
CRIME - ITS CAUSE AND TREATMENT
BY CLARENCE DARROW
1922
PREFACE
CRIME - ITS CAUSE AND TREATMENT
I. WHAT IS CRIME?
II. PURPOSE OF PUNISHMENT
III. RESPONSIBILITY FOR CRIME
IV. ENVIRONMENT
V. ADJUSTING HEREDITY AND ENVIRONMENT
Drawing on more than four decades of courtroom experience, the author offers a thoughtful exploration of why people commit unlawful acts. He weaves together legal insight with the latest scientific thinking on psychology, biology, and philosophy, presenting crime as a phenomenon that can be examined through the same natural laws that govern the physical world. The tone remains modest, acknowledging that many of the conclusions may still be debated, yet it invites listeners to consider the mind as a function of the broader nervous system rather than an isolated mystery.
The work challenges the traditional moral framing of criminal behavior, suggesting instead that “criminal” actions stem from functional defects within the human structure and its interaction with the environment. By treating crime as a medical and social issue, the author argues for more humane, evidence‑based responses rather than simple condemnation. Listeners will find a compelling case for rethinking justice, one that emphasizes understanding and treatment over punishment.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (383K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Steven desJardins and Distributed Proofreaders
Release date
2004-04-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1857–1938
Known for courtroom battles that gripped the nation, this famed American defense lawyer built a reputation as a sharp speaker and a fierce advocate for people he believed were getting a raw deal. His name is still closely tied to some of the most famous trials in U.S. history.
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