1.1 - crime and deviance Flashcards
Unit 2
What does crime and deviance cause?
Threats to normal values and behaviours of a society.
What is a value?
A general principle or guideline for how people should live their lives.
- defining right and wrong.
What is a norm?
A specific rule or socially acceptable standard.
- norms often differ between cultures
What is the purpose of a norm?
- Norms keep deviance in check.
- Norms acn be explicit (law) or implicit (judgement).
- Norms are instilled by culture.
- Most often norms link to values.
Violating a norm is deviance
What is deviance
Behaviour that violates norms, moral codes and values or is unusual and uncommon.
Types of deviance
- Unusual and good -
(saving someones life) - Unsual and eccentric -
(talking to trees) - Unusual and bad -
(crime)
Sanctions for deviance
- Formal sanctions
- Informal sanctions
- Positive sanctions
All sanctions are forms of social control, seeking to control behaviour
What is a formal sanction
A sanction enforced by officials (police, courts, school). formal sanctions are caused by breaking a written rule / law.
Sanction - a mean of enforcement used as an incentive for obedience
What is a informal sanction
A sanction not imposed by officials, however disaproval is shown through the reactions of society
(dirty looks, getting cancelled). informal sanctions are caused by breaking informal rules or norms.
Sanction - a mean of enforcement used as an incentive for obedience
What is a positive sanction
A reward for behaviour that society approves of
(medals, house points, praise). can be both formal and informal.
Sanction - a mean of enforcement used as an incentive for obedience
Moral code
A set of basic rules, values and principles that an individual or organisation is held to.
Breaking moral codes is deviance
What is criminal behaviour
A form of deviance that involve serious harmful acts that wrong society.
Crime is punished by law due to the amount of disruption it causes
What is a Crime
Any action that is against criminal law. however for the court to be able to convict a criminal they must be able to prove an actus reus and mens rea.
However sometimes actus and mens rea are not needed to convict
What is an Actus Reus
Guilty Act.
What is a Mens Rea
Guilty Mind.
What is strict liability
(times when Actus and Mens Rea are not both needed for conviction)
In some circumstances the mens rea is not required as the act alone is enough to give a conviction.
For example breech of H&S laws
What is self defence
(times when Actus and Mens Rea are not both needed for conviction)
Assault with deliberate intent to harm is a criminal act, however when a person does so when they are in danger it is self-defence, and not a crime as long as reasonable forece is used.
What are the two main offfence types
-
Summary offences - less serious, tried in magistrates court
(speeding, shoplifting, vandalism). -
Indictable offences - more serious, tried in crown court.
(rape, murder, assault)
examples of ;
Violence against the person
- Murder
- Assault
- Manslaughter
examples of ;
Sexual offences
- Rape
- Sex Trafficking
- Grooming
examples of ;
Offences against property
- Burglary
- Robbery
- Theft
examples of ;
Offences against the person
- Investment fraud
- Ponzi schemes
examples of ;
Criminal damage
- Arson
examples of ;
Drug offences
- Supplying restricted substances
- Possessing restricted substances
- DUI
examples of ;
Public order offences
- Rioting
- Violent disorder
Formal sanctions that people convicted of crime can face ;
Custodial sentences
Imprisonment or detention in an institution
The length of sentencing can vary form days to life -
(those serving life sentences are often elegible for parole after 15 years, however courts dictate how long the minimum sentence is).
Formal sanctions that people convicted of crime can face ;
Community sentences
Served in the community instead of jail
The type of community sentence is dependent on the court, including probation orders, curfew restrictions. mandatory courses, drug testing and treatment ordere and community payback.
Formal sanctions that people convicted of crime can face ;
Fines
Financial penalties
A set amount of money set to be owed by the offender, dependent on the seriousness of the offence, whether it is a repeat offence and the offenders ability to pay.
- Some offenders may be allowed to pay in installments.
- Offers victim compensation, but might not be effective at repairing psychological trauma from event.
Formal sanctions that people convicted of crime can face ;
Discharge
A conditional discharge
The offender committing no further offences for a period of time set by the court. if the individual is caught committing a crime whilst on a discharge sanction they may not only face the current sentence but the previous sentence also.
Formal sanctions that people convicted of crime can face ;
Unconditional / absolute discharge
Not classed a conviction
When a defendant is technically guilty, however punishment would be inappropriate.
3 types of sanctions ;
Police can also issue sanctions to an offender outside of court
- Cautions
- Conditional cautions
- Penalty notices
What is a ;
Caution
A warning given to anyone over the age of criminal responsibility for minor crimes.
(graffiti, antisocial behaviour)
What is a ;
Conditional cautions
Certain rules and restrictions that must be followed else legal consequences may be faced .
(mandatory drug / alcohol rehab)
What is a ;
Penalty notices
(fines)
Issued for minor crimes like shoplifting or possetion of cannabis, they are used as alternatives to convictions and can be appealed if disagreed with.
Further implications of committing a crime are
- Exclusion from certain occupations
- Travel restrictions and bans preventing travel to certain countries
- Placement on the violent and sex offenders registry
- Restrictions on adoption, jury service or standing as an MP
- Having to declare unspent convictions on insurance
