Perceptions toward justice institutions and drug trafficking among mexicans teenagers

Abstract

Historically, the various justice administration bodies in Mexico are described as having poor performance, which affects the perception of them. The security crisis caused by crime aggravates this condition. Based on Theory of Social Control Crime, regarding that beliefs towards social norms are fundamental in crime control, the aim is to describe the influence that negative perceptions toward various justice figures had on the process of immersion and maintenance in drug trafficking activities in a sample of 19 adolescents deprived of liberty for these crimes in the state of Sonora. Applying a qualitative semi-structured interview methodology, it was found that the negative perception towards various justice bodies resulted in drug trafficking being considered a feasible option, due to the low possibility of punishment and greater profits.