NCJ Number
10243
Date Published
1971
Length
226 pages
Annotation
RELATIONSHIP OF THE CRIMINAL LAW PROCESS TO THREE MAJOR CRIME PROBLEMS IN AMERICAN SOCIETY - MARIJUANA USE, WHITE COLLAR OCCUPATIONAL CRIME, AND ORGANIZED CRIME.
Abstract
ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENTS IN THE MODERN SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY OF CRIME HAS BEEN THE INCREASING FOCUS ON THE NATURE OF THE LEGAL PROCESS ITSELF THE FORMULATION, ENFORCEMENT, AND ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL LAWS. THE INTRODUCTORY CHAPTERS PROVIDE A THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE FOR EXAMINATION OF THE THREE CRIME PROBLEMS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE NATURE OF CRIMINAL STATUTES, THEIR MODE OF ENFORCEMENT, AND THEIR ADMINISTRATION THROUGH THE JUDICIAL PROCESS, HELP TO PATTERN CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR. HYPOTHETICALLY, THESE FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO THE EMERGENCE AND PERSISTENCE OF THE PARTICULAR CRIME PROBLEM, THE FORM THAT IT TAKES, AND THE DIFFICULTIES OF COPING WITH IT EFFECTIVELY. THE STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF MARIJUANA LAWS, FOR INSTANCE, IS SEEN AS PRODUCING ALIENATION OF LARGE NUMBERS OF YOUTHS, ETHICALLY QUESTIONABLE POLICE TACTICS, AND THE DIVERSION OF RESOURCES FROM THE ENFORCEMENT OF SERIOUS CRIMES. ORGANIZED CRIME IS VIEWED AS A BUSINESS PROVIDING GOODS AND SERVICES DEMANDED BY SIZABLE SEGMENTS OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND AS LARGELY IMMUNE FROM ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES BECAUSE OF SYMBIOTIC RELATIONS WITH CORRUPT POLITICIANS AND POLICE. MANY VICTIMLESS CRIMES MUST BE DECRIMINALIZED BEFORE ORGANIZED CRIME CAN BE EFFECTIVELY ATTACKED. THE LENIENT HANDLING OF WHITE COLLAR CRIMINALS IS ALSO ANALYZED AND EXPLAINED. (SNI ABSTRACT)