Crime and the Law Flashcards
(99 cards)
1
Q
What is drug crime?
A
Drug crime involves the possession, supply, or allowing premises to be used for drug taking.
2
Q
What are the classifications of drugs in Scotland?
A
Drugs are classified from Class A to Class C.
3
Q
What is the sentence for possession of a Class A drug in Scotland?
A
Up to 7 years in prison.
4
Q
What is the sentence for selling a Class A drug in Scotland?
A
Up to life imprisonment.
5
Q
How are violent crimes related to drug crime?
A
Many violent crimes are linked to the supply of drugs.
6
Q
What is knife crime?
A
Knife crime involves possessing, selling, using, or attempting to use a knife.
7
Q
What is the maximum prison sentence for possessing a knife in Scotland?
A
Up to 5 years in prison.
8
Q
What is domestic violence?
A
Domestic violence involves controlling, threatening behaviour, or abuse of partners or family members.
9
Q
What new type of behaviour has been added to domestic violence offences?
A
Controlling behaviour by a partner.
10
Q
What is the extent of drug crime in Scotland?
A
Drug crime is rising, with Scotland having the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Europe.
11
Q
How many drug-related deaths occurred in Scotland in 2023?
A
1,197 deaths.
12
Q
What is the extent of knife crime in the UK?
A
Knife crime is rising, especially in areas like London, involving young people.
13
Q
How many knife crime offences were recorded in the UK in 2023?
A
9,717 offences.
14
Q
How many domestic abuse crimes were recorded in Scotland in 2023-24?
A
61,934 crimes.
15
Q
What does the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 criminalise?
A
It criminalises controlling behaviours, such as restricting access to money and insults.
16
Q
What initiative has helped reduce knife crime in Scotland?
A
The Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU).
17
Q
When was the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU) set up?
A
In 2005.
18
Q
What impact has the SVRU had on knife crime in Scotland?
A
It helped reduce knife crime, making Scotland have the lowest rate of knife crime in the UK.
19
Q
What is the extent of religious hate crime in Scotland?
A
Religious hate crime is at its lowest since 2004-5.
20
Q
How many religious hate crime charges were reported in 2023-24?
A
523 charges.
21
Q
What programmes may have contributed to the decrease in religious hate crime?
A
Nil By Mouth and the Dear Haters campaign.
22
Q
What do some criminologists believe about criminals’ physiology?
A
They believe criminals are physiologically different from ‘normal’ humans and may be born with a predisposition to crime.
23
Q
What is the ‘warrior gene’?
A
The ‘warrior gene’ (MAOA) is thought to make individuals more likely to commit violent acts.
24
Q
Does everyone with the ‘warrior gene’ commit violent acts?
A
No, not everyone with the gene becomes a violent criminal.
25
How much more likely are people with the 'warrior gene' to engage in violent behaviour?
People with the gene are 13 times more likely to engage in repeated violent behaviour.
26
How does poor mental health affect criminal behaviour?
Poor mental health, such as schizophrenia, can distort perception and lead to criminal acts.
27
What percentage of female prisoners have symptoms linked to mental health issues?
25% of female prisoners report mental health symptoms.
28
What percentage of male prisoners have symptoms linked to mental health issues?
15% of male prisoners report mental health symptoms.
29
What is a social cause of crime related to family dynamics?
Poor parenting, such as neglect or abuse, can increase the likelihood of criminal behaviour in children.
30
How does poor parenting affect a child’s behaviour?
A child raised with poor parenting is more likely to develop criminal behaviour.
31
What role does peer pressure play in crime?
Peer pressure can lead individuals to commit crimes to be accepted by their friends.
32
How can alcohol consumption lead to crime?
Alcohol reduces inhibitions, making people more likely to take risks or become argumentative.
33
What percentage of prisoners reported being drunk at the time of their offence?
41% of prisoners reported being drunk at the time of their offence.
34
How does poverty contribute to crime?
Poverty can lead to unemployment, lack of education, and poor housing, which may push individuals to commit crimes to meet basic needs.
35
What percentage of all crimes of dishonesty in Scotland are related to stealing basic items?
Around 25% of all crimes of dishonesty involve stealing basic items like food and clothing.
36
What is greed as an economic cause of crime?
Greed leads individuals, especially wealthy ones, to commit white-collar crimes such as embezzlement and fraud.
37
What crime did former MP Natalie McGarry commit?
She was convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to jail.
38
What is the Broken Windows Theory?
The theory suggests that visible signs of crime and disorder lead to further crime and disorder in an area.
39
How does Broken Windows Theory relate to crime in run-down areas?
Areas with visible signs of crime, such as graffiti, are more likely to experience further criminal activity.
40
What is the role of the Scottish Courts System in punishing offenders?
To punish guilty individuals, either by sentencing them to jail or giving fines, and to act as a deterrent.
41
How many people were convicted of crimes in Scotland in 2022?
59,295 people.
42
What is the role of the Scottish Courts in providing justice for victims?
To provide comfort to victims by ensuring the perpetrator is sentenced, offering peace and safety.
43
What example shows the role of courts in providing justice for victims?
Christopher McGee's family felt justice was served when his killers were sentenced to life in prison in 2024.
44
How do Scottish Courts keep the public safe?
By sentencing offenders to prison, preventing them from committing further crimes.
45
How many prisoners were in Scotland in 2024?
Over 8,000 prisoners.
46
What is the role of the Children’s Hearing System in investigating referrals?
The reporter investigates referrals, gathers evidence, and decides if a panel is needed.
47
What percentage of referrals to the Children’s Hearing System come from the police?
75%.
48
What is the role of the Children’s Hearing System in organizing panels?
The reporter arranges a panel, contacting involved parties like panel members, school, child, and family.
49
Who attends a Children's Hearing System panel meeting?
Three panel members, a teacher, social worker, safeguarders, and the child’s family.
50
What is the Children’s Hearing System's role in supporting the child?
To act in the child’s best interest, providing support in an informal setting, such as a school or community centre.
51
What power does the Children’s Hearing System have to supervise a child at home?
The child is supervised at home by a social worker under a Compulsory Supervision Order.
52
What is an example of a child supervised at home?
A child who has been truanting from school may be supervised regularly by a social worker.
53
What power does the Children’s Hearing System have to remove a child from their home?
The child can be removed to a children's home, foster home, or residential school for their welfare.
54
What is an example of a child being removed from their home?
A child who has been abused or is unsafe may be removed for their protection.
55
What power does the Children’s Hearing System have to issue a warrant for attendance?
A warrant can be issued for police to seek out a child who failed to attend a hearing or is in danger.
56
What happens if a child doesn't attend a hearing?
A warrant allows the police to take the child into custody, including breaking down locked doors if necessary.
57
Why are courts effective in tackling crime?
They punish offenders, provide justice for victims, and keep the public safe.
58
What is one reason the Scottish Courts are ineffective?
The courts fail as a deterrent, with increasing violent crime rates.
59
What example shows the failure of courts as a deterrent?
Non-sexual violent crime increased by 2% in 2024.
60
What is one reason the Scottish Courts are ineffective?
High reoffending rates, as many offenders commit crimes again after being punished.
61
What example shows high reoffending rates in Scotland?
Reoffending rates reached 30%, leading to a ban on short sentences under 12 months.
62
Why are some guilty people not convicted in Scotland?
The 'not proven' verdict allows some guilty individuals to be released due to insufficient evidence.
63
What example shows the issue with the 'not proven' verdict?
1 in 5 rape trials results in a 'not proven' verdict, suggesting an inefficiency in conviction.
64
What is the Scottish Government's response to alcohol-related crime?
Introduced laws to reduce alcohol consumption, including a minimum price of 65p per unit.
65
How does the Scottish Government aim to reduce gang crime?
The Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) treats gang crime like a disease, addressing its causes before it happens.
66
How has the VRU helped tackle gang crime in Glasgow?
By employing former offenders to guide others out of gangs and offer education and support.
67
What is the purpose of the No Knives Better Lives (NKBL) program?
To reduce knife crime by addressing the reasons people carry knives.
68
How has the NKBL program been effective in reducing knife crime?
The number of knife crimes in Scotland has decreased in recent years, especially in Glasgow.
69
What has been the success of the Scottish Government's alcohol-related crime measures?
Recorded drunkenness offences have decreased by over 91% in the past 10 years.
70
How effective has the Scottish Government been in reducing violent crime?
The number of recorded murders in Scotland reached the lowest level since 1976 (52 murders in 2023).
71
What remains an issue despite the government’s responses to crime?
Knife crime, with 9,717 handling offensive weapon crimes recorded in 2022-2023.
72
What is a key ongoing issue despite the government's alcohol-related crime measures?
Two-thirds of serious assaults are still committed under the influence of alcohol.
73
What is an ongoing challenge for the Scottish Government's crime measures?
Violent crime continues to be a problem, with over 71,000 violent crimes in 2023.
74
What is one role of the police in Scotland?
To maintain law and order and ensure people follow the law.
75
How do the police detect crime?
By investigating crimes, interviewing witnesses, and using powers of arrest and entry.
76
How do the police in Scotland prevent crime?
By using stop and search tactics, educating the public, and monitoring social media.
77
What is the power of arrest in Scotland?
Police can arrest someone suspected of committing a crime and detain them for investigation.
78
What is the power of search in Scotland?
Police can search someone if there is reasonable suspicion they’ve committed an offense.
79
What is the power of entry in Scotland?
Police can enter a property without a warrant to protect life, investigate a disturbance, or pursue a criminal.
80
How effective has Police Scotland been in investigating crimes?
They successfully solve crimes, such as the murder of Michael White in 2024.
81
How effective has the stop and search tactic been for Police Scotland?
Stop and search tactics at events like Taylor Swift concerts in 2023 ensured public safety.
82
What role do community police officers play in Scotland?
They engage with young people to educate them on crime and build relationships.
83
What issue has Police Scotland failed to address effectively?
The rise in sex crimes, with reported sex crimes increasing from 9,000 to over 14,000 annually since 2013.
84
What is the rise in violent crime despite efforts by Police Scotland?
Violent crimes rose by 4% in 2023-24, reaching 71,463 incidents.
85
What is the ongoing challenge for Police Scotland in tackling drug-related crime?
Scotland has one of the highest drug death rates in Europe, indicating failure to address drug issues.
86
What is the purpose of prisons?
To provide justice, protect the public, and rehabilitate offenders.
87
How do prisons provide justice?
By locking up offenders and showing consequences for crimes, providing comfort to victims.
88
How do prisons protect the public?
By keeping criminals off the streets and reducing the risk of further crimes.
89
How do prisons aim to rehabilitate offenders?
By providing education and reform programs to help offenders reintegrate into society.
90
What is the cost of keeping a prisoner in Scotland?
It costs around £40,000 per year per prisoner.
91
What is an issue with the Scottish prison system?
Overcrowding, with 23.6% of jails deemed overcrowded in 2024.
92
What is an issue with the rehabilitation of drug offenders in prison?
High reoffending rates, with 58% of drug offenders reoffending after treatment.
93
What is an alternative to prison in Scotland?
Financial fines, community service orders (CPO), and electronic tagging.
94
What is a Community Payback Order (CPO)?
A form of community service where offenders rehabilitate and contribute to the community.
95
How does electronic tagging work?
Offenders are monitored with a tag and must adhere to a curfew to avoid imprisonment.
96
Why are alternatives to prison effective?
They help reduce reoffending, with reconviction rates for CPOs 14% lower than for prison sentences.
97
Why are alternatives to prison more cost-effective?
They are cheaper, saving between £19,000 and £88,000 per offender compared to prison sentences.
98
How do alternatives to prison aid rehabilitation?
They allow offenders to stay connected with their support networks, focusing on the causes of crime.
99
What is the impact of CPOs on rehabilitation?
CPOs give offenders the confidence to apply for employment, aiding their rehabilitation.
