Lenient sanctions of powerful wrongdoers draw outcry as whitewash

Evidence

The term deferred prosecution puts a linguistic mask on the nature of the practice. It suggests that the criminal trial has been put off to a later date. In practice, it essentially says “We will let you off this time with a fine and a promise to reform, but change your ways and don’t do it again.” The Michigan law professor David Uhlmann (2013) argues that this type of settlement should be limited to first-time wrongdoers whose violations are not too severe. In cases of serious violations, he contends, “They should be prosecuted, not be allowed to buy their way out of criminal liability” (Uhlmann, 2013). — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 1570 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Sanctions designed for worst-case agents alienate the majority who comply voluntarily — Philip Pettit, Republicanism: A Theory of Freedom and…, 1279; Blasphemy-style reforms enable spurious prosecutions and personal vendettas; Sanctions against non-deference are usually signaled rather than executed — Michael Lipsky, Street-Level Bureaucracy: Dilemmas of…, 483 (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Euphemistic labeling masks that deferred prosecutions let wrongdoers buy their way out #expands (0.92) — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 1570