CRIME Flashcards
(178 cards)
Meaning of crime
Crime refers to any conduct which violates the right of the community at large and is punishable by a criminal sanction from state.
Criminal law is the area of law that deals with crime and is concerned with the protection of society and aims to provide sanction or punishment to an offender who is found guilty under the court of law.
The elements of crime
- Actus reus: Latin term meaning ‘guilty act’ and refers to the physical act of someone carrying out the crime. The prosecution must prove that someone in fact did commit the crime.
E.g R v Esho: offenders act was caught on cctv cameras and thus, the actus reus was proven.
- Mens rea: Latin term meaning ‘guilty mind’ and refers to the mental state of the accused. The prosecution must prove that the accused intended to commit the crime with intention, recklessness and criminal negligence.
E.g R v Dean: offender burnt down nursing home with the intention of concealing the fact that he was stealing prohibited drugs.
Strict liability offences
Refers to an offence where the mens rea does not need to be proved, only the actus reus. It reduces the level of proof required to achieve a criminal conviction. They do not need need to prove the person intended to commit the crime but that they did in fact commit the crime.
E.g speeding, littering, possession of spray paint cans.
Causation
Refers to the link between the behaviour of the accused and the end result. Causation is essentially: did the accused cause injury or harm to a victim or cause a crime.
E.g R v Dean: starting the fire caused the death of 9 people.
Offences against the person
Listed under the Crimes Act 1900 (Cth), involves some sort of harm or injury to another individual.
- Homicide: murder, manslaughter, infanticide etc.
- Assault: physical, verbal, threats etc.
- Sexual offences: assault, rape, assault in company, rape.
Offences against the sovereign
Listed under section 80.1 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth), involves crimes against the sovereign or parliament.
- Treason: levying war against the state, assisting the enemy, killing the head of the state etc.
- Sedition: promoting hatred or contempt against the government through slander or force.
Economic offences
Listed under the Crimes Act 1900, involves money and property.
- Crimes against property: larceny, robbery, break& enter.
- White collar crime: embezzlement, tax evasion, insider trading.
- Computer offences: hacking, scams, fraud, fake charities, identity theft, modification of data.
Drug offences
Listed under the Drug Misuse & Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW), involves prohibited or restricted drugs.
E.g possession, use, cultivation, supply, dealing, trafficking.
Driving offences
Listed under the Crimes Act 1900, involves crimes behind a motor vehicle.
E.g speeding, ignoring road rules, DUI
Public order offences
Listed under the Crimes Act 1900, involves the disturbance of public morale.
- Obscene/threatening language & possessing weapons in public
- Affray: threats and violence in public
- Riots: groups threatens unlawful violence for a common purpose
Preliminary offences
Listed under the Crimes Act 1900, involves offences that precede the commission of a crime; it has not yet been completed.
- Conspiracy: people jointly conspiring to commit a crime in the future
Regulatory offences
Listed under the Crimes Act 1900, involves day to day crimes and strict liability offences.
E.g breaking water restrictions, breaching WHS, travelling with no opal card, breaking fire bans.
Summary offences
Found under the NSW criminal code, they are less serious offences, usually in the local court with no jury and less severe punishments.
E.g traffic offences, speeding, littering, graffiti etc
Indictable offences
Found under the Crimes Act 1900, these are more serious crimes, decided by a jury and judge in a higher court with more severe punishments.
E.g rape, murder, treason.
Parties to a crime
- Principal in the 1st degree: main perpetrator
- Principal in the 2nd degree: helped the 1st degree
- Accessory before the fact: helped plan the crime
- Accessory after the fact: who helped after the crime
Psychological factors as contributors to criminal behaviour
These are the circumstances relevant to the commission of a crime, involving the mental state of an offender.
E.g 49% of criminals have mental illnesses including depression and bipolar (according to the Australian Institute of Health & Welfare).
Social factors as contributors to criminal behaviour
These circumstances are instilled by society or one’s upbringing and social construct.
E.g 40% of criminals are affected by illegal drugs pr abusive upbringings (according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse).
Economic factors as contributors to criminal behaviour
These are the factors that contribute to the financial motives of offenders
E.g 60% of homeless people have a history of criminal behaviour because they are socioeconomically disadvantaged and want to steal (according to Sydney Criminal Lawyers).
Political factors as contributors to criminal behaviour
These are circumstances that stimulate offences against the diversity or state due to opposing political convictions.
E.g BOCSAR found that 100% of terrorism cases in NSW in the past 10 years have been politically driven.
Situational crime prevention
Strategies employed by groups to try and stop a crime from happening to make it harder for offenders to strike.
E.g car immobilisers, electric tags on clothes, CCTV cameras.
E.g Dr Robert Carr states “CCTV cameras reduced crimes in very few examples, but help get the convictions.”
Social crime prevention
Prevention strategies that attempt to address the underlying factors that may lead to criminal behaviour. Main strategy being education.
E.g Social Liaison Police group whereby police officers go to schools and launch educational programs.
E.g Healthy Harold attempting to counteract social factors leading to crimes from a young age.
Police powers
Police are apart of the executive arm of government and they are responsible for the prevention and detection of crime and for the maintenance of public order, as such they are given special powers.
Outlined in the Law Enforcement (Powers & Responsibilities) Act 2002 (NSW).
- Detaining and questioning suspects
- Searching property and seizing evidence
- Reasonable force to carry out duties
- Use of technologies to assist them
- Arrest and interrogate suspects
Code of behaviour for police powers
Code of Practice for CRIME (custody, rights, investigation, management & evidence).
This outlines the rights of suspects and enforces the manner in which investigations should be carried out, playing safety as a priority.
NSW Police Force is overseen by the NSW Ombudsman and the Police Integrity Commission
Police powers effectiveness evidence
2007 ABC media article: “Sydney crime falling as strategies yield results.”
Details the decline of major crimes by 75% due to increased investigation and police watch in crime stricken neighbourhoods such as Mt Druitt. Police are using their powers to limit crime in the areas that exhibit it the most.