Criminal solicitation

Nature

To command, induce, entreat or in any way attempt to persuade another person to commit a particular felony and an individual makes an overt act to accomplish the intent of the solicitation is to be guilty of criminal solicitation.

Background

Criminal solicitation emerged as a recognized global concern with the rise of transnational organized crime in the 20th century, particularly as authorities observed the orchestration of illegal acts across borders without direct perpetration. High-profile cases involving drug trafficking, terrorism, and human trafficking highlighted the complexity of prosecuting those who incite or command crimes remotely. International legal frameworks and conventions have since evolved to address the growing sophistication and reach of solicitation activities worldwide.

Incidence

Criminal solicitation is a persistent issue affecting both developed and developing nations, with digital communication platforms amplifying its reach. Law enforcement agencies worldwide report thousands of cases annually, ranging from solicitation to commit murder to organized crime recruitment. The clandestine nature of solicitation, often conducted through encrypted messaging or the dark web, complicates detection and prosecution, contributing to its global prevalence and societal impact.
In 2023, a high-profile case in the United States involved a Texas woman arrested for allegedly soliciting a hitman online to murder her husband. The FBI intervened after monitoring her communications on a dark web forum dedicated to contract killings.

Claim

Criminal solicitation is a deeply troubling and urgent problem that threatens the very fabric of our society. By encouraging or requesting others to commit crimes, individuals not only endanger public safety but also undermine the rule of law. Ignoring solicitation allows criminal networks to flourish and innocent people to be manipulated or harmed. We must treat criminal solicitation with the utmost seriousness and prioritize its prevention and prosecution to protect our communities.

Counter-claim

Criminal solicitation is vastly overblown as a societal concern. Compared to actual crimes, mere solicitation rarely results in real harm, and law enforcement resources are better spent addressing tangible offenses. The focus on solicitation distracts from more pressing issues like violent crime and systemic injustice. Treating solicitation as a major problem inflates its significance and diverts attention from what truly matters in maintaining public safety and justice.