Ch 1 Flashcards
Conflict Model of Law
The belief that criminal law reflects the conflicts of interest of groups and that the more powerful the groups define the law
Consensus Model of Law
The belief that criminal law originates in the will of the majority
Costs of Crime
The costs of crime include the financial and other costs, such as psychological and health costs. Estimates have been as high as $1.7 trillion.
Crime
Violations of criminal law
Criminal Law
Violations of law that are enforced by the state in order to protect victims
Criminology
The scientific study of crime and criminal behavior
Deviance
Behavior that is outside the limits of societal toleration
Felonies
More serious crimes generally punished by at least a year in jail
Folkways
Nice customs, traditions, or less serious norms
Functional Necessity of Crime (Durkeim)
Durkheim’s theory that society defines itself by reacting to crime and wrongdoing
Gemeinschaft
A communal or folk society
Gesellschaft
An associational or heterogeneous society
Interactionist Model of Law
Says that crime is defined by abstract meanings and symbols and is a label assigned by society
Latent Functions
Unexplained, unanticipated (hidden) consequences of social activity
Laws
Codified (written) rules that are more serious norms and contain sanctions
Mala in Se
Acts that are bad in themselves
Mala Prohibita
Acts that are bad due to being prohibited
Manifest Functions
Intended or planned consequences of social arrangements
Misdemeanors
Less serious crimes that result in less than 1 year in jail
Mores
More serious informal social controls
Norms
Prescribed rules of conduct
Overcriminalization
The overuse of the criminal law as an attempt to control deviant activity
Progression of Knowledge
Comte’s theory that knowledge has historically progressed from theological to metaphysical to scientific
Undercriminalization
The underuse of the criminal law to control deviant activity
