I need help defining and describing edwin sutherlands distinct elements of white collar crime. All I have so far is that the two elements are the social status of the offender -And the occupational mechanism by which the offense is committed. Im having a time describing them
This article may help you.
http://cooley.libarts.wsu.edu/criminology/documents/braithwaite.pdf
thank you so much!!
You are very welcome.
Sure! Edwin Sutherland, a renowned criminologist, introduced the concept of white-collar crime in the 1940s. He argued that white-collar crime is different from traditional forms of crime, as it is typically committed by individuals of high social status within their occupational roles. Sutherland identified two distinct elements of white-collar crime: the social status of the offender and the occupational mechanism used to commit the offense.
1. Social status of the offender: This element focuses on the elevated social position held by the offender within society. White-collar criminals are often individuals who occupy influential positions in the business, professional, or political realms. They may be executives, managers, professionals, or public officials who have access to considerable resources, power, and authority.
When describing this element, it is important to highlight that these individuals use their social status to engage in illegal activities that result in financial gain, status enhancement, or both. Emphasize that their privileged positions enable them to exploit loopholes, manipulate systems, or bypass regulations that may not be readily available to individuals with lower social status.
2. Occupational mechanism of the offense: This element focuses on the way in which the crime is committed, specifically through the offender's occupation or professional role. White-collar criminals often exploit their positions and the knowledge, skills, and resources related to their profession to engage in illegal or unethical activities.
When describing this element, it is essential to provide examples of different types of white-collar crimes to illustrate the occupational mechanisms employed. For instance, fraudulent accounting practices, insider trading, embezzlement, bribery, tax evasion, and corporate fraud are all examples of white-collar crimes that directly involve the misuse of occupational roles and resources.
To summarize, when discussing Edwin Sutherland's distinct elements of white-collar crime, make sure to emphasize the social status of the offender, their privileged position within society, and how they utilize their occupational mechanisms to carry out illegal or unethical activities.