NCJ Number
72806
Date Published
1980
Length
19 pages
Annotation
The ability of the components of the criminal justice system (police, prosecution, courts, corrections, criminal defense) to control white-collar crime on the Federal, State and local levels is analyzed, and improvements, including a greater Federal role, are suggested.
Abstract
Most of the activity directed against white collar crime is generated by the Federal government. Notably, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has established white collar cases as one of three major investigative priorities. However, there is lack of reliable statistical data on white collar offenses. Other problems at the Federal level include constraints on Federal detection, investigation, and prosecution caused by limits of legal jurisdiction, lack of resources, and ambiguous enforcement policies such as the duplication of authority in several consumer protection agencies. The State and local criminal justice apparatus is much larger that of the Federal government but it is geared more toward fighting street crime. In addition, it is a characteristic of white collar crime that people in many jurisdictions are victimized and this poses the question of responsibility. Therefore, recommendations include greater Federal technical assistance to State and local components of the criminal justice system, and a greater Federal role in the coordination of containment activities. Also recommended are special-focus training for local police and investigative units of both Federal and State agencies, and the creation of special white collar crime units in larger prosecution and police offices at State and local levels. The development of effective information and coordination networks to meet the complex challenge of multistate schemes is urged. Footnotes are included.