AC1.1 Criminal beh + Deviance Flashcards
Define crime
Behaviour that breaks the formal written laws of a society which individuals can be arrested, charged and prosecuted for
Define Deviance
Behaviour that differs from socially acceptable norms
Example of a behaviour that’s criminal but not deviant
Speeding = illegal but seen as socially acceptable by the maj of S
Example of a behaviour that’s both deviant and criminal
Most of the crimes that people get convicted for e.g. murder, GBH, theft etc.
Example of a behaviour that’s deviant but not criminal
Smoking
Binge drinking
What is the social definition of criminal behaviour?
Behaviour/ activity that offends the social code of a particular community
(inferring that it’s culturally dependant, ethnocentric)
What did Mower (1959) define criminal behaviour as?
‘An anti-social act’
Who defined criminal behaviour as an ‘anti-social act’?
Mower (1959)
What is the legal definition of criminal behaviour?
Act that violates public law
Most often established by governing body - vary between states/ countries
Western legal view - involves AR + MR
Western legal view is that a crime involves…
AR - voluntary act
MR - intention/ recklessness to commit a crime
Define murder
Unlawful killing of a human being under the Queen’s peace
Define manslaughter
Unlawful killing of a human being without the malice aforethought
Define domestic abuse
Any pattern of violent, coercive behaviour by those who have been/ are intimate/ family members
Define hate crime
Crime (usually violent) motivated by prejudices/ intolerance towards individual’s: national origin, race, religion,sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability
Define honour killing
Killing of a relative (especially a girl/woman) who = perceived to have brought shame/ dishonour on family
Define white collar crime
Financially motivated, non-violent crime, committed by business + government professionals
(mc)
Define cyber crime
Criminal activities carried out by means of computers or the internet
What do you need to remember when defining crimes?
Can cross over
e.g honour killing = also murder + seen as DA
What are the 4 purposes of sanctions against criminals?
- Rehabilitation
- Retribution
- Deterrence
- Incapacitation
What is the purpose of rehabilitation?
Acts to integrate criminals back into society later on
Aim = reform, not to punish them
What is the purpose of retribution?
Revenge for Vs + families involved/ affected by the offenders crimes
- Eye for an eye
What is the purpose of deterrence?
Deterrence in 2 ways (individual/general)
Way to reduce crime - ‘putting’ people off
What is the purpose of incapacitation?
Removes criminal from S
- They can’t offend again
- Protects public
Name 5 offences that carry a potential sentence of life imprisonment
- Murder (MS)
- Terrorism
- Rape
- Arson
- Armed robbery
What is a whole life tariff?
Undefined sentence
Extremely rare
Given to most serious + persistent offenders
Only released on compassionate grounds (permission form state)
e.g. Peter Sutcliffe
How does a judge decide what sentence to give?
Influenced by aggravating + mitigating factors
Judge can give a minimum tariff to be served = set by CJA 2003
e.g 4 years before chance of parole
Who is responsible for creating sentencing guidelines for a judge?
Sentencing council
What are non-custodial sanctions?
Punishments that don’t involve incarceration
What are 5 reasons why non-custodial sentences might
be more appropriate?
- Mental health requirement
- Drug/ alcohol rehabilitation
- 1st offence, against character
- Age, ability (health)
- Seriousness of the offence
What is the maximum fine from a Mag Ct?
£5,000
