Introduction
In this essay, I will be specifically discussing the disparities between “White-Collar Criminals” and “Street Criminals” within the United States Justice System. In the United States, “White Collar Criminals” are 33.4% less likely to be convicted of their crimes than “Street Criminals”. (Van Slyke and Bales 2012) In other words, “White Collar Criminals” have an unprecedented advantage in the Justice System. In a review of the U.S Sentencing Commission’s White-Collar Sentencing Guidelines and Loss Data, Mark Allenbaugh found that fraud sentences remain the second lowest average behind immigration charges. In comparison, the findings reveal that the average sentence for fraud charges fall at around 24 months, whereas the average …show more content…
He claimed that the type of person who perpetrates this crime is a member of the upper class whose crimes were often disregarded by the Justice System. Sutherland described this person as being of high financial and political power and did not possess the traits commonly associated with deviant behaviour, such as a low socioeconomic level, sociopathic or psychopathic behaviour. (Reurink 2016) Since Sutherland’s classification more research has been conducted in “White-Collar Crime”. A study, headed by Stant Wheeler at Yale University concluded that most “White-Collar Crime” cases were perpetrated by members of the middle class who had abused their positions in their jobs. Therefore, the modern definition of “White-Collar Crime” is an illegal or unethical act in the financial sector that violate the public’s trust, committed by an individual or a cooperation, perpetrated by an individual(s) of a high social status for personal or corporate gain. (Reurink 2016) The definition for “Street Crime” has remained unchanged and is defined as an illegal activity usually involving theft, violence, illegal trade of prohibited items, etc. Commonly perpetrated by an individual(s) of lower socioeconomic …show more content…
While it is believed that many fear violent crimes, there is a growing desire to punish those who commit “White Collar Crime”. In a 2005 Telephone Survey, 60% of the sample responded that the government should dedicate more resources to enforcing and preventing these crimes. (Holdrege, et al.) In result, the public desires “White-Collar Criminals” to be convicted of their crimes at a higher rate. In order to do so, the United States Judicial System needs to conduct more research in unconscious bias on the courtroom and solve the issue of bias enabling individuals to rule in favour of White-Collar
In this essay, I will be specifically discussing the disparities between “White-Collar Criminals” and “Street Criminals” within the United States Justice System. In the United States, “White Collar Criminals” are 33.4% less likely to be convicted of their crimes than “Street Criminals”. (Van Slyke and Bales 2012) In other words, “White Collar Criminals” have an unprecedented advantage in the Justice System. In a review of the U.S Sentencing Commission’s White-Collar Sentencing Guidelines and Loss Data, Mark Allenbaugh found that fraud sentences remain the second lowest average behind immigration charges. In comparison, the findings reveal that the average sentence for fraud charges fall at around 24 months, whereas the average …show more content…
He claimed that the type of person who perpetrates this crime is a member of the upper class whose crimes were often disregarded by the Justice System. Sutherland described this person as being of high financial and political power and did not possess the traits commonly associated with deviant behaviour, such as a low socioeconomic level, sociopathic or psychopathic behaviour. (Reurink 2016) Since Sutherland’s classification more research has been conducted in “White-Collar Crime”. A study, headed by Stant Wheeler at Yale University concluded that most “White-Collar Crime” cases were perpetrated by members of the middle class who had abused their positions in their jobs. Therefore, the modern definition of “White-Collar Crime” is an illegal or unethical act in the financial sector that violate the public’s trust, committed by an individual or a cooperation, perpetrated by an individual(s) of a high social status for personal or corporate gain. (Reurink 2016) The definition for “Street Crime” has remained unchanged and is defined as an illegal activity usually involving theft, violence, illegal trade of prohibited items, etc. Commonly perpetrated by an individual(s) of lower socioeconomic …show more content…
While it is believed that many fear violent crimes, there is a growing desire to punish those who commit “White Collar Crime”. In a 2005 Telephone Survey, 60% of the sample responded that the government should dedicate more resources to enforcing and preventing these crimes. (Holdrege, et al.) In result, the public desires “White-Collar Criminals” to be convicted of their crimes at a higher rate. In order to do so, the United States Judicial System needs to conduct more research in unconscious bias on the courtroom and solve the issue of bias enabling individuals to rule in favour of White-Collar