  Now consider (HPP). We can imagine a world in which we could flick a switch, sending an electronic signal to \(D\)’s brain, the only effect of which would be that \(D\) would not act wrongly. Whatever one thinks of this means of prevention, it is not the means we utilize when we make use of criminal law. Absent perfect compliance, criminal law prevents wrongs by publicly making accusations, condemning people as wrongdoers, and punishing them for their wrongs. Public accusations often stick even if nothing comes of them. Punishment is harmful by its very nature. The lives of \(D\)’s family and friends are collateral damage as \(D\)’s prospects are reduced. Some claim that we can justify causing such harm—at least when the state does the harming—only if this is a necessary and proportionate means of preventing people being harmed. So it is impermissible to criminalize when this condition is not satisfied. Hence (HPP) (Raz 1986, 418–420; Edwards 2014, 259–262).