Earl Warren brings up some powerful imagery when he says that "crime is contagious. If the Government becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy" (Opinion.IV.2). By comparing crime to contagion, Warren appeals to our love of blockbuster thrillers about epidemics. And to our fear of disease, and the knowledge that it can spread quickly if not checked.

Warren is smart to link contagion to anarchy. Just like a pandemic can create chaos and break down the order of society, a nation where the police operate without regard to the law could quickly turn into a corrupt country with no protection or sense of safety. Trust us, there are plenty of countries like that in this world.