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146
collar criminals often are not violent, less expensive, low-security alternative should be explored to keep offenders away from new victims.425
Some people rely on the knowledge that in many states there is the existence of a “three strikes law.” However, in most instances, these laws only pertain to violent crimes or those that have caused physical harm. Therefore, following conviction and punishment, a viper may continue to perpetrate hoaxes with not end in sight since three strikes laws will apply in most cases, such as California. 426
A fifth concern in prosecuting hoaxes is public perception of systemic issues including plea bargains. There is
common criticism by both victims and police officers who see cases being dismissed “in the interest of justice,” or for lack of evidence. Many of these cases would be tried, except for “political considerations” (for example concern by the prosecutor’s office of not maintaining a high percentage of convictions for the electorate). In the eyes of the public, these reasons can be easily abused in favor of the criminal.427
In some cases, public sentiment yields in favor of the hoaxer, giving the viper an excuse for his or her behavior. Unfortunately, government, especially elected officials, may take their cue from the public and mitigate punishment for the viper. The phenomenon, as discussed previously, simply allows criminals leeway in succeeding at their crimes.
By furthering the concept of mitigation, the system becomes challenged by the “sentencer’s dilemma.”428
Tolerance for behavior that is different from the norm is often manifested in some form of corruption. By tolerating corruption as a way of doing business, the American public sanctions just “a little dishonesty.” Because of these
425 Ibid.
426 Ibid.
427 Denny F. Pace, Community Relations Concepts (4th Edition), Wadsworth/Thompson Learning, Belmont California, 2003.
428 Sentencer’s dilemma discussed above on page 136.
Object Description
| Title | An argument for the criminal hoax |
| Author | Pellegrini, Laura A. |
| Author email | user1963@yahoo.com; teachpolsci@yahoo.com |
| Degree | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Document type | Dissertation |
| Degree program | Political Science |
| School | College of Letters, Arts and Sciences |
| Date defended/completed | 2008-08-20 |
| Date submitted | 2008 |
| Restricted until | Unrestricted |
| Date published | 2008-10-13 |
| Advisor (committee chair) | Renteln, Alison Dundes |
| Advisor (committee member) |
Wong, Janelle S. Newland, Chester A. |
| Abstract | Hoaxes are part of the fabric of history. While many provide humor and lighthearted joy, the criminal hoax does not. To date, researchers have included aspects of the criminal hoax in larger academic works. This is an original typology that sets forth the criminal hoax as a distinct part of the larger field of law and public policy. This work provides newly created definitions including four distinct categories of hoaxes: the monetary hoax, the attention getter hoax, the hate crime hoax and the racial hoax. It further illustrates these types with actual detailed accounts of hoaxes and provides insights to each one. It makes policy recommendations concerning the four categories of needs: 1. legislative action, 2. a nationwide statistical database of hoax events, 3. media involvement, and 4. law enforcement training and action to deal with criminal hoaxes. Finally, it recommends further research to identify the causes and motivations of vipers. The ultimate goal of this project is to find ways to eliminate criminal hoaxes. |
| Keyword | criminal hoax; hoax categories |
| Language | English |
| Part of collection | University of Southern California dissertations and theses |
| Publisher (of the original version) | University of Southern California |
| Place of publication (of the original version) | Los Angeles, California |
| Publisher (of the digital version) | University of Southern California. Libraries |
| Provenance | Electronically uploaded by the author |
| Type | texts |
| Legacy record ID | usctheses-m1659 |
| Contributing entity | University of Southern California |
| Rights | Pellegrini, Laura A. |
| Repository name | Libraries, University of Southern California |
| Repository address | Los Angeles, California |
| Repository email | cisadmin@lib.usc.edu |
| Filename | etd-Pellegrini-2397 |
| Archival file | uscthesesreloadpub_Volume26/etd-Pellegrini-2397.pdf |
Description
| Title | Page 152 |
| Contributing entity | University of Southern California |
| Repository email | cisadmin@lib.usc.edu |
| Full text | 146 collar criminals often are not violent, less expensive, low-security alternative should be explored to keep offenders away from new victims.425 Some people rely on the knowledge that in many states there is the existence of a “three strikes law.” However, in most instances, these laws only pertain to violent crimes or those that have caused physical harm. Therefore, following conviction and punishment, a viper may continue to perpetrate hoaxes with not end in sight since three strikes laws will apply in most cases, such as California. 426 A fifth concern in prosecuting hoaxes is public perception of systemic issues including plea bargains. There is common criticism by both victims and police officers who see cases being dismissed “in the interest of justice,” or for lack of evidence. Many of these cases would be tried, except for “political considerations” (for example concern by the prosecutor’s office of not maintaining a high percentage of convictions for the electorate). In the eyes of the public, these reasons can be easily abused in favor of the criminal.427 In some cases, public sentiment yields in favor of the hoaxer, giving the viper an excuse for his or her behavior. Unfortunately, government, especially elected officials, may take their cue from the public and mitigate punishment for the viper. The phenomenon, as discussed previously, simply allows criminals leeway in succeeding at their crimes. By furthering the concept of mitigation, the system becomes challenged by the “sentencer’s dilemma.”428 Tolerance for behavior that is different from the norm is often manifested in some form of corruption. By tolerating corruption as a way of doing business, the American public sanctions just “a little dishonesty.” Because of these 425 Ibid. 426 Ibid. 427 Denny F. Pace, Community Relations Concepts (4th Edition), Wadsworth/Thompson Learning, Belmont California, 2003. 428 Sentencer’s dilemma discussed above on page 136. |
