Midterm 1 Flashcards
(33 cards)
Norm types and the purpose
Implicit : explicit rules of conduct that are written down and enforced by law
Explicit : rules and standards that govern behaviour. Invisible rules of conduct
Deviance and types
Def : anything that goes against norms that cause a reaction
Formal : committing crimes
Informal : violation of informal social norms
Deviance is relative to…
Time
Place (Lebanon and bestiality)
Social context (alcohol in class)
Social status or group
Social control
What encourages individuals to conform to social norms.
Internal : Prevents guilt and shame from engaging in deviant behaviour. Self imposed.
External : Lies outside of the individual and is based upon rewards and punishments.
External social control
Formal : enforced through official means (institutions, government). The use of positive (early release) and negative sanctions (jail time).
Informal : Enforced through non-official means. Often spontaneous expressions of approval or disapproval. Also use positive sanctions (praise) and negative sanctions (dirty looks)
Crime classifications
Mala in se : illegal because inherently immoral
Mala in prohibita : not immoral, just classified as illegal
Kinds of offenses
Summary offenses : 6 months max jail, 5000$ max fine. Must be convicted within 12 months
Indictable : more serious. Max is life (25 yrs). No statute of limitations. Can have a jury
Hybrid : can be tried as summary or indictment depending on severity of crime and repeat offenses
Theoretical models
Crime control model : to protect society
- Focus : Protect society over any individual
- Policing : Support strong law enforcement practices
- To ensure efficiency : must adopt assembly line justice (rapid routine processes (cases) using as few resources as possible)
- Presumption : Most defendants are guilty until proven innocent
- Courts : punishment should be swift and severe
Due process : to protect the individual
- Focus : System needs to protect the rights of the defendant
- Presumption : Defendants are innocent until proven guilty
- Courts : To ensure fairness, legal procedures must not be rushed
CSI effect
Crime dramas give an inflated idea of how crimes are solved.
Affects trials in 2 ways : Jurors expect more evidence than normal, and they expect more forensic evidence (often slow/ unattainable)
Effects of crime dramas on viewers
- We are much more fearful of crime
- The world feels more dangerous
- Our community feels less safe
- People feel that the crime rate is increasing
- They think they’re more likely to be a victim
- View police more favorably
Crime
An act or omission that is against the law and punishable upon commission (hit and run, withholding from the police, not filing taxes)
Homicide
- 1st degree : planned or if committed against officer or during other crime. Life sentence observed for life
- 2nd degree : intent but no plan. Life sentence (10-25 yrs parole)
- Manslaughter : no intention to cause death, often criminal negligence. Min sentence with firearm (4yrs). Max life (parole 7-10yrs)
- Infanticide : death of baby less than 1. Max 5yrs
Property crime
Taking or attempting to take someone’s property from them without violence or deliberately damaging another person’s property
- Breaking and entering
- Fraud
- Arson
- Vandalism
- Theft of motor vehicle
- Theft (Theft over 5000, Theft under 5000)
Hate crimes
Criminal offenses committed against a person or property that is intended to intimidate or harm a person or the group to which they belong
Crimes of the powerful
Occupational crimes : For their own gain, generally for money.
Organizational crimes : For the benefit of the organization, consumers, population, etc. Producing unsafe products. Environmental crimes
Organized crimes
A relatively small number of the individuals in criminal enterprises engage in a significant amount of crime.
Broad range of criminal activities, including selling weapons, drugs, etc.
Criminal organization : a group 3 or more people who come together to commit one or more serious offenses that are intended to result in a material benefit
Crime rate equation
Crime rate = (offences x 100 000) / population
Limitations of crime rates
Results in a misrepresentation (all types of crimes given same weight)
Only deals in offences (nothing like breaking and entering)
Volume of crime, not severity
Only offenses reported to the police (no dark figure of crime)
Crime severity index
Measures volume and severity
Each crime is given a weight according to a scale of severity (determined by court sentences imposed over the last 5 yrs)
Victimization survey’s
Official survey conducted every 5 yrs from those 15 yrs or older
Respondents asked if they’ve been victimized in the previous year and if those crimes were reported to the police
- Advantages : Addresses the “dark figure of crime”
- Disadvantages : Only applies to people 15 and over (high rates of victimization below that age range), some may not have access or use technology (homeless), only every 5 yrs, info may not be accurate, TELESCOPING (memory may be remembered as sooner than it was)
Self report surveys
Unofficial questionnaire that asks individuals about their criminal behaviours
Shows when individuals start to commit offences, what types of crime, whether crime differs based on gender race, social status and age
- Same advantages and disadvantages and victimization surveys
List all 6 crime control philosophies
- Deterrence
- Retribution
- Incapacitation
- Réhabilitation
- Restitution
- Restorative justice
Commonalities between deterrence, retribution and incapacitation
Reflect the crime control model
Goal is to protect society
Focus is on the crime
Commonalities between rehabilitation, restitution and restorative justice
Reflects the due process model
Goal to reduce reoffending
Focus on offender
