Excuses and Justifications for Intermittent Patterns of Offending

• In Event: Criminological Theory and Criminal Decision Making

Abstract

Decades ago Sykes and Matza (1957) identified techniques of neutralization that offenders may utilize to justify their participation in criminal behavior. Using data collected through in-depth interviews with formerly incarcerated men, this study examines the excuses and justifications used to explain intermittency in offending.

Authors

• Rashaan DeShay, California State University, Stanislaus

• Lynne Vieraitis, University of Texas at Dallas