An unenforced law (also symbolic law,[1] dead letter law[2]) is a law which is formally in effect (de jure), but is usually (de facto) not penalized by a jurisdiction.[3] Such laws are usually ignored by law enforcement, and therefore there are few or no practical consequences for breaking them.[4] The existence of unenforced laws has been criticized for undermining the legal system in general, as such laws may be selectively enforced.[5]
- ^ Gunnlaugsson, Helgi; Galliher, John F. (December 2010). "Drug Globalization: Eventual Legalization of Beer in Iceland and Marihuana Decriminalization in the USA". Journal of Scandinavian Studies in Criminology and Crime Prevention. 11 (2): 119–134. doi:10.1080/14043858.2010.523553.
- ^ Junker, John M. (1971). "Criminalization and Criminogenesis". UCLA Law Review. 19: 697.
- ^ Keedy, Edwin R. (January 1922). "Administration of the Criminal Law". The Yale Law Journal. 31 (3): 240. doi:10.2307/789043.
- ^ Modern criminal law; Wayne R. LaFave; P 53
- ^ Fieschi, Catherine (2006-02-26). "Symbolic laws". Prospect Magazine. Retrieved 2021-04-26.