Brown: Criminology, 8th Edition


Case Studies

5. Rational Choice Theories of Crime

The following announcement appeared in the Cullowhee Daily News every week beginning on the first of December.

Drunk driving has always been a concern for law enforcement officials during the holiday season, particularly on New Year’s Eve. The Cullowhee Police Department has witnessed an increase in the number of people charged with DUI on New Year’s Eve over the past several years. As an attempt to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the road this year, the police department plans to set up road blocks on every major road within the city. These sobriety checkpoints will be in effect from 6 pm on December 31 until 6 am on January 1. All vehicles will be stopped to ensure sobriety. Any individual found to be operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or other drugs will be arrested and charged with the appropriate offense.

Questions

  1. Which theory can be used to explain this crime control effort?

    Correct Answer

    Deterrence

  2. Which function of punishment is emphasized with these sobriety checkpoints?

    Correct Answer

    Certainty is being emphasized by stating that all vehicles will be stopped and all main roads will have checkpoints.

  3. Which type of deterrence is being achieved, general or specific?

    Correct Answer

    General deterrence – by advertising to the public that these checkpoints will be in use, the police are using threats of punishment to deter drunk driving.

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