AC1.1 Crime And Deviancy Flashcards
What are the two elements of a criminal act?
Actus Reus
Mens rea
What does actus Reus mean?
Guilty act
What does mens rea mean?
Guilty mind
What is deviance?
Differing from the norms of society
What are Morals?
Good ways of behaving
What are values?
The principles shared by most in society, they are more general guidelines than norms
What is crime?
An act that breaks the law and is punishable
Why is it so difficult to define crime and deviancy?
As they can vary from one society to another. What may be seen as criminal or deviant in one society could be acceptable in another
What are some examples of deviant acts?
~Shouting in a library
~Pushing in queues
~Being late to school
~Not doing homework
~Shouting out in class
What are summary offences?
Less serious offenses such as speeding
—> these are tried by the magistrates
What are indictable offenses?
More serious offenses, such as murder, these are tried by by judge and jury in a crown court
What is an example of a fatal offense?
Murder
What is an example of a non-fatal offense?
Assault
What is an example of a property offense?
Arson
What is an example of a public order offense?
Riots
What is an example of a road traffic offense?
Dangerous driving
What are formal sanctions?
Penalties laid down by the law that can be imposed on those cpnvicted of a crime
What are the three main types of formal sanctions?
Custodial sentences
Community sentences
Fines
When is prison used as a punishment?
When a crime is so serious that nothing else will fit
How much time will someone spend in prison?
At least half their sentence
What factors determine the level of a fine?
How serious the offense is
How much money the offender has
What factors determine the level of a fine?
How serious the offense is
How much money the offender has
What is a discharge?
When you are sent to court but not punished
When are discharges used?
When the crime isn’t very serious and court is seen as punishment enough