Various sociological theories of crime causation -- Marxist criminology, anomie theory, and labeling theory -- predict major increases in crime during economic crises. One Marxist perspective sees crime increase as the pressures of a capitalist system are exacerbated, leading to intensified enforcement at all levels. Another viewpoint is that all crimes increase in an economy experiencing extended 'stagflation,' and will be oriented toward the offender's economic survival. The combination of stagflation and the 'Proposition 13 mentality' will limit public funds and force criminal justice agencies to compete for resources. As a result, the criminal justice system will align itself with politically powerful sponsors to ensure its survival and intensify its efforts to suppress individual criminality, which might threaten economic privilege and the distribution of private property. The effects of Proposition 13 may include a less humane and responsive criminal justice system. Other experts anticipate continuing structural changes in police agencies, reduced court services, and a tendency for courts to negate due process rights, as well as the development of alternative forms of justice delivery. An economic model of crime presents a structured, systematic approach to making policy decisions; it finds that although such reforms as restitution programs are cost-beneficial, they will not overcome the increase in the net cost of crime that threatens to accompany a depressed economy. Tables, reference notes, and graphs accompany many essays; an index is appended.