Prompt: How pervasive is the problem of white collar crime? Do you think there is enough attention and resources given to this problem? Support your position using references to the textbook as well as other sources.
Response #1: I believe white-collar crime is highly persuasive. Who does not like money? In the 1930's Edwin H Sutherland coined the behavior of corporate types taking advantage of others white-collar crimes. This crime was not a crime without victims. This crime came about when the greed of businessmen only sought to increase the money in their pockets and increase their business interests. This crime is very damaging and it appears to be a social harm, it sometimes causes physical harm and a high level of financial pains. The amount of financial loss experienced supersedes any kind of general street crime. White-collar crime for many years was not even considered a crime. And this crime keeps the offenders from directly getting their hands dirty depending on the scheme they have developed. For some people this kind of crime comes easily. And the criminals largest concerns are, how can I get caught, will I get caught, and what kind of jail time am I looking at? These criminals see white-collar crime as an easy way to make cash or an easy way to increase their business, thus increasing their benefits and income. Did you know, "In 2006 traditional property crimes such as larceny, burglary, auto theft, and robbery accounted for an estimated $17.6 billion in losses? By comparison, the FBI estimates annual losses due to white-collar crime at $300 billion." (Criminal Justice iResearch Net) The sad part that persuades executives to commit certain crimes because they are less likely to be charged with a crime and one of their subordinates would end up being the fall guy for their bosses gains. This just increases the vicious circle.
I personally do not feel there is enough attention given to prosecuting white-collar crimes. The government also is having a difficult time finding resources to investigate some crimes because the crimes can be so involved it could take years to solve a complex criminal enterprise. Although the FBI investigates white-collar crimes in some cases their investigations can draw out so long, the statute of limitations can run out before particular parties can be charged. When major catastrophes occur within the United Stated, our FBI's investigative services are directed to that major situations and lesser investigations sometimes go by the wayside. When the Ponzi scheme was identified, brought to light and identified as a crime and people were finally charged with this behavior, I feel this really brought to light how easy it is to commit a white-collar crime. I just hope the FBI and other investigative agencies take more care and investigate fraudulent activity.
Sources:
Criminal Justice iResearch Net. "White-Collar Crime." Criminal Justice iResearch Net, Criminal Justice iResearch Net, 2017
Response #2: I do not believe that White Collar crime is a large problem facing the country. I do believe that there is a problem, but white collar crime is not as life threatening as different levels of crime. When it was first coined by Edwin Sutherland in 1939 to be upper class peoples commiting these types of crimes, in general people who are upper class for darwinism purposes they do not have a need to take anothers life to keep their own, but in reality just "cheat" to make their social status higher. So in reality, I am not that worried about White collar crime. While it does suck if it affects you, at least you are not dead.