally associated with minors such as underage drinking, underage DUI, and using a fake ID.

As a parent, you would want your child's case to be handled through the juvenile courts, as opposed to the adult courts. If your child's case is handled through the juvenile system, they would be handled with a rehabilitative approach, and would be much more likely to avoid incarceration, or would at least be returned to you in a shorter period of time. If they are tried as an adult, they could face the same penalties that an adult would face for the same crime.

When your son or daughter is arrested, they will either be kept in custody, or they will be returned to you. Whether or not they are kept in custody will be based on a number of factors including: the nature of the crime, their potential threat to themselves, their potential threat to others, whether or not they are a flight risk, and the need for them to appear in another jurisdiction.

Whether their case is handled through the juvenile or the adult courts will be based on the violent nature of the crime. Especially violent cases such as murder or violent gang-related crimes may be diverted to the adult courts. It's extremely important to make every attempt to keep your child's case from going to the adult courts. Every effort should be made by your child's attorney to obtain alternative sentencing and rehabilitation so they can experience the least amount of penalties possible. If your son or daughter was arrested for a juvenile crime, contact a skilled and compassionate criminal defense lawyer today!

The Law Office of Randolph D. Toscano, PLLC is proud to represent the residents of Scottsdale, Arizona. Their criminal defense firm has extensive experience in handling all types of misdemeanor and felony crimes. Whether you are facing a bench warrant, a kidnapping or murder charge, or if you are a parent in need of representation for your son or daughter, they are prepared to fight on your behalf. They will thoroughly investigate your case and challenge the evidence against you. Their goal is to help their clients obtain maximum satisfaction in the charges against them. They will make every effort to get the charges against you reduced or dropped where possible. Take action now by contacting a Scottsdale criminal defense attorney at the firm by calling (877) 748-7978.

Considering Crime Scene Jobs As A Career Path

There truly can be no more a fascinating and rewarding job then a crime scene job in the field of criminal justice. The fact is, that much of the evidence that is gathered at crime scenes is done by trained experts that have attained a degree in the field of criminal justice.

If you have watched any crime dramas on your TV then you have seen just a small sprinkling of what actually goes into dissecting a crime scene for evidence. Every shred of evidence down to the most minuscule trace evidence must be carefully gathered and then meticulously documented.

Then still one more crime scene job is analyzing the evidence that has been gathered in a crime lab. The fact is, that solving crimes involves the efforts of many well trained individuals in the field of criminal justice.

If working as a member of a team of law enforcement professionals to solve crimes in your community seems like something that you would enjoy doing, then you may in fact be cut out for a lucrative and personally rewarding crime scene job.

Also, one new area of law enforcement that has opened up is in field of counter terrorism and solving the horrendous crimes that international terrorists commit.

If the idea of traveling to foreign countries and working as a covert agent for the U.S. government to detect and neutralize Islamic terrorists before they have chance to strike again seems like something you might be interested in, then the time to begin your training is now.

Every time a terrorist strikes they leave some type of evidence hidden in the carnage. It is the crime scene job of people like yourself to find that evidence, so the animals that commit those horrendous acts can be found and eliminated before they can strike again.

Taking your first steps toward a degree in criminal justice are your first steps towards landing the type of job that can truly change your life.

Written by Albert Werfert. Find the latest information on a Crime Scene Job [http://ronsmithandassociates.com/crime-scene-job.htm].

Melbourne Crime Tours Will Give You a Whole New Perspective on the City

You've seen all the recommended attractions in Melbourne and now you are ready to turn your holiday into something completely different. You can really liven up your vacation with a visit to the darker side of this sparkling city. Sightseeing on Melbourne Crime Tours gives you the extraordinary opportunity to walk in the footsteps of some of Victoria's notorious killers and criminals. You'll find out what really happened at the scenes of Melbourne's most infamous murders, killings, and robberies. As you get all the details of these grisly crimes and the criminals who committed them from your expert and entertaining tour guides, you'll find yourself inside the minds of the killers. Melbourne Crime Tours are truly the most unique day tours in the region.

When you decide to take part in Melbourne Crime Tours you are in for a tour package filled with insight into the actions of the people who have made history in Australia by taking part in heinous gangland wars, robberies, and murders. At the same time, you will learn how the society of the day reacted to the criminals and the justice they received. From the site of the 2002 Society Murders to the locations of deeds of the Brown-Out Strangler of 1942, you'll get up close and personal into Victoria's seamier side.

As you work your way through the sinister landmarks on Melbourne Crime Tours, your coach tour will give you the chance to explore more conventional sights as well, all from the comfort of your tour bus. During your guided Melbourne tour you'll have plenty of time to explore infamous places such as the Salt Nightclub in South Yarra, the site of the Samurai Sword Murders in 2002. You'll also visit the famous Australia Post building where spree killer Frank Vitkovic murdered eight people before leaping to his death in 1987. This is among the most famous of Melbourne's killings and is known today as the Queen Street massacre.

Your time with Melbourne Crime Tours will also give you the chance to visit the Melbourne City Watch House. While it hasn't been used for criminal incarceration since 1994, the Watch looks much as it did when it was used for the last time to hold prisoners as they moved through Victoria's justice system. You'll have the chance to take part in an interactive adventure where you are arrested and locked up. From there you are free to tour the historic Old Melbourne Gaol. Located adjacent to the Watch House, and the Magistrates' Court, the Gaol is the site of Melbourne's oldest prison. Though no longer used, the Gaol has been home to many of Australia's most famous criminals including Ned Kelly and Squizzy Taylor.

Regardless of whether you are first time visitor to Melbourne, a returning guest, a backpacker, a hiker or even a permanent resident, Melbourne Crime Tours will show you the city in a whole new light. One thing is certain, you will never view Melbourne exactly the same way again. The next time you hear about one of the notorious crimes where you viewed the crime scene, you'll have a first hand perspective. A trip with Melbourne Crime Tours will give you a Melbourne tour that you will never forget.

To get the best from your trip to Melbourne, try a Melbourne Crime Tour. Go West Tours will show you the real Melbourne on a Crime Tour of Melbourne. Submitted by Darren Heise.

Focus on Physical Computer Crime - Not Just Cyber Crime

It isn't just computers but the integral components that thieves will focus upon. Computer crime is on of the UK's fastest growing crimes, according to the Association of British Insurers; in 1995 a third of all commercial claims were computer crime related. It isn't just the loss of a computer or related equipment that represents the biggest loss; it is the costs of business interruption and important or sensitive data loss.

There is a simple solution; prevent thieves from having access!

When budgeting for IT security we need to ensure the expenditure is appropriate to the value of the IT assets at risk, not just the replacement value but also other losses incurred.

A simple risk analysis can be deployed by calculating the harm to your business as a result of theft or damage to such assets. Create a 'what if' scenario and ensure you calculate every aspect from loss of business, interruption to services and compensation to clients including farming out work or bringing in other contractors for damage limitation.

Then take this figure and consider the real likelihood of it happening; taking on board prevailing threats and current climate.

This information shouldn't be taken lightly and should be used to build an IT Security Policy Document. So in the event of such an incident, there is a chain of command from top managers down the ranks, a contact list of 24 hour telephone numbers and individual responsibilities so that there is no room for 'I thought he was doing that!' Each individual on the IT Security Policy Team should have his or her own copy and a signed as read and understood copy filed.

There should be a list of suppliers and back up systems including all identification markings and asset control numbers. This can only be achieved through formal training.

This could be a good time to call in your local CPO (Crime Prevention Officer).

Commercial premises that maintain large numbers of computers clearly face a disproportionate risk from crime. If IT equipment is spread out or scattered throughout the premises, it is more difficult to establish a secure perimeter, than if the 'IT' area was concentrated in secure pockets.

Let's take a look at the physical security of the actual building.

No matter how good the locks are on Entry/Exit Doors, if the door and frame cannot withstand a violent attack, your premises are vulnerable.

Often Health & Safety and security don't mix, for example; Regulations state that when the building is occupied, fire exit doors must be able to be opened quickly in the direction of escape without the use of keys. A perfect escape rout for thieves too!

· Fire exit doors must not be overlooked. Regulations state that when the building is occupied, these doors must be able to be opened quickly in the direction of escape without the use of keys. Look at alarming these doors so they comply with regulations but notify the appropriate individuals that access has been made. Perhaps CCTV cameras could be fitted too. When the premises are empty, however, these doors can be secured like any other.

· If you occupy offices of multiple tenancies then the landlord and appropriate tenants should address the security of communal doors No one benefits if this area is deemed the responsibility of the other.

· Look out windows, check either side for potential access points, and look for flat roofs. Internal grilles should be considered for all accessible windows, don't overlook skylights.

· If there is no reason for goods lifts to be used after working hours they should be disabled at the end of the day. Perhaps taking them to the top and switching them off.

· Talk to your Crime Prevention Officer about installing an intruder alarm system linked to a central monitoring station. This should be fitted in accordance with Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) policy and Association of British Insurers (ABI) guidelines.

· Be mindful that nominated key holders must be able to get to the building within 20 minutes of being notified of alarm activation. This allows police to check the premise if a forced entry is not apparent. Consider using a reputable key-holding company if you cannot meet this requirement.

· Keep the number of people able to arm and disarm the alarm system to an absolute minimum and make sure that they are issued with individual 'pin' numbers that can be monitored and their activity is logged. This will facilitate better management of the system and minimise in-house mischief or activity from disgruntled ex-employees.

· If employees work during periods of reduced occupation, for example, overnight or weekends then personal attack buttons will need to be incorporated into the alarm system. In these circumstances, staff should never work alone always insure there is more than one person on the premises in order that someone can raise an alarm.

· Consider revising name signs that might advertise the presence of computers and never leave computer related boxes in public view. Empty or otherwise, these cartons inform all passers-by that you have new IT equipment on the premises..

Thieves rarely rely on guesswork when selecting a commercial building to break into. This isn't about 'walk-in' crime. Companies have had new computers stolen the very same day as they have been delivered, it not not pure coincidence or extreme bad luck! It is obvious that intelligence is gained before the event inside information or poor security measures. It cannot be over-stressed how important it is to control access during office hours as well as when closed.

If possible, restrict access to the building to one entrance/exit, with all other access points being controlled.

Is your front of house staff, whether it be security or receptionist, fully aware of staff that have left - voluntary or otherwise? All personnel should be identifiable. This begins at the reception point where a visitor should be registered and supervised by an authorised member of staff. It extends to the active vigilance of employees - fully aware of the defined procedure for challenging strangers.

If visitors sign in or are issued with security tags, does anyone check to see that they actually leave the premises? Is anyone tasked with an end of the day procedure for checking the building to ensure that no one is hiding in it?

We mentioned at the beginning about creating a perimeter for access control. If that perimeter is breached, look at the measures below will help to reduce your losses.

· House your IT equipment carefully, away from the perimeter and behind obstacles that slow and frustrate the intruder, in locked rooms for example.

· Mark property with your full postcode in a permanent and prominent way. Heat branding or chemical etching can do this.

· Anchor equipment to solid furniture and building fixtures with an enclosure unit designed to resist dismantling. Choose a product that has been certified to Loss Prevention Standard 1214.

· If an enclosure unit is not in use, special security screws are available that replace the standard back cover screws and help, to some extent, to prevent quick entry to the computer's interior.

· Safes and security cabinets can be obtained which allow the computers to be used during the day and locked away at night.

· Smoke generating devices, activated by the intruder alarm system, work to create conditions where intruder penetration is severely hampered.

· Computer alarms that detect tampering can be fitted to units. These are suitable for buildings either during office hours or when an on-site response can be generated at night.

· Lap-top computers need to be locked away when they are not being used. Security instructions should be issued to personnel for care of equipment when used away from the office.

· Key security - keys to security devices should be kept in the custody of authorised personnel only and either removed from the premises when they are left unattended or put in a locked safe.

· Asset control - make sure that an up-to-date inventory is in existence so that full details of any equipment that is stolen can be given to the police and insurance companies.

Digby Farquart is a leading UK security consultant and crime prevention advisor. He writes articles for top sites such as Computer Crime Prevention and UK Crime Prevention.

Prison - A Crime College Or Change Center Part 2

I spent four more years in crime and prison after my epiphany experience with Babe Dillard. During those four years, I transformed prison, for me, from a crime college to a change center.

I remember setting around various cellblocks, over the years, swapping crime stories with other criminals, and thinking, um, I could make that work for me. I remember dreaming about the "big score," every criminal's ultimate fantasy. You get away with hundreds of thousands of dollars and chill out on some tropical island with beautiful women and a life of luxury.

After my experience with Dillard, the nightmare of that potential future--wasting 40 years in prison haunted me relentlessly. Looking back now I see clearly the huge and deadly bullet I dodged. If I had not changed, I would be 65 years old in October 2007, and would have spent the last 39 years in prison, probably as battered and broken by now as Babe Dillard was then. I would be hobbling down some prison trying vainly to convince some ego-driven, blind and dumb criminal not to make my mistake.

Fortunately, I took this old criminal's advice and began learning how to change.

Please note, the system didn't change! Prison remains as brutal and inhumane as it has always been. Society, by and large, has not changed! Some people who have been victimized by crime are just as opposed to the idea of changed criminals as they have always been. Others, who try to help, remain as inept as they have always been. The issue remains: criminals must change.

In the remainder of this article, I am going to write directly to criminals who want to change, but because of the rules in prison, most of them will never see this article unless you help. Okay, FLOC (Families and Loved Ones of Criminals), here is your chance to launch your active role in helping your loved one change. You are reading this. I challenge you to not just agree or disagree with me. If you do not personally have a relative or loved one in crime or incarcerated, then give this article to someone you know who does. You won't have to look far.

During my final four years in crime and prison, including a fruitless parole stint, I learned seven valuable lessons about this process of change. They are as follows:

Change from crime begins inside. This means two things. First, it means that incarcerated criminals must begin changing while incarcerated. Second, it means that personal change begins inside the person. For additional details, please read my article "Tired of Prison? Break the crime habit!"

Change from crime manifests itself outside. This also means two things. First, it means that you must not only "see" yourself changing, others must "see" the change, too. Your fellow inmates, for example, must see the difference in you. Your new thinking, beliefs, expectations and attitudes must be so shocking and challenging that they talk about your changes. Yes, many of them will likely disbelieve, even oppose your changes. For additional information about this lesson, please see my article The 14 Laws of Success. This lesson also means that when you are released, the changes that occurred inside of you will also be reflected in your life on the outside. Both your talk and your walk must demonstrate difference.

When changes are wrought in you and manifest themselves outside you have become a change activist. In fact, you must become a change activist while incarcerated.

Change activists must have the courage and perseverance to withstand opposition to change inside so they can conquer more severe opposition after release. If you shudder and recoil from the opposition to change you experience in prison, you will never survive the intense opposition you confront after release. Despite, our protestations to the contrary, most law abiding citizens do not believe that criminals can and will change. How do I know? We, as a society, continue paying huge sums to punish criminals, at least we believe we are punishing them, rather than insisting that criminals change. As a society, we generally do not support strategies designed to help criminals change.

Change from crime requires a team. Face facts! If you have been a criminal since you were______years-old [put your age in the blank], you know nothing about changing from being a criminal to becoming a community contributor. Chances are you do not know anyone who made that transition. The rule, though, is simple. If I want to become a millionaire, I would not take a college economics course from a professor earning $75,000. I would find all the instructional information I could from millionaires and learn to do what they do. In 2002, Mike Litman and Jason Oman published a neat little book entitled Conversations with Millionaires. This book is a collection of radio conversations with millionaires such as Jim Rohn, Mark Victor Hansen, Wally 'Famous' Amos, Jack Canfield, Robert Allen, Sharon Lechter, Michael Gerber and Jim McCann, among others. I know, you've never heard of these people, but you know Ray Rae, Skeeter, Boom Boom and Rap Man. They all have one thing in common, they are broke and cannot help you. So, to be a millionaire, learn from millionaires. To become a change activist, you must learn from change activists. Therefore, you need a team of change activists. Begin at home with the people close to you. Challenge them to help you make the arduous trek from crime to contribution. This group of mentors become your Change Advocates.

Change advocates must also be change activists in their personal lives. No one can teach you what they do not know. They cannot help you go where they've never been. Therefore, as you speak with potential team members, stress the fact that you need people who are either already change activists, or who are willing, for your sake, to become change activists personally.

The change team must build their relationship on the following four fundamental principles: commitment, cooperation, communication and contribution. Everyone on the team must be committed to the proposition that this specific criminal can become a community contributor. Everyone on the team must learn to cooperate in the change process, rather than compete with it. Everyone on the team must vow to communicate honestly and openly with each other and everyone else. Everyone on the team must contribute to the process. These constitute core principles of the change process.

Here's the final lesson I learned during those four years, and it might well be the most important: change constitutes life's only constant and all conflict develops from the clash of two or more mindsets that refuse to change.

As far as I know, Babe Dillard died in a North Carolina prison, a battered and broken man who will never know how much he accomplished on that day in 1964 when he advised me to stop being a fool and to not make his mistake. As far as I am concerned, Dillard balanced the books that day. Therefore, in honor of his contribution to me, I did something that many of my fellow inmates thought to be silly. As I sat on my bunk in a now defunct prison unit in Creswell, North Carolina on Dec. 9, 1968, I pronounced sentence upon myself. "Milton C. Jordan," I said aloud, "I hereby sentence you to life in freedom. You must serve this sentence without any possibility of parole."

I'm still serving that sentence. It's been a great 39 years, and the best is yet to come.

See you at success!

I have spent almost 40 years mastering the principles of how to stay out of crime and prison. I am now an expert and I want to share this expertise with others. For more information, please visit [http://www.miltoncjordansr.com/]

Understanding Torts and Crimes

For many years I've lived with the vague knowledge that crimes and torts are both punishable offenses, but I never bothered to investigate the difference between them till now. So here are some notes I want to share.

First we must break apart the term Law. In the United States "the Law" divides into two categories: Private law and Public law.

Private Law: Torts

As the title implies, this type of law guides the relations of individuals and businesses in a community (hamlet, town, city, county, state, or country). When violations of private law occur, then we say that a 'tort' has been committed.

Other subtleties mark torts, such as to whether the infraction was intentional or from an act of negligence. This distinction allows for fair treatment of the wrong-doer, and a fair and just compensation to the injured party. An action against the offender is called a cause of action (civil suit).

The most common torts are:

* Unfair competitive practices

* Slander - a false and oral besmirch on an individual's reputation.

* Libel - a false and written besmirch on an individual's reputation

* Personal injury - damages due to accidents, defective products (product liability), and other malpractices.

* Fraud - intentional deceit.

Public Law: Crimes

Public law applies to the relationships between individuals or businesses and society. When an infraction against the community occurs, a crime occurs. It is the job of public defenders -district attorneys- to defend the public interest. An action against the offender is called a prosecution.

Crimes are categorized by Congress as felonies and misdemeanors (also referred to as 'lesser crimes," although there are many different types of crimes that fall under each class.

The most common crimes are:

* Break-ins, burglary, theft, robbery.

* Forgery - the intentional altering, distorting, and defacing documents (to include signatures).

* The use of deceptive weights, measures, or labels - Most States have bureaus that supervise the standards set by law: If a motorist asks for 10 gallons of gas, did he actually get 10 gallons? Was it premium or regular? Does the cereal box really contain 10 ounces?

* The ill use of mails with the intention to defraud others.

* Receipt of stolen property.

* Filing fraudulent income tax returns.

* Embezzlement - the misappropriation of funds.

Some crimes, such as embezzlement, may be both: a tort and a crime, as we saw in the case of Bernie Madoff. Not only did the disgraced financier abuse the private trust of his clients, but also the public trust.

For both torts and crimes, common law statutes of limitations apply. This simply means that actions for remedy must be brought within the allowed periods of time, or the case will "run out."

For military personnel, both torts and crimes are covered under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Unit commanders exercise discretion as to whether to punish under Article 15 of the Code, or to convene a court martial.

Conclusion:

While private law's purpose is to allow the injured party to recover and be compensated for damages suffered, public law in addition to recovery of damages, frequently punishes transgressors with incarceration.

Marciano Guerrero
Retired Investment Banker, Corporate Controller, graduate of Columbia University, and Vietnam Vet (1967-1968).

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Common White Collar Crimes

The term "white collar crime" was coined back in 1939 by Professor Edwin Hardin Sutherland. He explained that white collar crime was committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of their occupation. Today, white collar crime covers a broad spectrum of criminal activities, especially considering the advent of new computer technology and the amount of access people have to privy financial information.

In essence, white collar crime is a form of "non-violent" crimes and commercial offenses typically committed by business people, public officials, and con-artists. Common examples would include: fraud, bribery, stock manipulation, embezzlement, securities fraud, computer fraud, extortion, Medicaid fraud, hedge fund fraud, and mortgage broker fraud among others. They can also involve bribery, money laundering and tax evasion. White collar crimes are committed for the purpose of economic or financial gain, and can go undetected for years.

White collar crime is a major problem costing American taxpayers in excess of three billion each year. Due to this fact, numerous regulations have been enacted by both the state and federal government. Now that there are more laws in place, there have been more prosecutions and subsequent convictions. Although many white collar crimes can be committed by someone in the privacy of their own home, many of them are a "crime of opportunity," meaning they are committed by people who have specialized knowledge that allows them to perform complex and detailed transactions that can be difficult for law enforcement to track.

In nearly all cases, these types of crimes are typically committed for financial gain. These crimes can be illegal on a state of a federal level, which means they can be prosecuted in the state or federal courts. In fact, if you are under investigation for a white collar crime, you could have a large government entity such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation working on your case. They have access to all types of records and they can obtain digital evidence through a computer forensics investigation.

If you are being investigated for a white collar crime, you should seek legal assistance from a criminal defense attorney immediately. Since there are a wide range of white collar crimes, a lawyer will be able to help you identify what you may be under investigation for, and how to dispute it. Even if you aren't guilty, but the people who you work with are, you will still need to hire your own attorney. The last thing you would want is for your fellow employees to sink, while taking you down with them. A criminal conviction for a white collar crime could very easily be charged as a felony offense, meaning your personal and professional reputation can be destroyed permanently. You could be facing incarceration, restitution (which could cost millions), fines, and much more. So please, do yourself a huge favor by contacting a seasoned criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible so you can have the best chances of overcoming any current or future charges against you!

Brian D. Perskin & Associates, P.C. is proud to represent clients throughout New York City. Their firm has helped countless individuals and businessmen achieve more favorable outcomes in the charges against them. They are skilled at handling cases of felony or misdemeanor charges, in either the state or federal courts. The firm's attorneys care deeply for their clients and will strive to unearth any potential mitigating circumstances that may get the charges against you reduced or dropped entirely. Your success is their success, and they want to help you to achieve the best possible outcome considering your circumstances. To learn more about your possible defenses, contact a New York criminal defense lawyer at the firm by calling (212) 355-0887 to schedule an initial consultation.

Cyber Crime

There is a very old and correct saying that goes on to say that a coin has two sides. Like a coin, almost every aspect of life has two sides. For example, take the advancement of technology and the crime associated with it. With the improvements in technology, computers have formed an integral part of the working world. Computers along with them have brought greater work and time efficiency in the working circle of the world as a whole. However, there is a dark side to this as well. Along with all the benefits that computers and technology comes the rising and alarming threat of cyber crime.

Thanks to the crimes committed by the hackers and predators, the good bring the evil. The dangers that cyber crime is posing to computers and information stored in the computers is real. The affects have been felt by almost all the countries. Serious concerns are rising against the growing threat of cyber crime. This potential threat to the information possessed in the computers is alarming. The reason that cyber crime is posing a serious threat is because most countries around the world have no existing laws against it. This leaves us all at the mere mercy of the same technology that we use for good and they use for destruction.

One resort that you can take against cyber crime is installing ant-virus, spyware, and security programs. This is still unfortunately; it is not a full proof step. Hackers can easily hack through the computers of others you know and work with. This makes the data stored in the computer more open to these attacks.

One reason why cyber crime has been gathering so much of attention, is the fact that cyber crime has no boundaries. Cyber crime is breaching national barriers with ease. This is jeopardizing the political and the defense strategies of the country. It is reported that after committing the crimes the hackers reap rewards. They sell the information they stole to other countries and businesses for large sums of money.

There is another reason why cyber crime is becoming so common. Hackers operate together from different places. This makes it harder for law enforcement to track and find them. Hackers usually operate from different countries and through multiple networks making tracking them almost impossible.

It is time for national bodies and governments too operate together. Making a legal framework and structure through which no hackers can slip through before committing these cyber crimes.

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All You Need To Know About Crime Scene Investigation Programs

Many people think that interest in the criminal scene investigation field is a new thing, especially due to popular television shows such as 'CSI' and 'Law and Order.' However, this is not the case as colleges have been offering criminal scene investigation degree programs for many years and well before these shows were even thought of. A crime scene investigation degree, otherwise known as a degree in forensic science is a great program to get involved in and as plenty of colleges offer programs in this area there is plenty of options available. The sorts of topics you can expect include crime, blood splatter, and biological specimen analysis and lots more.

If you are interested in a degree in crime scene investigation then there are plenty of accredited forensics colleges to choose from depending on your personal preferences. The school that you choose will largely depend on what you want to do in your future career as difference programs will train people for different jobs. For example, some courses will be more focused on crime scene investigations whereas others may concentrate more on lab work or computer forensics.

Most colleges that specialize in crime scene investigation will offer two types of programs: bachelor degrees and master degrees. A lot of the jobs associated with criminal justice require supplementary training which can take years. For example, if you are looking for a career in DNA lab work then a good candidate will already have qualifications in chemistry, biochemistry, genetics and biology. And if you are applying for a MA degree then it is beneficial to take on some forensic work experience otherwise you may end up having to take extra courses to get this experience.

The subject of crime scene investigation spans many programs including microscopy, forensic molecular biology, crime scene reconstruction, population statistics and much more. These are the sorts of courses that you can expect to undertake when you enroll on a masters course at a forensic college. You should expect to spend a lot of your time in the lab as this is where valuable skills will be honed. If you want to be a forensic technician, it is really important to have access to direct lab work as this will enable you to learn important methods and techniques and practice the basics involved in forensic science. Clearly, this is a hands-on degree program which means that distance learning really doesn't work for this sort of course. Those who choose to study a degree in crime scene investigation without actually doing in-class work will suffer as they won't learn the sort of skills that other students will. It is possible to do an online crime scene investigation degree program but these are generally not recommended by experts within the field.

When it comes to applying for a forensic college, you need to make sure that you have clean personal record. Most colleges will not allow you onto the program if there are any references to drug use or personal convictions. There are even some US states such as Miami who will not allow you onto the course if you a smoker!

A career in crime scene investigation can be incredibly rewarding and interesting and once in the industry, most people have a job for life. However, the training and studying period of your education will require a lot of determination and hard work; it could also take a few years. It is well worth it once completed though, so if you think a degree in crime scene investigation is for you, why not apply for a program.

Find detailed information about top criminal justice schools which are offering crime scene analysis programs at CriminalJusticeU.com. Choose the best criminal justice school for you and start your path to a rewarding career.

Methods of Reducing National Crime

Crime is a terrible aspect of all societies. For those that have not experienced it, crime may seem like a far-off thing that is not part of your reality. However, once you yourself become a victim, such as robbery or perhaps something far worse, you realize how serious and critical dealing with crime is. Of course, you do not need to be a victim to have this realization. You just need to be fully aware that it is out there, there are hundreds of thousands of victims, and everybody pays the cost. Part of your taxes goes towards not only paying for law enforcement, but for paying for the damages of crime.

There are many things that the government can do to reduce crime. This includes setting up programs to help reduce poverty, increasing law enforcement efforts in high-crime areas, and improving the economy to allow more natural opportunity. The majority of people turn to crime out of necessity, so if people do not need to commit crimes, they like will not.

In your own neighborhood, there are several measure you can take to increase the safety of your home and those around you. Neighborhood watch programs are quite popular, although they are unnecessary if there is no crime in your neighborhood. However, if there is a fair amount of it, then you can band together with your neighbors and do something about it. If you see crime going down, it is legal to make a "citizen's arrest", and if the perp tries anything, you can always tase them to the ground.

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Crime Prevention Specialist - 3 Things You Must Know Or Do

The war on crime is taking many avenues today. From increased police presence to community awareness programs, cities are pulling no punches when it comes to winning this war. One position that has been developed is the crime prevention specialist.

This is usually a non-sworn position for someone to work as a liaison between police and the community. Before you decide this is a career choice for you, there are some things you need to know.

Education:

It is very important that you know what the educational requirements are for the area in which you are applying. Across the nation, there are differing levels of education you must have to become a crime prevention specialist.

In one state, a two-year degree is required along with one year of relative work experience with no exceptions or substitutions. In other areas of the country for specialized fields such as youth, five years of experience in law enforcement is required. For different states, you may find any combination of the above is required.

Be sure your education and experience line up with the unit you are applying for. Also be prepared for intense background checks, drug tests or even a voice stress test that is similar to a polygraph.

Information you must know about qualifications:

Again, these qualifications may vary from place to place, here is a broad look at the programs that you will need at least some knowledge in:

1) Community crime prevention programs on both the state and federal level; DARE, Neighborhood Watch, Operation ID ( fingerprinting children), and safety and security issues as they pertain to special groups like children and the elderly.

2) General theories and practice of public relations.

3) Reading and comprehension of written reports on a level that allows you to implement actions aimed at meeting team goals.

4) Produce graphic design brochures for training programs and community awareness.

5) Great interpersonal skills that allow for good working environment as well as good community relations.

These are just a few of the skill sets you may need to develop to work as a crime prevention specialist in your area.

Job Duties:

Many job duties come along with this line of work. Below you will find sample job duties that you may encounter as a crime prevention specialist:

1) Meet with community members and or leaders to help resolve issues including neighborhood disputes and grievances. Then identify the conditions that may have caused the problems and a program to fix them.

2) Prepare and deliver training on prevention of common criminal activities such as burglary, robbery, internal theft, shoplifting, fraud, identity theft, sexual abuse and or rape as well as personal protection issues.

3) Work with business and community leaders on methods of preventing crimes including the use of security systems and alarms.

Each city may add to or take away from this job description as the needs of the community dictate. I urge you to do more research on the crime prevention specialist career. You can do this by visiting websites that cover the career in more detail.

Note: You are free to reprint or republish this article. The only condition is that the Resource Box should be included and the links are clickable.

Copyright Kenneth Echie. Kenneth writes for Criminal Justice Degrees. Get free scholarship report and learn to become a Crime Prevention Specialist by visiting.

The Economy Fuels Cyber Crime

According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), cyber crime was up in 2008, and if the first few months of 2009 is anything to go by, this trend is not only continuing, it is accelerating.

As the country slides into recession, early indicators for 2009-February to March 2009-shows an additional 50% increase in reported Internet fraud complaints.

"These numbers are shocking, but given that the vast majority of incidents go unreported, the threat of identification theft is actually much more serious than even these figures would lead us to believe," says Justin Yurek, President of ID Watchdog, Inc. Common wisdom says that only one cyber crime in seven-or about fifteen percent-is actually reported.

Internet fraud includes everything from bogus sales on auction sites such as eBay and classified sites like craigslist.com, to smaller scale version of the Ponzi scheme perpetrated by disgraced New York financier Bernard Madoff.

As an example, a scam recently surfaced via e-mails that masquerade as originating from the FBI and other federal agencies seeking the recipient's bank account information in order to "help with illegal wire transfer investigations." Sweet.

The Recession Impact

Many observers put the continued surge in cyber crime down to the recession, and for several reasons.

As reported by the TechArena Forum , McAfee for one, in their annual McAfee Virtual Criminology Report-which examines emerging global cyber security trends, with input from leading academics, criminal lawyers, law enforcement authorities and security experts across the world-identified the following challenges:

The Cyber Credit Crunch - The cyber criminal is now trying to cash in on consumer anxiety to profit from old-fashioned "get rich quick" scams.

Meaning, that there are now people who voluntarily sign up to add malicious code to their websites, lured by the promise of easy money. At the same time, desperate job seekers are being recruited as "money mules" to launder cybercriminal gains under the guise of "international sales representatives" or "shipping managers."

In addition, with the economic downturn driving more people to the web to seek the best deals, opportunities for cybercriminals to attack are on the rise as people are more easily drawn in.

Governments are distracted - As governments grow more and more preoccupied with the economic downturn, their fight against cyber crime slides down their agenda, inviting more and more audacious individuals onto the cyber crime field.

The Cybercop Shortage - It is a known fact that police forces on the cyber crime front line often lack the specialist skills required to effectively fight these criminals.

Furthermore, the lack of dedicated and ongoing training, sufficient remuneration, or even a clear career path, is causing cyber crime specialists to be lured into the more lucrative private sector or even into underground economies.

Criminality Concealed - Eastern Europe, Russia and China have become key safe havens for cybercriminals while Brazil has become one of the fastest growing scapegoat countries for cybercrime. Traffic is often re-routed (and often via Brazil) as a decoy causing considerable misdirection in the origin of attacks.

Information Silo - While law enforcement is bound to physical national boundaries, cybercriminals are free to cooperate across borders.

Law enforcement communication between countries remains inconsistent and limited. Local issues and priorities take precedence over global efforts and international laws are being implemented with regional variations that impede the ability to negotiate jurisdiction and extradition between countries.

This is an environment that plays right into the hands of the cyber criminal, much to the frustration of cyber police.

Microsoft's Take

As reported by RedOrbit Microsoft shares McAfee's view that the global recession could prove to be a starting point for an influx of more cyber criminals seeking to use their computer skills to earn extra money.

"Today these (cyber) attacks are no longer about vandalism, they are about cash," says Roger Halbheer, Microsoft's chief security advisor for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

"Cyber crime has gone from cool to cash. And this will definitely grow in the future," he told AFP (Agence France-Presse) during a recent international conference on terrorism and cyber security in Spain. "At the moment we are still at the cool side. But I'm expecting it to move to the cash side."

He then went on to add that it is, "one of the things that scare me about the economic downturn because I expect cyber crime to grow."

Also, the current economic crisis is causing a large number of layoffs, many of them from tech firms, meaning that more and more computer experts will have a lot of time on their hands, but no money. Tempting.

Fixing any and all security issues in software, does not solve the problem for, "Unfortunately the bad guys don't give up and go away. Instead they increasingly focus on crimes of deception that prey on human vulnerabilities rather than software vulnerabilities."

A Law Enforcement Perspective

Lt. Rocky Costa, who until recently headed up the Southern California High Technology Task Force agrees. "In fact, law enforcement has always seen a rise in all sorts of theft crimes when the economy goes south. The crooks look to fraud as the best way to separate folks from their money. People are most vulnerable when money is tight and they are looking to save their homes, savings, retirements, and often, their families.

"They become easy prey to the con-artist who has no sense of right and wrong, but knows how to capitalize on human weaknesses. You see the con artist makes a living studying people and their behaviors. They know their success rate will increase as the economy tumbles and/or the recession climbs. Since a vast number of folks use technology daily, it is only natural to expect technology to be another weakness and another method for exploitation.

"Historically, the number of street robberies goes up, along with shoplifting, and burglaries as the money becomes scarcer. Although we have not yet seen these increases at the lab, we fully expect them. However, with the current economy, even government must begin to cut back. When they do, technology based crimes slide down the priority list in favor of these more visible types of theft.

"People need to stay vigilant in the face is despair, holding onto their values and good judgment will be the only way they will be able to fully protect what they have left, until we all see around the corner."

A Call to Action

According to the RSA Press Release of Tuesday, April 21, 2009:

During the opening keynote at RSA Conference 2009 Art Coviello, President of RSA, The Security Division of EMC, cautioned that the global cyber-threat continues to escalate and online fraudsters are more organized, collaborative and effective than ever. He addressed major forces such as the economy and emerging technologies that are driving the information security industry to evolve and adapt-and how these forces provide an opportunity for "inventive collaboration" to effectively restructure the information infrastructure.

"To combat the cybercriminals requires far more purposeful collaboration on the part of the industry and a strong security ecosystem built around a common development process focused on risk," said Coviello. "Today's security technologies are applied as independent applications cluttering the information landscape and leaving perilous gaps of risk."

Coviello cited three major forces driving the information security industry to evolve and adapt, including:

o the challenge posed by the criminal threat;

o the demand upon enterprises and governments to achieve unprecedented levels of productivity to restore value to the faltering economy; and

o the opportunity to rethink the approach to security based upon emerging technologies and trends such as virtualization, cloud computing and social networking.

According to Coviello, "We must embrace a common development process that allows us to create a more secure infrastructure today. Then with an eye on the future we can ensure that the new technical infrastructure is designed around that process, rather than forcing a process around a collection of technologies.

"We must develop a stronger and healthier ecosystem than the fraudsters and ensure the fluid and frictionless exchange of information on which our global economy depends. It's not about changing the game; it's about winning the game," said Coviello.

Educating the Individual

However, it does not matter of safe our hardware and software becomes, if the individual citizen, desperate for money-and reaching for digital straws, as it were-believes that perhaps this Nigerian Prince really does exist and really does want to spit his $2 Million 50/50 if only he were to help him.

And by the same token, scouring the Internet for the best deal, and finding some that are (in fact) too good to be true, he may pounce on them, not only losing his money in the process, but also his credit card number and other private information.

The same holds true for many "work-at-home" opportunities that only require a small $300 payment for the material you will need to make "thousands a week from your kitchen." You've seen them. Well, as often as not, you will not even receive the material, and by the time you've wised up, your card has been charged, your money gone.

The time to wise up is now.

Internet Commerce Made Safe

As we all know, at least during some of our more rational moments-the "too good to be true" deal is often precisely that. But that is not to say that there are no good deals out there. In fact, the Internet is probably the marketplace that to a large extent will pull the economy out of its slump, precisely because it is replete with good deals and true opportunities.

But how to tell the good from the bad?

According to the IC3, the best way to guard against Internet facilitated scams is to stay informed. Keeping informed of the latest scams on the Internet may enable Internet users to recognize and report these scams instead of losing money or their identity information in one of them. To learn about the latest scams, they recommend periodically checking the IC3, FBI, and the FTC websites for the latest updates.

Additionally, the IC3 and its partners have launched a public website, "www.lookstoogoodtobetrue.com," which briefs the consumer about various consumer alerts, tips, and fraud trends. Pay it a visit. Make it a habit.

Also, when it comes to online auctions, and the potential of non-delivery of goods that you've paid for, the IC3 makes these specific recommendations:

o Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source. As with auction fraud, check the reputation of the seller whenever possible, including the Better Business Bureau.

o Try to obtain a physical address rather than merely a post office box and a phone number. Also, call the seller to see if the number is correct and working.

o Send them an e-mail to see if they have an active e-mail address. Be cautious of sellers who use free e-mail services where a credit card was not required to open the account.

o Investigate other websites regarding this person/company. Do not judge a person/company by their fancy website; thoroughly check the person/company out.

o Be cautious when responding to special offers (especially through unsolicited e-mail).

o Be cautious when dealing with individuals/companies from outside your own country. Remember the laws of different countries might pose issues if a problem arises with your transaction.

o Inquire about returns and warranties on all items.

o The safest way to purchase items via the Internet is by credit card because you can often dispute the charges if something is wrong. Also, consider utilizing an escrow or alternate payment service after conducting thorough research on the escrow service.

o Make sure the website is secure when you electronically send your credit card numbers.

Bona Fide vs. Fraudulent Online Escrow Companies

If you have found a good online deal and are now ready to purchase, it would serve you very well to take IC3's recommendation and engage an online escrow service.

The problem is that while there are several bona fide online escrow sites, they are nowhere near as many as there are fraudulent ones.

So, how can you be sure that the escrow company you're considering using is in fact what it says it is?

You must research it. First, do a WHOIS search on the domain. This will show you how long the site has been up, where it is being hosted, how many times the site has been taken down. These are clues. If it smells fishy at all to you, go elsewhere.

Then Google the name of the escrow company to see what gives. This will lead you to forums and other articles. Study them well.

Then, when you have found a site that appears legitimate, travel the extra mile and take one of several additional steps:

o Firstly, while fraudulent sites can buy the necessary certificate to make it a secure site, they seldom do;

o Secondly, you can check at escrow-fraud.com to see if the site you have decided on is listed as a fraudulent site by them; they also maintain a list of bona fide sites;

o Thirdly, you can call the site's customer service department to make sure they are based in the United States. If you have any doubts about that, ask them to call you back, and check the caller ID-if it is an international call, beware. Also, if the site does not have a customer service department, again, beware;

o Once you know that you're talking to a U.S. based service department, ask any questions you can think of to ensure they are legitimate, such as which bank are they using for their escrow accounts, and who is their main contact at that bank (whom you can then call to verify that this online escrow company does in deed have an escrow account there);

o If the answer is a well-known American bank, and if the customer service rep can supply contact information at the bank, you are 99% there. Then, if you want to reach 100%, make that final call to the bank to rule out any vestige of doubt.

Now you have found an online escrow company you can trust; register with them and enjoy your purchase.

Here's to good and safe Internet deals.

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho-based Ulf Wolf writes about cybercrime for Escrow.com.

Escrow.com, the major oneline escrow company is licensed to to provide services across the United States. Bay Weighs In

To quote the biggest online auction site of them all, eBay: "Pay safely - beware of fake escrow services when you consider using them to pay for your eBay item.

"For eBay transactions, you should use eBay's only approved Escrow Company: http://www.escrow.com."

Escrow.com, the major oneline escrow company is licensed to to provide services across the United States.

When it comes to automobile transactions, Escrow.com does go the extra mile (no pun indented), with services that include:

Title Transfer
Inspection Service
Vehicle Title Insurance
Vehicle and Motorcycle Transport
Vehicle History

Sleep well at night, use the online escrow service with proven record.

Sex Crimes and Criminal Consequences

There is a vast array of criminal offenses that are sex-related. A sex offense conviction can have lasting ramifications including social isolation and sex offender registration for the accused.

In our society, non-consensual sexual contact is a criminal offense. Even some forms of consensual sexual acts are criminalized as well. In some instances merely showing too much skin or too much affection in public can be prosecuted as indecent exposure. Engaging in prostitution as the "prostitute" or the "John" is illegal when money exchanges hands, even though it is entirely consensual. People can be guilty of committing a sex crime without even knowing it; for example, when a young man engages in a sexual act with a young teenage girl who is below the age of consent (without being aware of her age), or when one performs certain "acts" in view of the public eye.

Our society is relatively conservative in its sexual practices, and unlike many other countries, you will get into trouble if you show too much flesh, engage in sexual acts in public or have sex with someone that is too young. It is not difficult to break a state law and be guilty of committing a sex crime. Unfortunately, however minor or innocent the offense might have been at the time, you can suffer significant criminal consequences as a result.

These types of crimes vary in degrees and severity. The more force that is involved in the crime and the younger the victim, the greater the criminal penalties. Some sex crimes are prosecuted as misdemeanor offenses and involve no more than one year in jail; however, more serious sex crimes can be prosecuted as felonies and involve incarceration in a state prison for a minimum of one year and can extend for a number of years.

Common examples of sex-related offenses include: sexual assault, sexual battery, rape, forcible rape, molestation, sodomy, child rape, and child molestation, possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. More serious sex crimes such as sexual battery or child rape involve mandatory sex offender registration. Failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements can send a convicted sex offender right back to state prison.

Certain sex crimes which involve the use of the internet are considered federal crimes because they cross state lines. These types of sex crimes typically involve crimes against children. Crimes such as possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography are considered federal offenses.

Being accused of a sex offense is very uncomfortable and embarrassing because it questions your ethics and morals. Sadly, as serious as sex crimes are, many innocent individuals are either falsely accused or entangled in a web of lies by the supposed accuser. Innocent fathers can be falsely accused of molesting their daughters by their ex-wife in a bitter child custody battle, or adult men can be fooled into believing an underage girl was over eighteen. It isn't unusual for innocent men to be the target of an unscrupulous and manipulating scheme out of vengeance. If you have been accused of a sex crime, you could be facing serious criminal consequences. Not only that, but a sex crime conviction can have a detrimental impact on your career and future relationships. You have no other choice but to hire a tough criminal defense attorney who can protect your legal rights throughout the criminal process.

Superior Law Center represents clients facing all types of criminal charges throughout San Diego County. With over a decade of legal experience, they can provide you with the dedicated and sound legal representation that you are looking for. They will not take a passive and apathetic approach to your case; instead they will work aggressively on your behalf, fighting for your freedom every step of the way. Their legal team assists people with criminal charges ranging from drug crimes, to juvenile crimes, to sex crimes, white collar crimes and many more. If you would like to speak with a highly experienced attorney about your case, contact a San Diego criminal defense lawyer from their firm at (888) 258-6185 for a confidential consultation.

Crime Rates Among Children - Is Single Parenting the Cause?

Parenting is a hard job that can be difficult with two parents in the home, let alone one. Because of this awesome responsibility, much has been said about the possibility that raising kids minus a mother or father can lead to higher crime rates among children.

While a compelling argument, something as complex as youth crime may not a solitary cause. A case in point would be the fact that most high profile crimes, like school shootings, involve kids from two parent households. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the Columbine killers, lived in fairly upscale neighborhoods and came from two parent homes.

A poll even indicated that 85 % of the public believed that the parents of the Columbine Murders were at fault for their children's criminal behavior. Victim's families even filed civil suits against them for financial damages. So, it would appear that crime rates among children may not be attributed solely to single parent's children, but can stem from any home at any given time.

Single Parent Stigma

While the case can be made that many crimes are committed by children from single homes, studies indicate that there has been a decline in youth crime even though single parenthood still exists. FBI crime statistics even indicate that violent juvenile crime stats are at their lowest point in twenty years. It cannot be ignored that major crime rates among children occur across all demographics.This is especially true when it comes to school shooters, who tend to come from two parent homes.

So, what are the common denominators? One finds that in homes where there is attention, love and care, the child is well adjusted and happy. Of course, a single parent may find it harder to give time and attention, especially when working two jobs to make ends meet. On the other hand, if a double parent home is dysfunctional, abusive or devoid of love, it can produce a hostility that comes out in negatively as well.

Dooming Kids to Failure

The assumption is that most kids from single a parent homes are products of divorce or an "epidemic" of teens who opt to live on welfare and do not have the skills to raise their children properly. A look at welfare statistics however, indicates that only 8% of the welfare dole is given out to teen parents. This means that the epidemic we tend to hear so much about may be a little inflated.

In most cases, teens who have babies receive help from their extended families. This also means that the child may have familial love and support from relatives who assist in child rearing duties. Some children are raised by a single parent because of the death of their mother or father as well. In other words, single parents may end up having to raise a kid alone due to situations beyond their control.

If we live in a society that automatically places single parent kids in the potentially bad apple category, we inadvertently start a self-fulfilling prophecy of crime rates among children in this group. In this case, it won't be from single parenting that these kids act out, but from their reaction to how society chooses to deal with such complex issues. This should be enough to compel us to seek real solutions to an extremely complex problem and not place the blame solely on the shoulders of all single parents.

Pieter West travels the world on a regular basis and have written about numerous subjects. He has an extensive knowledge about, finances, DIY, parenting advice and many more subjects. You can find more of Pieter's articles regarding Single Parenting at http://www.singleparentingguide.com/

Violent and Property Crime Statistics

Just how likely are you to become a victim of crime? It is believed that crime is increasing in many cities across the United States. Most of the country's large cities, from New Orleans to Los Angeles and everywhere in between, have disturbingly high numbers of violent crime (which include murder, rape, and assault) as well as property crimes such a thefts, burglaries, and break-ins. Living in today's world, it's no wonder why so many people have chosen to protect their homes, themselves, and their families with security systems, stun guns, pepper spray, personal alarms, and a whole host of other devices designed to give you peace of mind and help you thwart an attack.

What do the statistics show about the level of crime in the United States? Last year, there was a violent crime every 22.8 seconds, and an aggravated assault every 37.8 seconds. No matter your gender, age, or location, it is critical that you protect yourself before you become part of these statistics.

There were almost five million acts of violence with female victims reported in the United States last year. Three quarters of these women were attacked when alone, and half were attacked by multiple assailants. Thirty percent of female victims of violence were attacked by someone they knew well. There are more than half a million rapes reported in the United States each year. These statistics underscore the need for women, especially, to protect themselves. Carry pepper spray in your handbag everywhere you go. A stun gun shaped like a cell phone or pepper spray disguised to look like a pen can be great choices, especially when you consider that many of these crimes are perpetrated by attackers who know their victim.

According to the FBI, there are more than seventeen million property crimes such as burglary in the United States each year, including a burglary every twelve seconds and a violent robbery every 70 seconds. The average dollar loss per home invasion is about $1,725 to $2,000, and by far houses are the biggest target for break-ins. Clearly, property crimes are a huge problem in the United States. When you consider the danger your home is in, as well as how much property you are risking by leaving it unprotected, it makes sense to protect your home with alarms, security cameras, and other devices.

Much can be learned from the method of entry for most home burglaries. About two thirds of residential burglaries occurred during daylight hours, while many people mistakenly believe that their home is at greater risk at night. A third of all home invasions happen right through the front door, while another quarter enter through a first floor window, and nearly all of the rest enter through the back door or garage. In nearly all cases, any alarms or other security systems on the home were not turned on or armed at the time of the burglary.

Historically speaking, property crime tends to increase when the economy is not doing well. Since we are currently in a recession, it is all the more important to protect yourself, your home, and your family.

Resist Attack has a full range of stun guns both for families and security forces. Also check for current specials on hand held metal detectors

Explaining White Collar Crimes

White collar crime is a general term referring to non-violent crimes that are financially motivated. The term "white collar crime" comes from the idea that they were typically committed by business executives who wear a white shirt and tie, hence the term. However, it is a misnomer because people from all types of backgrounds can commit this type of crime.

It is not required to be a business executive or someone with a college degree to bribe somebody, or to blackmail an individual. The same goes for tax evasion, counterfeiting, forgery and identity theft. Still, those offenses are often in the same category.

The one element that all white collar crimes have in common is that they are usually involved in some type of fraudulent scam or activity. Although anybody can commit this crime, many times they are committed by professionals who have direct access to the resources necessary to further such crimes. They can use their special occupational skills, access and opportunities to defraud governments, businesses and individuals.

Due to the fact that white collar crimes are financially-related they are not necessarily connected to narcotics, crimes against personal property, organized crime, immigration, civil rights or vice crimes.

In the United States, criminal law is primarily enforced at the state level, however, white collar crimes can be prosecuted at either the state or federal level, or both. Many of these crimes cross state lines, therefore many of them are prosecuted in federal court.

White collar crimes are taken very seriously in this country; they are responsible for huge financial losses to federal, state, and local governments, to corporations, small businesses and to individuals. Many of them are investigated by large government agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Securities Exchange commission. It is not uncommon for a person to pay thousands of dollars in fines, to pay victim restitution, and to replace the money they stole.

This is all in addition to incarceration in a state or federal penitentiary. If you are under investigation for a white collar crime, or if you have already been arrested, you should contact a criminal defense attorney right away. You want to make sure that you are doing everything possible to protect your legal rights - hiring a lawyer will be your first line of defense! Do not wait to get the help you need because time is crucial in these cases.

Acosta, Batovski & Schmiege is a criminal defense firm located in Chicago, Illinois. At their firm, their Chicago criminal defense attorneys have proven over the years that outstanding service and dedication can make all the difference in a criminal case. Regardless of what you were charged with, they have the tools and experience you need to effectively defend your case. If you should go with their firm, they will work aggressively on your behalf from the beginning to the end. To learn more about how they can help you, contact a Chicago criminal defense attorney from their firm by calling (312) 626-2400 today.