Broken Windows, Sweaty Palms

A new study claims to have proven that the “broken windows” theory of crime is valid. The theory “takes its name from the observation that a few broken windows in an empty building quickly lead to more smashed panes, more vandalism and eventually to break-ins.” Although the theory has prevailed among many law and order types for decades it has apparently never been very well tested. Researchers in the Netherlands now say their tests prove that more crime happens in areas that are “disordered,” e.g., cluttered with litter, tagged w/graffiti, etc.

The most dramatic result, though, was the one that showed a doubling in the number of people who were prepared to steal in a condition of disorder. In this case an envelope with a €5 ($6) note inside (and the note clearly visible through the address window) was left sticking out of a post box. In a condition of order, 13% of those passing took the envelope (instead of leaving it or pushing it into the box). But if the post box was covered in graffiti, 27% did. Even if the post box had no graffiti on it, but the area around it was littered with paper, orange peel, cigarette butts and empty cans, 25% still took the envelope.

Perhaps we won’t be pointing this out to the judge for the next kid who’s up for sentencing for tagging his local school w/some spraypaint. Although CrimProf Blog hasn’t commented on the broken windows study (that I can tell), the good professors do point out that experts suggest that bad economies don’t cause crime waves and cops should not be coercing murder confessions from 8-year-old boys.

In the PD blawgosphere, Gideon and Scott join the conversation Accident Prone started a few weeks ago with her letter to the private defense bar asking private defense attorneys to stop misleading clients into thinking that they would get a sweet deal if only they could afford a “real” (private) lawyer. You’ll definitely find a lot off points go consider for yourself, both in their posts and in the extensive comments on both sites.

Elsewhere, A Year In the Life scored a big win a couple of weeks ago when her judge granted a motion to suppress statements. She’s now up to her ears in trial prep while simultaneously getting ready to begin a surrogate pregnancy. Wow. That’s a lot.

On a sad note, In the Moment recently learned of the death of one off his former clients. Any public defender who practices very long will almost certainly have a similar experience; it’s one of those many hard things about our job that many people just never think about.

Finally, Ipse Dixit reminds us of something we’ve probably all heard before but must never forget:

“We, as criminal defense lawyers, are forced to deal with some of the lowest people on earth, people who have no sense of right and wrong, people who will lie in court to get what they want, people who do not care who gets hurt in the process. It is our job – our sworn duty – as criminal defense lawyers, to protect our clients from those people.”

Ah yeah. Oh, and just FYI: The blogger at Song of the Soul shall henceforth be known as The Peanut Butter Cup Cowboy to all of her G’s.