The purpose of the present study was twofold. First, to determine the perceptions of the elderly criminal compared to those for adult and juvenile criminals and, second, to determine whether punishments assigned to the elderly criminal differed from those of adults and juveniles. Results showed that the elderly criminal was perceived in a significantly more positive manner than the adult or juvenile criminal. Further, the elderly criminal received a significantly more lenient sentence than did the adult criminal. There were no differences between the adult and juvenile with respect to sentencing. These results would suggest that most people, including law enforcement personnel, believe that the elderly criminal should be treated differently than the adult criminal. 10 references. (Author abstract modified)