Crime (Expressive) and the Law

Abstract

Expressive crime contrasts with instrumental crime in that delinquents aim to “make a statement”, and not to “make a living”. This difference in motivation has important consequences for the deterrent effect of policies. Whereas policies aiming at expected material costs of perpetrators have often proven successful in deterring instrumental crime, they may fail to deter delinquents with expressive motivations. In some cases, perpetrators may even feel defied to increase their activity.