Lesser Crimes & Offenses - Alcohol And Crime

On an average day in 1996, an estimated 5.3 million convicted offenders were under the supervision of criminal justice authorities. Nearly 40% of these offenders, about 2 million, had been using alcohol at the time of the offense for which they were convicted. For those on probation 39.9% were using alcohol at the time of the offense, compared to 39.5% in local jails, 32.3% in state prisons, 29.3% on parole, and 11% of those in federal prison.

Roughly 56% of offenders in local jails were drinking at the time of the offense, as were 43% of those in state prisons and 75.1% of those who were sentenced to probation. Many of those who received probation are those who commit public order crimes such as driving under the influence, liquor law violations, drunkenness, disorderly conduct, and vagrancy. These alcohol-related crimes represented about 24% of all arrests in 2000.

Number of Alcohol-Related Arrests, 2000

Offense	Number
Driving under the influence	983,669
Liquor law violations	607,194
Disorderly conduct	504,742
Drunkenness	469,124
Vagrancy	28,335

Alcohol plays a significant role in violent crimes as well. For those in state or local jails, over 40% of offenders were drinking when they committed murder, over 30% when they committed a rape or a sexual assault, and over 30% when they committed a robbery.

According to government statistics, two-thirds of victims who suffered violence by an intimate (current or former spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend) reported that alcohol had been a factor. Roughly 7 out of 10 alcohol-related incidents occur at a residence, and the most frequent time for occurrence was 11 p.m. Such data paints a picture of how alcohol can potentially affect some crime. A couple is home, it's late, alcohol is introduced into a troubled, potentially volatile relationship, and one party (or both) become violent.

Alcohol use is an issue in property and drug crimes as well. Roughly 33% and 32% respectively of those in local and state jails consumed alcohol before committing a property crime (burglary saw the highest level). Roughly 29% and 18% respectively of those convicted of drug possession or trafficking were drinking at the time of their arrest.

The role of alcohol in crime is an obvious one: it removes inhibitions and our ability to make sound judgments. We think we can drive home just fine. We confront the spouse or lover who has hurt us. We vandalize property to make us feel better. It also tends to inflame our emotional states: someone who is depressed or angry may decide now is the time to strike back.

Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Alcohol and Crime, April 1998.