This article is written by Michael Shriney from the Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology. This article talks about the types of blue-collar crimes, including the factors that affect them and the laws that control them, along with the distinction between blue and white-collar crimes.
This article has been published by Sneha Mahawar.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Blue-collar crimes are those which relate to violent activities such as murder, sexual assault, and armed robbery. It also involves nonviolent actions such as prostitution, unlawful gambling, and so on. They are generally simpler to identify. The real culprits are those who have been identified and observed by the public. Blue-collar crime is not a legal word, although it is frequently used to compare unlawful activity with white-collar crime. Blue-collar crimes are those that are more likely to be committed by individuals of lower economic classes in society.
In the current times, blue-collar crimes are those that are seen to be caused by passion, fury, or other emotions rather than those that are professionally planned and performed. Blue-collar crimes are those that cause bodily harm or property damage. Burglary, property crimes, theft crimes, sex crimes, assaults, and drug crimes are some few examples of the types of blue-collar crimes that can be committed. This article takes the readers through several types of blue-collar crimes, as well as the factors that affect them and the laws that govern them.
Blue-collar crimes
Blue-collar crimes refers to criminal activities that are more likely to be performed by people of lower socioeconomic classes in society, such as those that cause direct injury to another person or property of someone else. This is in contrast to white-collar crime, which is often done by members of higher socioeconomic classes who are more likely to be given the chance to commit such crimes. It is a type of informal classification with no legal force. It involves whatever offenses are most quickly accessible for a person to perform, those that are largely motivated by passion rather than those that take considerable thinking.
Blue-collar crimes involve crimes against the person, property crimes, and numerous types of criminal offences such as prostitution, gambling, and drug abuse. Blue-collar crimes are those that create immediate and highly visible harm to society, and as a result, they are typically punished far more quickly and harshly than white-collar crimes. Furthermore, people of lower socioeconomic classes cannot typically afford high-quality legal representation, therefore they face significantly harsher penalties than white-collar offenders. Individuals of higher socioeconomic classes are absolutely prepared to commit blue-collar crimes, and they do so on a regular basis. However, most of these crimes are done by lower economic groups, who have fewer intentions to commit white-collar crimes including bank fraud and money laundering, which is how these classifications came.
Categorisation of blue-collar crimes
The categorisation of blue-collar crimes. They are as follows:
Crimes against a person
Any crime done against an individual is considered as a crime against a person. Any crime committed against a person is, by definition, a crime against society. This is the fundamental concept behind penal legislation. Crime against a person may include violence or threat against other person, such as homicide, robbery, rape, causing grievous and severe injuries, and violent assaults, along with other things. It is a bodily harm or threat to a person or any other action done against a person’s will. These acts are carried out without the consent of the person against whom the offence is done or the victim of such offence.
Crimes against property
Burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft, burning, and other crimes against property entail the stealing of assets belonging to others. Housebreaking is the most common type of property crime. It is more commonly committed by those from the lower socioeconomic classes. It has frequently been seen that people working as domestic workers, waste pickers, street vendors, and so on are involved in the commission of any such crime. Crimes affecting another person’s ownership rights are crimes against property. It involves the stealing of property and money but does not contain a threat or use of force against the victim.
Victimless crime
This category includes criminal offences and violations of laws where there are no evident victims, a contradiction, such as prostitution, gambling, and drug misuse. It has frequently been seen that people from the lowest sections of society, owing to a lack of knowledge and awareness, engage in drug smuggling in search of better living conditions which becomes an unbreakable habit for them. Similarly, girls may be used for human trafficking and prostitution. This might be owing to their personal financial need or to any other compelling factor. It is an unlawful crime since there is no victim and no third party is harmed. Only the criminals or consenting adults are involved. It is sometimes referred to as crimes against the state that do not cause harm to society.
Juvenile delinquency
The word juvenile delinquency refers to the criminal behaviours carried out by minors. Various legal systems have specified certain processes to deal with minors engaged in illegal crimes, such as juvenile detention centres. There are a number of viewpoints on the causes of crime, most of which may be applied to the causes of youth crime. Youth criminality, which seems to be a form of crime, requires more public attention. It is also known as a violation of law by a child. It is unethical and illegal behaviour done by a person under the age of 18, i.e. a minor, rather than an adult.
Impact of blue-collar crimes
Blue-collar crime is a nuisance and a threat to a nation, society, or even a community, and it causes public discomfort and suffering among the general public. Crimes of this sort are done to gain something by paying or engaging in acts that are illegal under the law. Criminal activities are increasing on a daily basis, with the primary goal of scaring people or discouraging social activities, establishing terror in society or destroying peaceful lives. The violent character of a person might be related to the family, region, or religion to which he belongs, giving rise to the violent character. The media also plays a significant influence in the development of violence among people. The financial and emotional costs of crime in society are usually high. When a crime is committed, it affects not just the sufferers but also those who are not directly affected, causing a state of tension and anxiety among the society as a whole.
Causes of blue-cross crimes
In criminology, blue-collar crimes refer to any crime committed by people of the lowest social classes. These are simple to detect, yet people are more frightened of them. Blue-collar crimes are much more sensational, putting additional pressure on police as a result of public fear. The following are some of the factors that lead to blue-collar crimes:
Lack of education
The goal of education is not just to educate individuals, but also to build the ethical and moral skills required for a nation’s growth. Education is a system that aims to develop moral values in people. Due to a lack of education, individuals may be unable to distinguish between morality and unethically wrong acts. The relationship between education and crime, on the other hand, maybe more difficult, since it is mostly determined by how education changes the different possibilities provided to offenders in various illegal enterprises. Offenders who commit property crimes are more likely to start at a young age, due to the fact that lack of schooling and lawful training are not barriers to such activities, and youth have legal employment options, although the pay for their job is generally very low.
Lack of social awareness
There are many persons who are not educated in the usual view but are educated enough to avoid engaging in such unethical behaviour. An unlawful behaviour might also be the result of a lack of social awareness. Moral education is impossible to implement in a culture that is given to the people. People in rural areas are uneducated, and there is a lack of awareness camps in such areas as compared to other divisions. They are the majority of those who commit blue-collar crimes. because they are underpaid in comparison to city incomes Because of a lack of awareness and knowledge, especially education, slum regions in cities are becoming increasingly attractive to blue-collar crimes.
Lack of employment
Employment is an unavoidable requirement for a person’s existence. Due to a lack of job, an individual may become irritated and engage in unethical behaviour. The main reason is to remind people to fulfill their daily responsibilities. Because of the unsustainable population problem, it is impossible to employ everyone, and the majority of people stay unemployed. Unemployment may be a trigger for blue-collar crimes as unemployment and crime have an extremely close relationship. Blue-collar crimes are mainly committed by young males from poor backgrounds in order to meet their basic needs and also due to a lack of employment.
Lack of basic amenities
Food, housing, hygiene, education, and other basic necessities are essential for a person’s well-being, and a lack of these amenities may psychologically influence the occurrence of blue-collar crimes. They may not be the direct causes of blue-collar crimes, but they are the most common secondary causes. It is critical that people receive the services they require at the lowest possible cost. Currently, cities have become a place to live for billions of people, which adds up to more than half of the world’s population. One-third of them live in slums. In the developing world, the majority of people live in temporary shelters. They face a number of difficulties, including a lack of proper shelter, food, education, health care, and other basic requirements.
Deprivation of executive initiatives
This is the duty and responsibility of the particular government and public administration to investigate and address citizens’ concerns, as well as to organise measures that are required for the development of society’s poor. Lack of development efforts and programmes may be an indirect cause of the initiation of blue-collar crimes.
What are the legal penalties for a blue-collar crimes
Misdemeanors are the most common type of blue-collar crimes. In simple terms, these offences are not as terrible as other types of crimes such as murder or drug trafficking. Misdemeanor offences are punishable by a criminal fine and a brief period of imprisonment, usually ranging from a few days to less than a year. Fines for criminal offences are usually set at $1,000, however this varies from state to state. Some blue-collar crimes, on the other hand, might result in serious criminal charges. Repeat offenders, the employment of a dangerous weapon in the commission of the crime, and/or crimes that result in serious physical damage to the victim are examples. It’s important to remember that the seriousness of the penalties for criminal misdemeanor charges might vary depending on the type of offence.
Drug trafficking under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985
The following are some of the laws that apply to drug trafficking offences committed by blue-collar criminals under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS):
Except for medicinal and scientific uses and as permitted by the government, this legislation prohibits the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, export, and import of all narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. If a person is caught distributing narcotics for the second time, the statute provides for severe punishment, including the death penalty. The act also allows for the imprisonment of anyone in restricted areas as highly vulnerable for more than two years.
- Cultivation of opium, cannabis, or coca plants without a license is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years and a fine of up to one lakh rupees under Sections 16 (Coca), 18(c) (Opium), and 20 (Cannabis).
- Sections 17, 18, 20, 21, 22 dealt with the production, manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transport, import inter-state, export inter-state, or use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, which are punishable by a rigorous imprisonment of up to 6 months or a fine of up to Rs. 10,000, or both for a small quantity.
A quantity greater than a small quantity but less than a commercial quantity, punished by rigorous imprisonment up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to one lakh rupees.
Commercial quantity is punished by imprisonment for 10 to 20 years and a fine of Rs. 1 to 2 lakhs.
- Section 23 deals with the import, export, or transhipment of narcotic narcotics and psychotropic substances, which are punishable by a rigorous imprisonment of up to 6 months or a fine of up to Rs. 10,000, or both for a small quantity.
A quantity greater than a small quantity but less than a commercial quantity, is punished by rigorous imprisonment up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to one lakh rupees.
Commercial quantity is punished by imprisonment for 10 to 20 years and a fine of Rs. 1 to 2 lakhs.
- Section 24 deals with external dealings in NDPS, that is, engaging in or managing a trade in which narcotics are purchased from outside India and given to a person outside India, which is punished by a 10 to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 1 to 2 lakhs (Regardless of the quantity)
- Section 27 deals with the consumption of narcotics such as cocaine, morphine, and heroin, which is punished by imprisonment for up to a year or a fine of up to Rs. 20,000, or both.
Consumption of other drugs is punished by imprisonment for up to six months or a fine of up to Rs. 10,000, or both.
Laws under the Indian Penal Code,1860
The following are some of the provisions under the Indian Penal Code,1860 that penalise crimes committed by blue-collar criminal activities:
Kidnapping
When a person engages in the kidnapping of another person or a person from their legal guardian, they are penalised for a term of imprisonment which may extend to seven years as well as a fine under Section 363 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Robbery
When a person engages in robbery, he or she is punished with harsh imprisonment for a term that can extend to ten years, as well as a fine and also, if the robbery occurs on the highway between sunrise and sunset, the imprisonment will be increased to 14 years under Section 392 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Under Section 393 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, attempted robbery was punished by imprisonment for a term up to seven years, plus a fine.
Rape
Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, states that rape is punished by imprisonment for a period of not less than ten years, with the possibility of life imprisonment, as well as a fine.
Assault
Assault is punished by imprisonment for a period of three months and a fine of up to 500 rupees under Section 392 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Dacoity
Section 395 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, dealt with the punishment for dacoity, which was punished by imprisonment for a term of up to ten years and a fine.
Murder
Section 302 deals with murder punishment; anybody who commits murder is punishable by life imprisonment or death, as well as a fine.
Human trafficking
Section 370 deals with buying or disposing of any person as a slave, which is defined as whoever imports, exports, removes, buys, sells, or disposes of any person as a slave or accepts, receives, or detains any person against their will, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term that may extend to 7 years, as well as a fine.
Prostitution
Sections 372 and 373 deal with the buying and selling of minors for the purpose of prostitution. Whoever sells, hires, or disposes of a minor under the age of 18 with the goal of employing her in prostitution and forcing her to have an illegal intercourse with any male person is punished by imprisonment for up to ten years and a fine.
Deadly weapons
Section 144 deals with whoever is armed with a deadly weapon able to cause death and is a part of an unlawful assembly, which is punished by up to two years in prison, a fine, or both.
Hit and run
Sections 279, 304A, and 338 deal with penalties for hit-and-run accidents.
- Section 279 deals with rash driving; any person who drives a vehicle rashly on a public road negligently enough to endanger human life or cause harm is punished by up to 6 months in jail or a fine of up to 1000 rupees, or both.
- Section 304A states that anybody who causes the death of a person through a rash or careless act is punished by up to two years in prison or a fine, or both. For example, a drunken man driving a car rashly and causing an accident that results in death is penalised under this Section.
- Section 338 makes it a crime to cause serious harm to others by threatening their lives or personal safety is punished by up to two years in prison or a fine, or both.
Battery
- Section 350 dealt with the intentional use of force by one person against another, i.e. criminal force. For example, poisoning someone’s drink.
- Section 352 deals with the punishment for battery, which is punished by three months in jail or a fine of Rs. 500, or both.
Difference between blue-collar and white-collar crimes
| Subjects | Blue-collar crimes | White-collar crimes |
| Class of people | People from a lower social class commit blue-collar crimes. | People from the upper social class commit white-collar crimes. |
| Identification of crimes | Blue-collar crimes are easy for the general public to understand, detect, and witness. | While-collar crimes are difficult to understand by the public. |
Punishments | For most blue-collar crimes, the punishment is either jail time or probation. | For most white-collar crimes, the punishment is paying a fine. |
Types of workers | Blue-collar crimes are called after the lower-class blue-collar workers who commit them. | White-collar crimes are called after white-collar workers from a higher social class, such as doctors and lawyers. |
| Physical involvement | They physically harm or injure the victims or their property. | They do not physically harm or injure the victims or their property. |
| Threat or violence | They use threats or violence to get whatever they want from people. | They don’t use threats or violence, instead rely on fraud and misrepresentation. |
| Comparison | It is much more serious than white-collar criminality. | It isn’t much worse when compared to white-collar crime. |
| Penal procedures | It’s easily penalised, and it’s easy to prove. | Punishment and proof are difficult to achieve. |
Examples | Blue-collar crimes include crimes like armed robbery, sexual assault, burglary, and drug misuse. | While-collar crimes include crimes like wage theft, misappropriation, copyright infringement, and identity theft. |
Motive | They are dramatic and emotional as they have grudges against certain people. | Their goal is to make money. |
Difference between blue-collar and green-collar crimes
| Subjects | Blue-collar crimes | Green-collar crimes |
| Meaning | Blue-collar crimes are those committed against humans. | Green-collar crimes are those perpetrated against the environment and animals. |
| Nature | This crime is committed against humans or their resources. | This is a crime against nature and the earth’s resources. |
| Intention | This crime is performed with the aim to damage or injure others. | This crime is committed with the intention of causing harm to nature and the environment. |
| Commission of crime | This crime is committed for revenge or psychological gain. | This crime is committed for personal gain. |
| Classes of people | This type of crime is committed by persons from lower socioeconomic classes. | This type of crime is committed by persons of all socioeconomic classes. |
| Punishments | The punishment for blue-collar crimes is the severe of any type. | Green-collar crimes are severely punished, but not as harshly as blue-collar crimes. |
| Examples | Blue-collar crimes include crimes like theft, robbery, shoplifting etc. | Green-collar crimes include crimes like deforestation, killing of fish, pollution and illegal logging. |
Recommendations for curbing blue-collar crimes
- Criminals are more prone to conduct crimes that are swift and personal in nature, such as stealing. Blue-collar criminals face harsh penalties such as jail sentences or a fine.
- It involves physical labour, such as digging or performing manual labour with one’s hands.
- All lower-income persons should receive an education so that they can get government positions that will allow them to meet their fundamental needs.
- Encouraging schools and colleges to perform social awareness programmes in order to properly develop students’ character.
- The government or a non-governmental organisation must execute certain efforts to supply basic necessities as well as good employment opportunities.
Conclusion
Blue-collar crimes are defined as crimes done by persons from lower social levels. The type of crime committed by an individual is determined by the opportunities available to him. White-collar employees, on the other hand, are usually well paid as they engage in specialised and highly trained positions where they do not need to perform physical labour such as digging or doing manual labour with their hands. Generally, every crime committed against a person is a crime committed against society, and that’s the foundation on which the penal system functions. The term ‘blue-collar’ is commonly used to describe tasks that offer a significant degree of physical labour. This word is most commonly used to describe jobs with low pay and low skill levels. however, does not apply to every blue-collar crimes. In crimes like assault, robbery, and murder, the criminal approaches the victim immediately. Physical force is more commonly used in blue-collar crimes, but in the corporate sector, victim identification is less clear and reporting is difficult by a mentality of corporate secrecy to safeguard shareholder value.
Blue-collar workers are not required to do the same duties as white-collar workers. Blue-collar workers are more likely to commit crimes that are quick and personal in character, such as robbery, sexual assault, prostitution, and drug abuse, rather than carefully planned crimes. It is sometimes referred to as street crimes since these crimes involve bodily injury or attack, the threat of bodily harm, or other actions taken against the victim’s will.
References
- http://epgp.inflibnet.ac.in/epgpdata/uploads/epgp_content/S000016FS/P000689/M011381/ET/1453176380FSC_P2_M10_e-text.pdf
- https://www.upcounsel.com/lectl-blue-collar-crime
- http://www.criminallawfirmmarietta.com/Criminal-Defense-Blog/2018/April/Difference-Between-Blue-Collar-and-White-Collar-.aspx
- https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/what-is-blue-collar-crime.html
- https://dor.gov.in/narcoticdrugspsychotropic/punishment-offences
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