NCJ Number
63724
Date Published
1979
Length
15 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES SOCIETY'S PERCEPTION OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIME AS OPPOSED TO ORDINARY CRIME AND PRESENTS VARIOUS RESPONSES THAT ADDRESS THE INJUSTICES OF THE PRESENT DUAL SYSTEM.
Abstract
DEFINITIONS OF WHITE-COLLAR CRIME ARE PRESENTED, INCLUDING THOSE OF SCHOLARS AND OF THE U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN ITS 'HANDBOOK ON WHITE-COLLAR CRIME.' PERSONS OFFERING SOLUTIONS TO WHITE-COLLAR OFFENSES DIFFER ON THE ADEQUACY OF CIVIL REMEDIES AND THE NEED FOR CRIMINAL SANCTIONS. WHILE THERE ARE UNIQUE ASPECTS TO WHITE-COLLAR CRIME, THE TREATMENT OF NONTRADITIONAL CRIMINALS MUST HAVE SOME REFERENCE TO THE GENERAL APPROACH TAKEN BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. MANY ARGUE FOR A MORE VIGOROUS RESPONSE TO WHITE-COLLAR CRIME BECAUSE OF THE GREAT MORAL AND FINANCIAL DAMAGE THAT IT DOES AND BECAUSE OF THE INEQUITY OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM. COUNTERARGUMENTS ARE GIVEN, INCLUDING THE LACK OR MORAL INDIGNATION ON THE PART OF THE PUBLIC WHICH WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR A MORE STRINGENT RESPONSE, THE ADDITIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT COSTS, AND THE NATURE OF THE PROBATION SYSTEM WHICH WORKS IN FAVOR OF THE WHITE-COLLAR CRIMINAL. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT EITHER SOCIETY SHOULD MORE AGGRESSIVELY PURSUE THE WHITE-COLLAR CRIMINAL OR, IN THE NAME OF JUSTICE, IT SHOULD RESPOND TO TRADITIONAL NONVIOLENT PROPERTY CRIME (BURGLARY, LARCENY, ETC.) WITH LESS VINDICTIVENESS. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (RFC)