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Criminal Theory

Here we tries to identify and describe the various choice theories and how they relate to crime. It is essential to identify the various choice theories and how they contribute to an in depth understanding of how crimes are being perceived by the society and the criminal justice system. Thus, an individual has the free will to decide whether to commit a crime or refrain from it in given situations. The ultimate choice of indulging in crimes rests on the individual himself.

Choice theories can generally be categorized into rational choice theory, the routine activities theory and the life style theory. All these choice theories underline the fact that people are more inclined to commit crimes when right opportunities arise and there is nothing to deter or de-motivate them from such choices. The rational choice theory was developed and propagated by Ronald Clarke and Derek Cornish. Thus, the rational choice theorists argue that offenders commit planned crimes where they decide whom to target and in what way to operate their criminal activities. The theory has great significance in the criminal justice system. It is imperative that there are powerful provisions of punishment and deterrence in the criminal justice system to put an end to rational choice crimes. From a rational choice perspective the decisions of the offenders regarding the crime are quite purposive, intentional and deliberative.

On the other hand, the offender would always try to get rid of the negative consequences of the crime which include arrest, punishment and imprisonment. However, rational choice theory does not focus very much on the background factors that are involved in the making of crimes. On the other hand, rational choice theory stresses on the need to implement situational crime prevention whereby such situations that would promote offenses could be brought under control.

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