Defiance, Deterrence, and Irrelevance: A Theory of the Criminal Sanction
Abstract
Increasing evidence shows great diversity in the effects of the criminal sanction. Legal punishment either reduces, increases, or has no effect on future crimes, depending on the type of offenders, offenses, social settings, and levels of analysis. A theory of “defiance” helps explain the conditions under which punishment increases crime. Procedural justice (fairness or legitimacy) of experienced punishment is essential for the acknowledgment of shame, which conditions deterrence; punishment perceived as unjust can lead to unacknowledged shame and defiant pride that increases future crime. Both “specific” defiance by individuals and “general” defiance by collectivities results from punishment perceived as unfair or excessive, unless deterrent effects counterbalance defiance and render the net effect of sanctions irrelevant. By implication, crime might be reduced more by police and courts treating all citizens with fairness and respect than by increasing punishments. A variety of research designs can be used to test, refine, or reject the theory.
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Aggressive policing can leave citizens feeling humiliated, violated, or even victimized.
“aggressive policing can leave citizens feeling humiliated, violated, or even victimized (e.g., Brunson, 2007;Duneier, 1999; see also Sherman, 1993).”
From Procedural Justice and Order Maintenance Policing: A Study of Inner‐City Young Men’s Perceptions of Police Legitimacy (2010) · cites this paper as Sherman, 1993
Many youths processed in the adult system may perceive unfair treatment and become alienated, which predisposes them to recidivate.
“It is conceivable that many youths processed in the adult system perceive unfair treatment and become alienated, which predisposes them to recidivate (see Sherman, 1993).”
From The Recidivism of Violent Youths in Juvenile and Adult Court: A Consideration of Selection Bias (2003) · cites this paper as Sherman, 1993
Failure to adhere to principles of procedural justice can reduce public support for police and, in the long run, may even increase crime.
“Failure to adhere to principles of procedural justice can reduce public support for police and, in the long run, may even increase crime (Bouffard & Piquero, in press;Paternoster et al., 1997;Sherman, 1993; see also Braithwaite, 1989;Hay, 2001).”
From Procedural Justice and Order Maintenance Policing: A Study of Inner‐City Young Men’s Perceptions of Police Legitimacy (2010) · cites this paper as Sherman, 1993
Other scholars have reported no effect or mixed results of justice system contact on subsequent behavior.
“Other scholars, however, still have reported no effect of justice system contact on subsequent behavior or have reported mixed results (see, e.g., Morris & Piquero, 2013; Pratt, Cullen, Blevins, Daigle, & Madensen, 2006; Sherman, 1993).”
From Does contact with the justice system deter or promote future delinquency? Results from a longitudinal study of British adolescent twins (2020) · cites this paper as Sherman, 1993
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“…becomes: past experiences, vicarious experiences and collective memories Binstruct^ the offender to reevaluate the motivation to commit an offense when a capable guardian such as a police officer is present (see discussion in Apel and Nagin 2014; Devos 2014; Kleck 2014; Sherman 1993, pp. 468–9).”
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- Authors
- SHERMAN, L. W.
- Corresponding author
- SHERMAN, LAWRENCE W.
- ORCID
- SHERMAN, LAWRENCE W.
- Venue
- Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 1993-11
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 445-473
- ISSN
- 0022-4278 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-731X
- OpenAlex
- W2156716330
- Cited by
- 1,133
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 34 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 44 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 52 · 2021: 42 · 2020: 39 · 2019: 88 · 2018: 57 · 2017: 48 · 2016: 51 · 2015: 54 · 2014: 38 · 2013: 53 · 2012: 57
- FWCI
- 135.71
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Law › Criminal Justice and Penology
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
- Keywords
- criminal sanctions, deterrence, defiance, procedural justice, shame, recidivism, legitimacy of punishment
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