Time-Consistent Criminal Sanctions

Robin Boadway and Nicolas Marceau

No 883, Working Paper from Economics Department, Queen's University

Abstract: A classic argument in the theory of crime is that optimal enforcement policy should involve maximal sanctions combined with minimal detection costs. Yet this is rarely observed in the real world. We argue that reson for this has to do with the time inconsistency of such a policy. If sanctions are only applied after a crime has been committed, the enforcement authority are only reluctant to impose a high sanction since it will no longer have any deterrent effect. We show in a simple one period setting that if the enforcement authority can commit to its announced sanctions, the classic result is obtained. However, if the enforcement authority cannot commit, a minimal sanction with no enforcement effort is obtained. These extreme outcomes can be avoided in a setting in which crimes and enforcement occur repeatedly and the authority is able to build a reputation.

Pages: 14 pages
Date: 1993-06
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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http://qed.econ.queensu.ca/working_papers/papers/qed_wp_883.pdf First version 1993 (application/pdf)

Related works:
Journal Article: Time-Consistent Criminal Sanctions (1996)
Working Paper: Time-consistent criminal sanctions (1996)
Working Paper: Time-Consistent Criminal Sanctions (1994)
Working Paper: Time-Consistent Criminal Sanctions (1993)
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