At a state peace officers’ convention, two police officers f…
At a state peace officers’ convention, two police officers from Sedateville, a small rural community, developed a friendship with two officers from Trendville, a metropolitan city. Gambling, except for a state lottery, was prohibited in the state. As their friendship developed, they enjoyed “a friendly game of poker” with modest betting. They all agreed that “after all, gambling is really not all bad” and probably should not be prohibited. As the rural officers began to lament their modest salaries, the Trendville officers introduced them to some “prominent businessmen.” They all agreed that “it would hurt no one” to allow these businessmen to conduct some private gambling operations in Sedateville. But, of course, the operation would require some protection by the local police. With cooperation of the officers, the businessmen opened a bar where gambling was conducted in a back room. The new operation also accommodated male patrons seeking prostitutes by transporting the men to Trendville for a weekend “sports event.” Through the cooperation of the officers, the new operation was “overlooked” by the Sedateville police. In turn, the officers from Trendville and Sedateville enjoyed some of the profits from the gambling and prostitution activities. The four officers’ gains eventually exceeded their salaries as police officers, and as they later said, “No one was hurt in this operation—people were just allowed to have a good time.” Assuming this conduct were considered an enterprise under state law, could the officers be prosecuted for a RICO violation?
Read DetailsNevada has a loitering law that states: Any person who, with…
Nevada has a loitering law that states: Any person who, without legitimate reason to supervise any of such children or other legitimate reason to be at leisure in such place, loiters about any school or public place at or near which children attend or normally congregate is guilty of a misdemeanor. Lazy Larry who doesn’t work, dropped his 2nd grade child off at elementary school one nice spring day. Lazy Larry then decided to rest for a few minutes before walking around town and checking garbage bins for discarded food and cigarettes. Lazy Larry fell asleep. A secretary in the school noticed Lazy Larry laying on the grass and called law enforcement. A police officer arrived and arrested Lazy Larry. Is Lazy Larry guilty of violating this Nevada law?
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