The aggregate burden of crime

This study estimates the total annual cost of criminal behavior in the Unit ed States. While past research has typically focused on particular costs, r egions, or crime categories, this general study estimates all of the direct and indirect costs of crime for the entire nation. In addition to aggregat ing expenses commonly associated with unlawful activity, it considers ancil lary costs that have not yet been included in an overall formula for the co st of crime. Beyond the expenses of the legal system, victim losses, and cr ime-prevention agencies, the burden of crime encompasses the opportunity co sts of victims', criminals', and prisoners' time; the fear of being victimi zed; and the cost of private deterrence. More accurate information on the r epercussions of crime could guide our legal, political, and cultural stance toward crime and allow informed prioritization of programs that curtail cr iminal activity. The net annual burden of crime is found to exceed $1 trill ion.