AC 1.2 Flashcards
explain briefly the impact of media representations on the public perception of crime
the way in which the media portrays crime and criminals has a big impact on how the public perceives it. Media coverage can influence the public into believing that crime is increasing and that they are more at risk of becoming a victim. As a result, this can lead to a greater demand in ‘crackdowns’ and introductions of new laws from the government, police and courts
what is the deviance amplification spiral?
where attempts by authorities to control deviance produces a greater volume of deviance overall; by putting more rules on behaviour, more people end up rebelling and the spiral continues
what happens when a major criminal event is world altering?
new priorities can be produced and because of the media’s influence over the government new laws can be generated, leading the public to believe that one type of crime is more prominent and therefore impacting the overall perception of crime
what do you need to compare when looking at how law changes from culture to culture?
definition of act
legality in UK
where it is illegal
where it is legal
why the law varies
what examples can be used to show laws changing over time?
capital punishment
double jeopardy
prostitution
vagrancy
what is capital punishment?
the practice of executing someone for a crime
what was capital punishment like in the 18th century?
there were over 200 offences that could result in the death penalty, this view changed as more freedom was given
what contributed to the abolishment of capital punishment?
miscarriages of justice (Derek Bentley)
and DNA evidence
why did the law on capital punishment change over time?
because of the changing status of various social groups and their increased rights under the law
what is double jeopardy and when was it abolished?
the law that prevented a person being tried again for the same offence and it was abolished in 2003
why was double jeopardy necessary and what did it lead to?
tech and medical knowledge advanced and meant that Gary Dobson and David Norris could be prosecuted for the murder of Stephen Lawrence
what part of prostitution is legal and illegal?
prostitution is legal
kerb crawling and soliciting is illegal
what has changed over time in regards to prostitution?
society’s views have changed due to a decline in religion and an increased moral tolerance
is vagrancy legal?
no as of the Vagrancy Act 1824
how has the opinion of vagrancy changed over time?
it fell into disuse as it was accepted there were legitimate reasons for it, but more recently more prosecutions have occurred as it was taken advantage of, views have changed from disapproval (19th century) to sympathy (now)
what are 2 examples of laws changing over location?
possession of cannabis
jaywalking
how has the possession of cannabis law and views changed over location?
it is illegal in the UK but legal in Amsterdam
views changed over place it can either be for medicinal or recreational
how has the jaywalking law and views changed over location?
it is illegal in the USA, but in the UK it is seen as a personal responsibility
how have laws been applied differently according to circumstances?
age and responsibility
what is the age of criminal responsibility in UK, Canada, China and Bangladesh?
10
12
16
9
what makes something manslaughter rather than murder?
no mens rea
what is diminished responsibility?
a partial defense
what is consent?
permission by the victim
what is self defence?
reasonable force
what is automatism?
defendant not in control of actions
what 5 reasons are laws different according to place, time and culture?
changes reflecting social and moral views e.g. prostitution and campaigns such as Sarah’s Law
status of women e.g. having more than 1 wife being okay in some countries
personal responsibility not criminal (jaywalking)
more religious countries base their laws on religious books rather than others
knowledge especially health and safety e.g. smoking cigarettes laws over the past 50 years
