Why do people commit crimes?

From misdemeanors to violent felonies, some

individuals step in to the criminal justice system and learn their lesson to
never commit a crime again. Others unfortunately become repeat offenders
with a never ending rap sheet. Environment obviously plays a huge role but it
is only one of many factors. The study of crime and why some people can’t
get away from it while others never have even a speeding ticket has been
dissected for decades.

Particularly, the study of criminology targets why individuals commit crimes

and why they behave in certain situations. By understanding why a person
commits a crime, one can develop ways to control crime or rehabilitate the
criminal. There are many theories in criminology. Some attribute crime to the
individual; they believe that an individual weighs the pros and cons and makes
a conscious choice whether or not to commit a crime. Others believe it is the
community’s responsibility to ensure that their citizens do not commit crime
by offering them a safe and secure place in which to live. Some argue that
some individuals have specific traits that will determine how they will react
when put in certain negative conditions. Although varied in thought, everyone
can agree that justice needs to be secured in a civilized society.

Still others believe that individuals commit crimes because they are unable to achieve success in life
through legal means. Ultimately, the reason that people commit crimes is likely a combination of many
different theories and is highly dependent on the individual situation and characteristics of a particular
criminal.

 Rational choice theory: People generally act in their self-interest and make
decisions to commit crime after weighing the potential risks (including getting
caught and punished) against the rewards. Labeling theory: People in power decide
what acts are crimes, and the act of labeling someone a criminal is what makes him a
criminal. Once a person is labeled a criminal, society takes away his opportunities, which
may ultimately lead to more criminal behavior. Strain theory: Most people have similar
aspirations, but they don’t all have the same opportunities or abilities. When people fail
to achieve society’s expectations through approved means such as hard work and delayed
gratification, they may attempt to achieve success through crime.