AC1.2- How Laws change depending on the circumstance

Question 1

What is a moral panic + example

Answer 1

mass exaggrerated movement that evokes fear in society
Those convicted of relatively minor offences committed during the London riots 2011 e.g theft, are more likely to receive custodial sentences than similar cases committed under ‘normal’ circumstances

Question 2

What is a typification

Answer 2

the mental process of classifying people or situations based stereotypes. It involves assigning labels and expectations to individuals or groups, often influencing how we perceive and interact with them. For example, if someone is labeled as a “criminal,” our typification of them may shape our attitudes and behaviors towards that person, impacting the way we interpret their actions and engage with them

Question 3

Study on typifications

Answer 3

Chambliss - who studied 2 groups of youths - middle-class ‘saints’ and working-class ‘roughnecks’ were treated differently for the same crimes

Question 4

What are the 3 social defences contained in the Homicide Act 1957 which exist solely for the offence of murder where the defendant can plead not guilty to having killed someone:

Answer 4

Diminished responsibility- The defendant shows their mental condition reduced their ability to understand their actions

Loss of control - a partial defence that may reduce the offence to manslaughter

Automatism - a crime must be a voluntary act - the defendant must have consciously chosen to commit the acte.g intoxiacted or medical condition