Privileged vs. Unprivileged Crime: The Disparity in Justice

Abstract

Instructor’s Name Social class and crime are common assumptions in America, and the poor are believed to be more perpetrators of crime than the wealthy. According to (Sampson et al., 2020), criminologists believe that socioeconomic conditions and inequality determine crime levels in particular societies. This emanates the existence of privileged and unprivileged crime. Privileged crime defines the special treatment of the wealthy in criminal activities. In contrast, unprivileged crime entails severe punishment of the poor and vulnerable who do not have power and influence in society. Crimes committed by the underprivileged are detested and severely punished while the wealthy and powerful go unpunished, which remains an eminent problem in society. An example of privilege crimes is the legal professional privilege in the criminal justice system. White-collar crime is very costly to the United States government, and billions of dollars are lost annually. Hardships are common for all groups in society. However, race ad class inequalities define Privileged and unprivileged crime based on cultural, social, and economic factors in society. The concept of race and discrimination significantly influence these crimes. The police and civilian engagement with the whites are fairer than the blacks. Whites can negotiate with police and evade crimes, while the black working class and the poor face the wrath of justice. A criminal justice system is a major tool that manifests the existence of privileged and unprivileged crime. Racism and poverty are models of oppression in the United States, and African Americans suffer poverty at rates twice the national average. The poor are less likely to be aware of the criminal justice system; the privileged hire attorneys, establish positive relationships, and follow the attorney's advice. The attorney-client relationship favors the privileged criminal courts denying justice to the poor and working-class blacks. According to (Claire, 2020), for the unprivileged, a relationship with a lawyer often results in coercion, silencing, and punishment, while the privileged relationship results in leniency, ease of navigation, and reward. In cases of convictions, the poor remain caged in dilapidated conditions while the privileged are accorded special treatment despite the heinous crimes they commit. Unfortunately, prisons and jails for the privileged remain home where they pay to live first-class lives, an unfortunate situation for victims who think justice was served for them. After incarceration, the unprivileged face alienation in a highly policed society where they are treated with impunity while the privileged are treated with respect. Criminal perpetrators come from all walks of life, but punishment is administered differently. Judges and juries on probation and parole tend to lean on the privileged in society. The rich enjoy the privilege of crime, while the poor are sent to prison. Society expects the criminal justice system to act in fairness and equality, yet they do not make independent...