Delinquents on the course and outcome of criminal procedure

Abstract

This article discusses influence of socio-economic status of juvenile delinquents on the course and outcome of criminal procedure. Sociological theories are congruent respecting existence of this disparity, but non to the nature of their sources. Reported results of earlier as well as contemporary research studies empirically vindicate conception that socio-economic status could have an impact on frequency and severity of the punishment. Criminal procedure which includes juvenile delinquents of different socio-economic status was analyzed using data obtained by Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia. Differences in prosecution suggest that juvenile delinquents with low socio-economic status are far more disadvantaged than those with higher socio-economic status.

Predmet rada je ispitivanje uticaja socioekonomskog statusa delinkvenata na tok i ishod krivičnog postupka. Sociološke teorije su sa­glasne u pogledu postojanja ovakvog dispariteta, ali ne i pogledu njegovih izvorišta. Navedeni rezultati ranijih i savremenih istraživanja daju empirijsku potvrdu ideji da socioekonomski status može uticati na učestalost i težinu kažnjavanja. Na osnovu podataka Republičkog zavoda za statistiku analiziran je postupak prema maloletnim delinkventima različitog socioekonomskog statusa. Ustanovljene razlike u procesuiranju sugerišu da su maloletni delinkventi nižeg socioekonomskog statusa u nepovoljnijem položaju u odnosu na druge.