Sociological perspective on the optimal law enforcement: Typical cases of overcriminalization of economic activity in Russia

Based on the analysis of verdict texts, we demonstrate that many criminal cases against individuals who were prosecuted for economic crimes in Russian courts in the past few years do not correspond with the level of optimal law enforcement. Economic crimes (a) did not cause substantial harm, (b) did not have harmful externalities, (c) were common, but the enforcement was selective. Economic activity was most often overcriminalized by the law enforcement when illegal behavior consisted of accounting or tax mistakes, breach of a contract, violations of special-purpose loan regulations, or licensing offences.