crime Flashcards
what is crime
an act or omission that is prohibited by criminal law
what are two critical ingredients of a crime?
the commission of an act and the mental intent to commit the act
what constitutes a crime
commits an act
failure to commit an act when under a legal responsibility to do so
intent to commit an act
no legal justification for committing an act
violates the criminal law
what is deviance
behavior that is contrary to the norms and values of society
why do criminologists conduct a historical analysis?
to understand criminal behavior
to understand the response of the criminal justice system
to understand factors that influence the repeal of criminal law
to understand how social, economic, and political environments may influence legislation
who are moral entrepreneurs
individuals, groups, or organizations
who seek action against certain groups of
people or certain behaviors and bring
pressure on legislators to enact criminal
statutes
what is the value consensus model?
The view that what behaviors are defined as
criminal and the punishment imposed on offenders
reflect commonly held opinions and limits of
tolerance.
what is the conflict model?
The view that crime and punishment reflect
the power some groups have to influence the
formulation and application of criminal law.
what are the two types of Canadian law
subjective and procedural laws
what is the Canadian legal system
a common law system which has a civil law system( with the exception of Quebec)
what is common law
a law that is based on
custom, tradition, and practice and is
generally unwritten
what is precedent
a judicial decision that may be
used as a standard in subsequent similar
cases
what is criminal law
That body of law that deals with conduct
considered so harmful to society as a whole
that it is prohibited by statute, and
prosecuted and punished by the government
what are the functions of the criminal law
acts as a mechanism of social control
maintains order
defines the parameters of acceptable
behaviour
reduces the risk of personal retaliation assists in general and specific deterrence
* prosecutes criminalized behaviour
* protects group interests
what are the functions of the criminal law
acts as a mechanism of social control
maintains order
defines the parameters of acceptable
behaviour
reduces the risk of personal retaliation assists in general and specific deterrence
* prosecutes criminalized behaviour
* protects group interests
