White collar crime more serious than street crime

According to a US study published in the Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, the general public perceives certain types of white-collar crimes as very serious and some (e.g., Ponzi schemes) as more serious than some street crimes. Ponzi and embezzlement schemes were viewed as more serious compared to burglary, auto theft, and prostitution.  Public perceptions indicated that white-collar offenders would likely be viewed as more remorseful and more driven by greed compared to street criminals.

The authors conclude that 'this finding raises interesting questions about perceptions of why people engage in crime and may indicate distinct differences between perceptions of greed and need—an area ripe for further investigation'.