Unit 2- Crime And The Law

Question 1

What is white collar crime?

Answer 1

White collar crime includes fraud, bribery and money laundering.
People who work in offices and in sales roles are referred to as ‘white collar workers’

Question 2

What is blue collar crime?

Answer 2

People who work doing manual labour such as gardener and called ‘blue collar workers’ blue collar crime is likely to be assault or breaking and entry

Question 3

What is theft and fraud?

Answer 3

Theft is when a person takes the personal property of another without their permission or consent.

Fraud is an act of deception intended for personal gain

Question 4

What are assault and rape?

Answer 4

Assault is when a person directs an attack or physically harms another person
Rape is sex without consent, in Scotland rape can only be committed by men

Question 5

What is murder?

Answer 5

An intent to kill or an act of wicked recklessness

Question 6

What are some common causes of crime?

Answer 6

Poverty- people who live in poverty may be more vulnerable to becoming involved in crime, it offers a way for people to obtain goods they can’t afford
Lack of education- young people who grow up in families that don’t value education are more likely to get involved in drug and alcohol abuse, and join gangs
Peer pressure- many behave in ways the group approves of to feel like they belong. This can lead to involvement in drugs and alcohol which leads criminal activity

Question 7

What is the impact of crime on local communities?

Answer 7

Crime can make daily life a struggle for people across the UK
Anti- social behaviour can ruin the quality of community life
Examples of anti- social behaviour include:
Nuisance neighbours
Intimidating groups taking over public areas
Vandalism
People taking and buying drugs on the street

Question 8

What is the impact of crime on the victim?

Answer 8

Many victims go through a difficult adjustment period
The stress and trauma is usually a reaction to the loss of safety and security brought about by the crime
They may feel fearful, angry or revengeful
They may be anxious, suspicious of everyone and vulnerable

Eg/ in the 2011 England riots 2500 shops and businesses were damaged

Question 9

What is the role of the police in Scotland?

Answer 9

Maintain law and order and protect persons and property
Detect criminals and play a part in the early judicial process
Prevent crime
Control road traffic

Question 10

How do the police prevent crime?

Answer 10

They can have a physical community presence
Police patrols can be conducted on foot, on horseback or on bikes
They also educate people on the consequences of crime by doing school visits

Question 11

Describe the justice of the peace court

Answer 11

These replaced district courts. They deal with less serious criminal cases and road traffic cases. The judge is called a justice of the peace.

Question 12

What’s the maximum sentence that a JP can impose?

Answer 12

£2,500 fine and 60 days imprisonment

Question 13

Describe the sherif court

Answer 13

The judge is a qualified lawyer who must have at least 10 years legal experience.
In summary cases (less serious) there is not jury, the sherif decides is the accused is guilty or not and decides the sentence 
In solemn (more serious) there is a sherif and a jury. The jury decides weather the accused is guilty or not and the sherif decides the sentence
If the sherif thinks the crime deserve me a higher sentence than they can give they can refer the case to the High Court for sentence

Question 14

What the maximum sentence that a sherif can impose?

Answer 14

Summary- £5000 fine and 12 months imprisonment

Solemn- unlimited fine and 5 years in prison

Question 15

Describe the high court

Answer 15

Deals with the most serious cases
Involves a judge and jury
The court also deals with all criminal appeal cases

Question 16

What are the aims of court sentences?

Answer 16

To punish the offender
Reduce crime
Reform and rehabilitate offenders
Protect the public
Retribution

Question 17

What’s the maximum sentence in the high court?

Answer 17

Unlimited fine

Unlimited prison sentence

Question 18

What is a children’s hearing?

Answer 18

It is a legal meeting arranged to consider and make decisions about children and young people who are having problems in their lives and who may need legal steps taken to help them

Question 19

What is the Children’s hearing system?

Answer 19

Children and young people who face serious problems in their lives can be asked to go to a meeting called a Children’s hearing. These problems may include not attending school, criminal behaviour, or being neglected at home

Question 20

What decisions can be made at a hearing?

Answer 20

To discharge the case if formal supervision measures are not needed
To continue the hearing at a later date if they need more information to help make a decision
To issue a warrant to keep the child in a safe place until the next hearing
To make a supervision requirement if they think that compulsory measures of supervision are needed

Question 21

What are alternatives to prison?

Answer 21

Community payback order- this can impose a range of penalties from carrying out unpaid work to attending programmes which address behavioural issues and underlying problems
Fines- an order to pay money to the court.
Admonition- a warning given to the person found guilty of the crime. There is no fine or imprisonment however this is recorded on a criminal record

Question 22

How are young offenders dealt with?

Answer 22

When a male aged between 16 and 21 commits a crime and is sentenced to a period of imprisonment he will usually go to Polymont.
Sentences range from six months to life