White collar Essays

White collar Essays White collar Essay White collar Essay White collar criminals have been traditionally given less severe sentences than other criminals of similar nature of crime like theft. The sentences have been milder, with a greater chance of being granted parole, the duration of prison is much less. In general the judges have been reasonably more lenient on white collar criminals.However this view is changing in a lot of places. More judges are beginning to hate ‘rich’ criminals in that they already have whatever society has to offer. They have a good upbringing, a secure job, family status, recognition at work, so they cannot be excused for committing crime simply because they are not ‘criminals’. However this is not universal, and still in most situations the white collar criminals will be let off with a much milder sentence. There are a number of reasons for this.An important reason for this is that these criminals are well adjusted in society, and are not by nature criminals. These crimes are not a crim e of passion, and these people are mentally stable. Since they are not hardened criminals, there is justification in giving them much lighter sentences. These people have not intent to cause physical harm or death of the victim.The main aim is to make more money by frauds or other means from the victim. Physical harm is not intended or caused at all. The crime is committed from the background. Thus the criminal justifies his crime by saying that he himself is a victim of circumstances, and that the victim, will anyway not miss what has been stolen from him, because he is anyway so rich. So even if a little is taken from him, how does it matter?Another reason which has been used to justify lighter punishments for these people is the thought that these criminals face the â€Å"shame† o f the society. In fact in one of the cases involving a white collar criminal, the judge reasoned that a white-collar defendant should receive reduced prison time because â€Å"[t]he ignominy of a conviction and a sentence by one person who commits a crime of this type is quite different from what is tolerated with respect to other offenses where the ignominy of conviction is not that serious. Since these are men who are part of a social network, they are known to many people. Thus when their crime comes to light, there are many people to criticize them, with the resultant guilt and shame.The last. But not the least cited reason is that these criminals are able to rehabilitate better and are less prone to recidivism. Since they are well adjusted in society with education and possible social standing, on being caught, the guilt that they face, will allow them to face the situation better, and move on   with their life, get back to work, and forget deviant behavior. The whole aim of any punishment is to make the person better and social rehabilitation.So some of these factors are already at play in these people.ReferencesWhite-Collar Defendants and White-Collar Crimes.   Accessed on 20.June.2008 from sentencing.nj.gov/downloads/ pdf/articles/2007/Apr2007/document06.1.pdfSentencing Law and Policy: Are the federal guidelines too tough on. Accessed on 20.June.2008 from sentencing.typepad.com/sentencing_ law_and_policy/2005/04/are_the_federal.html