Blue-Collar Crimes: Types, Causes, Example & Legal Penalties

Have you heard about theft, assault, or robbery? Well, these are the common offenses that come under blue-collar crimes, which involve physical actions and affect people or property directly.

Such types of blue-collar crimes are often committed and easily visible. Many people have heard about white-collar and blue-collar crimes but don't know about them. Don't worry!

In this article, we will understand everything about blue-collar crime, its categories, causes, legal penalties, and the difference between blue-collar crime and others.

So, without any further delay, let's dive in!

What Is Criminal Law?

Criminal law is a special law that deals with those crimes that harm society or the public, even if the crime affects just one person. This law ensures that whoever breaks the law and commits an offense then faces penalties like fines or jail time. Crime can be anything from small, like theft, to big, like murders. Also, these crimes are identified as Misdemeanors (less serious) and Felonies (more serious) depending on the law of the region where the actual crime is occurring. But regardless of any crime, every accused person has the right to a fair trial and legal practices.

What Is Blue-Collar Crime?

Blue-collar crimes mainly refer to illegal activities that are often committed by people from lower-income backgrounds. Because these crimes involve physical actions to harm someone or property, like theft, sexual assault, robbery, or murder, since these crimes are harmful, they are easy to spot, punishable, and more quickly. Such blue-collar crimes are often driven by anger, need, or impulse decisions. Also, people from lower-income groups may face tougher penalties because they can't afford good lawyers.

Where Did This Term Come From?

The term "blue-collar" has its origins in the 1920s. This term mainly describes workers in jobs that require physical labour, like coal miners, bricklayers, and welders, wearing dark-coloured clothing such as blue. Because these jobs are considered tough and require more physical effort. Over time, the meaning of blue-collar has changed, whereas, in the past, it refers to someone who is unskilled or uneducated. Now, its definition is shifting towards those people who are skilled professionals in their fields.

Types Of Blue-Collar Crimes

Here is the categorization of blue-collar crimes:

1. Crimes Against A Person

When a crime is done against a person directly, like harming or threatening someone, then it comes under this category. It can include murder, robbery, rape, and assaultTheseas actions involve physical violence or threats that happen without the victim's consent. It's considered an offense against society.

2. Crimes Against Property

When a crime happens that involves stealing or damaging someone's property, such as burglary, theft, or arson, without any physical harm to someone, for example, breaking into a house to steal valuable items comes under this category. Such crimes make people struggle financially, and it's often done by lower-income workers or street vendors.

3. Victimless Crimes

Victimless crimes are those illegal activities where no clear victim is harmed. For example - Drug use, gambling, and prostitution. Such illegal activities involved groups of people without direct harm. Still, it's considered illegal and impacts society.

4. Juvenile Delinquency

Juvenile delinquency refers to crimes that are committed by minors (under 18 years old). Since children are involved, they are treated differently under the law, where the government is more focused on rehabilitation than punishment.

Examples Of Blue-Collar Crimes

Blue-collar crimes are illegal activities that can easily be stopped and often have clear victims as these crimes are violent and illegal to anyone who observes them. Some of the common examples of blue-collar crimes are theft, robbery, assault, fraud, and drug crimes. There are endless ways for blue-collar crimes to happen, and it's important to stay aware of them.

What Are The Impact Of Blue-Collar Crimes?

Blue-collar crimes harm the communities and build fear, discomfort, and suffering in society. As these crimes are directly impacted and involve physical actions, they spread fear and disrupt peace. These crimes happen to gain something for their own benefit, mainly in financial terms. The reason behind a person's violent behaviour can be influenced by their family, surroundings, and media. Because crime doesn't affect the victim but also creates stress and worry for others in the community.

Major Causes Of Blue-Collar Crimes

Blue-collar crimes are often committed by people from lower-income backgrounds. It mainly happens due to their personal survival struggles and social challenges. Here are some key reasons behind blue-collar crimes happened:

1. Lack Of Education

One of the biggest reasons why so many crimes are happening is a lack of education. Many people don't know the basic difference between right and wrong. Without having proper education and good morals, it becomes easier for such people to get involved in crime.

2. Unemployment

Unemployment is another big reason why crimes happen; even educated people commit crimes because they are now frustrated with fewer opportunities and unable to find jobs. They are desperate to survive, and it may lead to committing a crime to make money and survive.

3. Lack Of Basic Needs

For humans, the basic needs of life are food, shelter, and health. However, those people who are struggling every day to get these basic necessities may turn to crime as a way to survive. People who live in poor areas are especially affected by this.

4. Lack Of Social Awareness

Another big reason is the lack of social awareness and laws. If people don't know the laws and the consequences of committing a crime, then it becomes easier for them to commit a crime.

5. Lack of Government Support

When the government doesn't provide support to help low-income communities then people may feel abandoned and go to commit a crime in frustration.

What Are The Legal Penalties For A Blue-Collar Crime?

Let's understand what legal penalties include for blue-collar crimes:

Misdemeanors

Misdemeanours are one of the most common types of blue-collar crimes. These crimes are not major crimes like murder or drug trafficking, but they still carry legal penalties such as a fine of around $1000 and a short jail for a few days to less than a year.

However, there are more serious punishments that also arise for misdemeanours because of repeat offences and the use of dangerous weapons that increase injury to victims. It's important to understand that the severity of the penalty depends on the specific type of misdemeanours committed.

Some of the common Misdemeanors crimes are petty theft, disruptive behaviour in public, damaging someone's property, public urination, and harassment. Each type of crime leads to different penalties as per the crime committed.

Drug Trafficking Penalties

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985 (NDPS) sets important laws around drug trafficking for blue-collar criminals.

As per this law, people can't grow, make, sell, transport, or bring any narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances until it's used for medical or scientific purposes, which is allowed by the government. If someone is caught selling these drugs a second time, then there's a very serious punishment that may lead to the death penalty. And if someone is found in restricted areas where these drugs are vulnerable, then they can be imprisoned for more than two years.

1. If someone grows opium, cannabis (marijuana), or coca plants without the proper license, then they can go to Jail for up to ten years and have to pay a heavy fine of up to one lakh rupees. This is based on the specific laws that cover each of these plants.
2. Sections 17, 18, 20, 21, and 22 of the law cover various illegal activities to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Which includes producing, making, owning, selling, buying, transporting, and using these drugs. Here's how the punishment works based on the amount involved:

• Small Quantity: If someone is caught with a small amount of drugs then they can be punished with up to 6 months in Jail and a fine of up to ₹10,000 or both.

• Medium Quantity: If someone is caught with a larger amount of drugs but less than a commercial quantity, then the punishment increases to up to 10 years in Jail and a fine of up to ₹100,000.
• Commercial Quantity: If someone is caught with large amounts of drugs, then the punishment is much more severe, with 10-20 years of imprisonment and a fine between ₹100,000 to ₹200,000.

3. Section 23 of the Indian law talks about the rules for bringing narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances into or out of the country (import and export) and transferring them between locations. These are the punishments for breaking laws depending on the amount of drugs:

• Small Quantity: If someone is caught with a small amount of these drugs, then they can face up to 6 months in Jail and a fine of up to ₹10,000 or both.
• Medium Quantity: If the amount caught is larger than a small but not equal to commercial quantity, then the punishment increases to up to 10 years in Jail and a fine of ₹100,000.
• Commercial Quantity: For large amounts, the penalties are harsh, with imprisonment ranging between 10-20 years and fines between ₹100,000 to ₹200,000.

4. Section 24 mainly focuses on illegal activities that include the import/export of drugs and psychotropic substances that happen outside India. It means if someone buys drugs from another country and sells them to someone outside India, then it's a serious crime, and the punishment for this crime is imprisonment between 10-20 years and a fine between ₹100,000 to ₹200,000. However, the punishment is the same regardless of how much drugs are involved.
5. Section 27 deals with the illegal consumption of narcotic drugs. If someone is caught using drugs like cocaine, morphine, or heroin, then they can face up to 1 year in prison and a fine of up to ₹20,000. For other narcotic drugs, the penalties are lighter, with imprisonment of up to 6 months and a fine of up to ₹10,000. In both cases, individuals may receive either or both penalties.

Penalties Under The Indian Penal Code, 1860

• Robbery: Robbery is a punishable crime with imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine. If the robbery happens on a highway during the day, the punishment increases to 14 years, as per Section 392. And if someone tries to commit robbery but fails, then imprisonment for up to 7 years and a fine as per Section 393.
• Kidnapping: If someone kidnaps another person or takes them away from their legal guardian, then it can be punished with imprisonment for up to 7 years and a fine as per Section 363.
• Human Trafficking: Buying or Selling someone as a slave is punishable with imprisonment up to 7 years and a fine by Section 370.
• Prostitution: Selling or hiring a minor for prostitution can lead to imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine as per Sections 372 and 373.
• Deadly Weapons: Being a part of a group with a deadly weapon can lead to imprisonment for up to 2 years and a fine as per Section 144.
• Hit and Run: Rash driving that can put lives at risk can lead to 6 months in Jail or a fine of up to ₹1,000 as per Section 279. On the other hand, causing death or serious harm can lead to up to 2 years in prison or a fine as per Section 304A and 338.
• Rape: Rape is a very serious crime and imprisonment for at least 10 years with a possibility of life imprisonment and a fine as per Section 376.
• Assault: Assault can lead to imprisonment for up to 3 months and a fine of up to ₹500 as per Section 392.
• Dacoity: This involves robbery by a group of people and is punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine as per Section 395.
• Murder: Anyone who commits murder can face life imprisonment or even the death penalty along with a fine as per Section 302.

What Is The Key Difference Between Blue-Collar Crimes And White-Collar Crimes?

Blue-collar crimes involve physical offences like theft and assault, which are often committed by lower-income individuals. These crimes are more visible and physically damaged. On the other hand, white-collar crimes are non-violent crimes like fraud and embezzlement, which are usually committed by professionals. These crimes are not easy to spot and can cause financial damage.

Conclusion

Blue-collar crimes are physical illegal activities like theft, assault, and robbery and can be easily spotted. However, understanding the causes, penalties, and legal impacts is also important for society's awareness. We hope this guide helps you understand everything about blue-collar crimes, their role, and their legal consequences in order to raise awareness in society.