NCJ Number
244897
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 24 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2013 Pages: 353-369
Date Published
May 2013
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study examined whether white-collar offenders are sentenced more leniently than other types of offenders.
Abstract
A longstanding debate in criminology and criminal justice has focused on whether white-collar offenders are sentenced more leniently than other types of offenders. This study uses a sample of approximately 1,200 adjudicated offenders who were employed in various types of health care professions at the time of their offensesincluding both high-status and low-status positionsto explore whether the formal response to these types of occupational offenders are based on the status of the offender. The results show that certain types of high-status white-collar offenders appear to be punished more severely than lower status offenders from the health care field. Implications for policy, theory, and future research are provided. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.