“WHITE COLLAR CRIME” IS A EUPHEMISM TO ABANDON

Authors

Anthony J. Meyer, University of Missouri School of Law

Files

Description

Although the phrase “white collar crime” is ubiquitous among lawyers, it is a euphemism that creates an arbitrary distinction among crimes and perpetuates an upper-class bias for certain types of criminal conduct while simultaneously denigrating others. The phrase further performs a problematic social signaling function, including by expressly invoking “whiteness.” On balance, the phrase should be abandoned and replaced with one that either creates a meaningful distinction or leads to more inclusiveness in the legal practice.

Publication Date

Spring 2024

Document Type

Article

Keywords

White Collar Crime, Social Class, Economic Class, Legal Bias, Privilege

Disciplines

Criminal Law | Law | Legal History

Recommended Citation

Meyer, Anthony J., "“WHITE COLLAR CRIME” IS A EUPHEMISM TO ABANDON" (2024). SLU Law Journal Online. 127.
https://scholarship.law.slu.edu/lawjournalonline/127