On the Frontier

As settlements begin to move westward, lawlessness becomes especially widespread on the frontiers. Vigilantes, people who take matters into their own hands, chase, capture, and punish suspects without regard for criminal procedure or due process. Though this appears chaotic, vigilantes are interested in creating some sort of harmony in this disorderly environment. With the development of towns, sheriffs are appointed to bring order. They, in turn, organize men into posses to respond as needed to criminal events. Like all law enforcement in the New World‚where state and federal governments have yet to be established‚these efforts take place at the local level. This means that criminals or outlaws can move around, making crime all the more difficult to control or respond to.

Outlaws Jesse and Frank James of Missouri, represent lawlessness of American West in the Civil War era.