NCJ Number
185190
Date Published
2000
Length
22 pages
Annotation
Economic crimes are designed to financially reward the offender, and opportunistic amateurs commit most economic crimes.
Abstract
Economic crimes also attract professional criminals who earn most of their income from crime, view themselves as criminals, and possess skills that aid them in their criminal behavior. According to Sutherland and Conwell, professionals live by their wits and never resort to violence. A good example of the professional criminal is the fence who buys and sells stolen merchandise. There are also occasional thieves whose skill level and commitment fall below the professional level. Common theft offenses include larceny, embezzlement, fraud, and burglary. Larceny involves taking the legal possessions of another. Petty larceny is typically theft of amounts under $100, while grand larceny usually refers to theft of amounts over $100. The crime of fraud is similar to larceny in that it involves the theft of goods or money. Fraud differs from the theft of goods, however, in that the criminal tricks victims into voluntarily giving up their possessions. Embezzlement is another larceny crime. It involves people taking something that was temporarily entrusted to them, such as bank tellers taking money out of the cash drawer and keeping it for themselves. Most States have codified common law crimes in their legal codes. New larceny crimes have been defined to keep abreast of changing social conditions, such as passing bad checks, stealing or illegally using credit cards, shoplifting, and stealing automobiles. Burglary, a more serious theft offense, includes theft from any structure at any time of day. Because burglary involves planning and risk, it attracts professional thieves who have technical competence and personal integrity, specialize in burglary, are financially successful, and avoid prison sentences. Arson is another serious property crime. Although most arsonists are teenage vandals, there are professional arsonists who specialize in burning commercial buildings for profit. 71 notes, 1 table, 4 figures, and 4 photographs