How does denunciation use public condemnation to teach social values?

In the context of law, denunciation serves as a form of community moral education that utilizes public condemnation to reinforce social values. Unlike general deterrence, which relies on fear and the rational calculation of risks to discourage potential offenders, denunciation targets the moral sensibilities of law-abiding citizens.1

By subjecting an offender to shame and public criticism, the legal system publicly expresses disapproval of criminal acts. This process aims to strengthen the community's collective rejection of law-breaking behavior. For example, when a court imposes a sentence on a thief, it does not merely punish the individual; it serves as a public lesson that reinforces the societal belief that stealing is dishonest.21

Ultimately, denunciation functions by aligning the public’s moral compass with the law, ensuring that citizens refrain from crime not because they fear punishment, but because they have internalized the values that the law seeks to uphold.1