Painting a More Accurate Picture of U.S. Crime
It is an unfortunate truth that crime will always exist. There are people who prefer the “get rich quick scheme” or feel that if they can get away with it, then why not commit the crime? This leads to a fairly decent amount of crime being committed throughout each year.
But exactly how much crime does exist?
Nationwide Crime
It is hard to give an exact number on crime across the nation. That is because the system that has been in place for decades has a few gaps in data that lead it to be a bit misleading and inaccurate.
The system is broken down into two authorities, the FBI and the U.S. Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics. The FBI issues an annual report on crime statistics that are voluntarily submitted by police departments, while the Bureau of Justice Statistics publishes a yearly report that is based on interviews with Americans on whether they have been crime victims in the previous year.
It is clear to see how the two reports tend to differ greatly in their numbers, mostly because a large number of crimes are not reported to police.
This is why an expert panel organized by the National Academy of Sciences has called for centralizing the control of collecting crime statistics. As part of an overhaul for the nation’s crime-data collection system, the panel aims to fill gaps in the statistics like those that exist with data theft and environmental crime.
The panel pointed out other gaps like the fact that the system now does not reflect crimes related to the production, sale and possession of narcotics. They also noted that the crime data gets shared in an untimely manner, making it difficult to address important concerns that may rise from the shared data.
Again crime always exists, and getting a more accurate picture of it can help in realizing the dangers that exist today.
Contact a New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorney
As someone who may be facing criminal charges, you do not want to become just another statistic. It is paramount for your livelihood to contact a criminal defense attorney if you are facing criminal charges.
In New Jersey, John W. Tumelty handles the full gamut of criminal charges. From juvenile offenses and drug charges to weapons charges and sex crimes, Mr. Tumelty has the experience to build a strong defense and make sure you are given a fair shake in a court of law.
To schedule a consultation, call today at 609-385-4010.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
