NCJ Number
185183
Date Published
2000
Length
34 pages
Annotation
Choice theories assume criminals carefully chose whether to commit criminal acts, and these theories include rational choice, routine activities, general deterrence, specific deterrence, and incapacitation theories.
Abstract
People are influenced by their fear of criminal penalties associated with being caught and convicted for law violations. Choice theories are predicated on the view that the more severe, certain, and swift the punishment, the more likely it is to control crime. They are rooted in the classical criminology of Beccaria and Bentham, 18th century social philosophers. Choice theorists view crime as offense and offender-specific and cite research indicating that offenders consider their targets carefully before deciding on a course of action. By implication, crime can be prevented or displaced by convincing potential criminals that the risks of violating the law exceed the benefits. Deterrence theory holds that if criminals are indeed rational, an inverse relationship should exist between punishment and crime. Specific deterrence theory holds that the crime rate can be reduced if known offenders are punished so severely that they never commit crimes again. Choice theories have been influential in shaping public policies, and criminal law is designed to deter potential criminals and to fairly punish those have been caught in illegal acts. Some courts have changed sentencing policies to adapt to classical principles, and the correctional system in the United States seems focused on incapacitation and specific deterrence. The just desert view is that criminal sanctions should be geared precisely to offense seriousness; people should be punished on the basis of whether they deserve to punished for what they have done and not because it may affect or deter their future behavior. 199 notes, 5 tables, 1 figure, and 6 photographs