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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
Publisher
David J. Miller
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