CRIMINAL LAW AND CONSUMER FRAUD - A SOCIOLEGAL VIEW

• NCJ Number: 16069
• Journal: American Criminal Law Review Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: (SUMMER 1973) Pages: 989-1010
• Author(s): G GEIS; H EDELHERTZ
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 22 pages
• Corporate Author: American Bar Association
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

PRESENTS THE THOUGHT OF SOCIOLOGIST EDWIN SUTHERLAND AND CONSUMER ADVOCATE RALPH NADER REGARDING THE THREAT AND NECESSITY FOR THE DETERRENCE OF WHITE COLLAR CRIME.

Abstract

THE HISTORY OF ATTITUDES TOWARD THE EXPLOITATIVE BEHAVIOR OF THE ARISTOCRACY AND CONTROLLERS OF PRODUCTION PROCESSES IS EXAMINED TO SHOW A TENDENCY OF LEGISLATORS AND COURTS TO IGNORE OR BE PERMISSIVE TOWARD THE ACQUISITIVE EXCESSES OF SUCH PERSONS IN THEIR OCCUPATIONAL ROLES. LOWER CLASS PERSONS ON THE OTHER HAND HAVE BEEN SEVERLY LABELED AND PUNISHED FOR LESSER CRIMES PERFORMED BY FORCE OUTSIDE OF ACCEPTABLE OCCUPATIONAL ROLES. THE AUTHOR USES QUOTES FROM NADER AND SUTHERLAND TO ARGUE FOR INCREASED USE OF CRIMINAL, CIVIL, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND PRIVATE SANCTIONS THAT WILL ESTABLISH A STIGMA AS WELL AS CRIMINAL PUNISHMENT FOR THE BEHAVIOR OF WHITE COLLAR OFFENDERS.