CJ M4A1

APA references

This week’s discussion will pick up on the topic of organized crime.

• Some crime families have strict membership requirements, along  ethnic lines. Is this something that is common among organized crime  organizations, or is this just an Italian/Sicilian thing? Why would a  criminal organization have such a strict rule about the ethnicity of its  full members in the first place?
• It's not uncommon that a legitimate business will also facilitate  criminal activity. For instance, consider a motel that charges by the  hour, or an adult “book store” with private booths in the back. Is there  a place in society for these kinds of businesses, or should the  government use tools like civil forfeiture to shut them down? Explain  your reasoning.
• Undercover law enforcement officers investigating organized crime  groups run the risk of being put in a position where they are expected  to engage in illegal behavior in order to maintain their cover. Is there  a problem with a law enforcement officer possibly breaking the law in  order to maintain his or her cover? It would not be out of the ordinary  for a motorcycle gang member to participate in a fight with a rival  gang. Should an undercover officer jump into the fight and actually  assault a member of the rival gang so that he is not suspected as an  outsider? Discuss what limits, if any, you would impose.