Criminal Offenders Self-Interest

289 Words2 Pages
The idea that all criminal offenders are rational and acting in the pursuit of their own self-interest is not indicative of all criminals. Firstly a major flaw in this mindset is that it assumes all criminal acts are well thought out and are committed after weighing the benefits of the crime against the possible punishments if they are caught at some point. Not all, or even most, crimes fit into this category of planned and decided action. Many crimes are committed in a very irrational manner with no forethought or planning. These crimes, often referred to as crimes of passion, are committed by people who are unable or unwilling to pause for reflection and are acting without any self-control. Their emotions are sending them such powerful signals