Broken Lives From Broken Windows: The Hidden Costs of Aggressive Order-Maintenance Policing

摘要: In this article I demonstrate that the aggressive policing of misdemeanor and lesser offenses results in a number consequences may ultimately be criminogenic. These effects can roughly broken down into two categories: economic burdens legitimacy costs. conclude while impact minor on crime rates requires more study, costs associated with order via criminal justice system are so great immediate steps must taken to reduce them.Recently, scholars field have grappled three major developments significantly changed landscape system. (1) increased social disorder based Broken Windows theory, (2) insights psychology area procedural justice, (3) expansion civil collateral convictions. This paper explores interplay between these developments. sphere, theory – correcting visible signs will serious has given rise order-maintenance strategies many jurisdictions. Such drawn millions individuals for offenses. Social psychologists contemporaneously produced compelling evidence perceptions judgments about “procedural justice” fundamental fairness process greater willingness comply authority than favorable outcomes (e.g., light sentences or even dismissal case). Finally, scholars, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys written concern *272 often outweigh outlast underlying convictions.This examines Using New York City as case assess panoply both consequences. reach conclusions. First, likely exerts criminogenic pressure targets neighborhoods from which they come. Second, unintended undesirable mitigated eliminated without abandoning commitment maintenance.