NCJ Number
15344
Date Published
1973
Length
188 pages
Annotation
PRESENTS A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS FOR SOCIETY AND THE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS, CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY, AND SO-CALLED CRIMES WITHOUT VICTIMS.
Abstract
EMOTIONAL AND ECONOMIC COST-BENEFIT ARE VIEWED AS PRIME DETERMINERS OF BEHAVIOR. BEHAVIOR THAT INVOLVES HIGH COST AND LITTLE BENEFIT IS DEEMED TO BE MINIMAL. IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF LAW IS TO INCREASE THE COST TO A PROHIBITIVE LEVEL OF BEHAVIOR WHICH, IF UNCONTROLLED, CREATES DISTURBING COSTS TO THE DOMINANT SOCIOECONOMIC CONTROL GROUPS. SEXUAL CRIMES AND A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF MURDERS AND ASSAULTS ARE VIEWED AS HOLDING EMOTIONAL BENEFIT FOR THE OFFENDERS SUCH THAT LAWS INTENDED TO IMPOSE SUBSEQUENT SOCIOECONOMIC COSTS ON THE OFFENDER DO NOT STEM THE BENEFITS DERIVED FROM THE EMOTIONAL ACTIVITY OF THE MOMENTARY CRIME. PROPERTY CRIMES ARE DEEMED MOST SUSCEPTIBLE TO REDUCTION BY IMPOSING AN EFFECTIVE COST STRUCTURE THROUGH LAW THAT WILL DEPRIVE THE OFFENDER OF ANY BENEFIT. THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING SOCIOECONOMIC ALTERNATIVES THAT ARE ACCEPTABLE AND WITHIN REACH FOR THE OFFENDER'S BENEFIT IS EMPHASIZED. PROSTITUTION, GAMBLING, AND DRUG USE ARE CONSIDERED TO IMPOSE MORE COSTS ON SOCIETY THROUGH PROHIBITIVE LEGISLATION THAN THROUGH CONTROLLED LEGALIZATION.