NCJ Number
82021
Journal
Kriminalist Volume: 13 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1981) Pages: 372,374,376,378-379
Date Published
1981
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The first 6 years of data collection and analysis by the Max Planck Institute in Freiburg have yielded an overview of white-collar criminality in West Germany and the effectiveness of legislative, investigative, and prosecution efforts in this area.
Abstract
The researchers have been receiving regular uniform statistics on white-collar crime from the German States and compiling them for a nationwide picture since 1974. The submitted reports contain information on the details of the offense as well as on case processing and disposition. The summary overview deals with the processing of reported white-collar crimes, length of indictment procedures, number and characteristics of indicted offenders (age, sex, prior record), the legal status of victimized firms or agencies, the industry affected (banking, construction, trade, branch of government, etc.), the numbers and characteristics of victims, and amount and type of damage or loss. The analysis found that indictments for economic crimes increased from 2,893 to 3,727 between 1974 and 1977, but sank from 1978 to 3,087 in 1979. Indictment processing time ranged from 3 months to 3 years. The number of persons indicted per case ranged from 1 to 10; the total number of persons indicted rose from 5,058 to 6,879 in the years reviewed. The construction industry was the most heavily victimized sector of the economy. Extensive tables and footnotes are given. For the continuation of the article, see NCJ 82022.