WHITE-COLLAR CRIME, LEGAL SANCTIONS, AND SOCIAL CONTROL'IDOLS OF THE THEATRE' IN OPERATION

• NCJ Number: 42969
• Journal: Crime & Delinquency Volume: 23 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1977) Pages: 290-303
• Author(s): J C WATKINS
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: National Council on Crime and Delinquency
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

PROSECUTORIAL EMPHASIS UPON THE ECONOMIC DAMAGE CAUSED BY 'WHITE-COLLAR' CRIMINALS IS CONSIDERED IMPORTANT IN BREAKING PUBLIC APATHY TOWARD THEIR CRIMES. SHORT PRISON TERMS ARE RECOMMENDED TO STIMULATE THE CRIMINAL IMAGE,

Abstract

IMAGES OF THE BUSINESSMAN AND PROFESSIONAL PERSON AS STATUS PERSONS AND SUCCESSFUL SYMBOLS OF THE CAPITALIST SYSTEM AE CONSIDERED BARRIERS IN PERCEIVING THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY 'WHITE COLLAR' CRIMES. IT IS BELIEVED THESE IMAGES IN THE MINDS OF JURORS CAN BE OVERCOME BY EMPHASIZING THE ACTUAL HARM INCURRED BY THE DEFENDANT'S ACT AND CONNECTING THE HARM TO PERSONAL BLAME. IT IS FURTHER BELIEVED THAT SHORT PRISON TERMS IN MINIMUM SECURITY INSTITUTIONS WOULD GENERATE THE OBSERVABLE AND EXPERIENCED LOSS OF STATUS THAT WOULD ACT AS A DETERRENT FOR THE TARGET OFFENDER.