social definition of crime

Question 1

define the social definition of crime:

Answer 1

the way in which society describes criminal behaviour

Question 2

what are the 3 factors that affect the social definition of crime?

Answer 2

differing views
law enforcement
law making

Question 3

explain differing views:

Answer 3

society often have a different view of what acts are ‘really crimes’ as compared with the legal definition

some may see crimes as criminal but others see it as not criminal

Question 4

example of differing views:

Answer 4

cannabis

some have decriminalised the use of cannabis but some still see it as criminal

Question 5

explain law enforcement:

Answer 5

not all criminal laws are enforced as some are not the main priority as there are more serious crimes to focus on

Question 6

example of law enforcement:

Answer 6

may not investigate and prosecute white collar crime as it is complex, costly and time consuming

Question 7

explain law making:

Answer 7

laws are constantly changing, legalised or being made illegal
may be due to influence of campaigns, media etc

Question 8

2 examples of law making:

Answer 8

homosexuality decriminalised

stalking made a specific offence

Question 9

explain homosexuality decriminalised:

Answer 9

1967-legalised with two consenting men over 21 in private
2000-age of consent legalised at 16
2014-gay marriage legalised

Question 10

explain stalking becoming a specific offence:

Answer 10

the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 was supposed to deal with stalking originally but it used the wider term harassment

there was a campaign to change the law

2012- coalition gov. created specific stalking offences