Legal Definitions - personal-condition crime

Personal-condition crime is a type of crime that is based on a person's status or condition, rather than their actions. For example, it is a crime to be drunk in public or to be in possession of drugs, even if you have not harmed anyone. These are known as status crimes.

Other examples of personal-condition crimes include prostitution, gambling, and loitering. These crimes are considered harmful to society, even if they do not involve a victim in the traditional sense.

Personal-condition crimes are controversial because they criminalize behavior that some people believe should not be illegal. However, proponents argue that these laws are necessary to maintain public order and prevent harm to individuals and communities.

For example, laws against prostitution are intended to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation. Laws against drug possession are intended to prevent drug abuse and addiction, which can have negative effects on individuals and society as a whole.