Reasons for Petty Crime
Petty crimes are misdemeanor infractions such as shoplifting and minor cases of public disturbance. Some petty crimes are influenced by monetary gain. Other petty crimes have deeper influences such as psychological and social conditions.
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Monetary Motivation
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Petty crimes such as theft provide a monetary benefit to the criminal. Rather than seeking employment, some pickpockets make theft into a profession. Similarly, in the case of shoplifting, the shoplifter is often motivated by a material desire for an item that is unaffordable.
Psychological Reasons
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There are psychological conditions that lead to petty crime. Kleptomania is a mental condition in which the individual feels an irresistible urge to steal trivially valued items. Studies have shown that many shoplifters get a sense of exhilaration from committing crimes. Many individuals who commit petty crime do so with a sense that they are above the law.
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Social Reasons
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There are social influences for petty crimes. Studies have shown that teenage shoplifters often commit the crime to project a deviant image. Petty crimes of public disturbance can likewise be motivated by an individual's desire to impress those around him. Petty crimes are often committed due to an individual feeling that society is indebted to him, thus he is justified in breaking laws.
Effects of Petty Crime
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Petty crimes lead to a lower standard of living for everyone. Shoplifting requires businesses to employ increased security measures, which leads to an increase in the cost of goods and services. For individuals caught committing petty crimes, the punishment includes fines, probation, and imprisonment for up to a year for repeat offenders.
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