Final answer:
Public opinion towards white-collar crime has evolved to become more aware, influenced by media portrayal, which sometimes exaggerates the prevalence of crime despite a decline in violent and gun-related crimes. The public's perception is also affected by the unequal treatment of different types of crimes, particularly notable in lenient responses to corporate crime and crimes committed by high-profile individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Public opinion of white-collar crime has shifted towards greater awareness over time. This type of crime includes nonviolent offenses committed by business and government professionals during the course of their occupation. Notably, the perception of crime and awareness of criminal activities have been influenced by media coverage, popular crime series, and extensive reports that tend to distort the public's view of the actual crime rates, which have been declining for violent and gun-related crimes since the early 1990s. Despite actual decreases in crime rates, surveys have indicated that the public often believes crime is on the rise, which can be attributed to the media and entertainment industries' portrayal of crime.
Furthermore, discussions of crime often highlight the unequal treatment and perceptions of different types of crimes and offenders, as well as the influence of social class on criminal justice outcomes. For instance, the relatively lenient penalties for corporate crime compared to street crime, and the fact that high-profile individuals such as NFL players can face less severe legal consequences for their actions. These disparities in the criminal justice response contribute to the varying public opinions on crime and highlight the complexities of defining and responding to different crimes within society.