crime and law 2nd half Flashcards
what are the 4 main roles of the police?
to maintain law and order
to detect criminals
crime prevention
public protection
name one way in which the police tackle crime.
the police are effective as they prevent crime
one of the 4 main roles of the police is to prevent crime. The police can prevent crime through the use of cctv cameras. This means if they are set up in prominent positions in major cities it can deter people from committing crimes as they know they could be identified easily. For example Aberdeen has just over 1000 cameras that could be accessed to find evidence and there are over 12000 operating in Scotland.
suggest another way in which the police are trying to tackle crime.
the police are effective as they prevent crime
Another way the police prevent crime is through community policing initiatives. This means local officers can visit schools to talk to youngsters about the dangers of drugs. For example, in Glasgow the violence reduction network works in partnership with schools, local authorities, social work and employers to have joined up solutions to prevent young people committing crime.
how effective are the police?
The police are effective as crime is falling
The police are effective as crime is falling. This means the number of crimes recorded by the police has decreased due to the action they are taking in relation to crime. For example recorded crime in scotland has fallen from around 410,000 recorded crimes in 2009/10 to around 280,000 in 2021-22.
how ineffective are the police?
the police are ineffective as they make mistakes
the police are ineffective as they make mistakes. This means they can do things wrong which may cause harm to the public. For example thug cops battered and terrorised mum after plain clothes officers raided the wrong house. The mum says she was diagnosed with PTSD after having her front door kicked in by three officers.
the police are ineffective as they are short staffed.
The police are ineffective as they are short staffed. This means they do not have enough staff to cover all of the jobs they need done and respond to reports of crime fast enough which can be dangerous and put peoples lives at risk. For example Police Scotland face a staffing crisis as 1000 officers quit in just 10 months in 2022.
one way the police are effective in tackling crime is through police initiatives.
one way the police try and reduce crime is through police initiatives. The police launch initiatives to tackle specific types of crime. An example of this is the air weapon surrender campaign launched in 2016. The purpose of this campaign was to encourage people to get rid of their air weapons as it is now illegal to carry one without a license.
explain in detail why Scottish courts are effective in tackling crime.
Scottish courts are effective in tackling crime as they can imprison dangerous people
Scottish courts are effective in tackling crime as they have the power to imprison dangerous people. This is because the High Court can sentence those convicted of the the worst crimes to unlimited time in prison, keeping them off the streets. For example, in 2019 teenager Aaron Campell was sentenced to life in prison for the abduction, rape and murder of 6-year-old Alesha McPhail on the Isle of Bute, therefore he cannot harm another child.
Explain in detail why Scottish courts are effective in tackling crime
reoffending
Scottish courts are effective in tackling crime as they can support people to deal with problems to prevent them reoffending. This is because some sentences aim to help people to deal with the issues that led them to commit a crime in the first place such as drug misuse. For example the Sheriff Court can impose a Drug Treatment and Testing Order on those convicted of drugs related offences to help them beat their addiction.
explain in detail why courts are not effective in tackling crime
Courts are ineffective as sentences given by courts don’t work. This means that non - custodial sentences don’t always work and that people don’t complete their sentences or go on to re offend. For example Scottish government figures show that in 2021-22 26% of community payback orders were not completed
what are the three types of courts?
justice of the peace court
sheriff court
high court
justice of the peace court
- how does it operate?
- real life example
- punishment
A justice of the peace is a lay magistrate, appointed from within the local community and trained in criminal law and procedure.
Justices sit either alone, or in a bench of three, and deal with the less serious summary crimes, such as speeding, careless driving and breach of the peace.
The maximum fine you can receive from the justice of the peace court is £2500 & the maximum prison sentence you can receive is 60 days
describe the sherrif court
example, operates, types of crime
The Sheriff Court deals with any more serious crimes committed in the area except for murder, rape, organised crime and terrorism.
Common types of case heard are:
Drink driving
Assault
Burglary
Minor fraud
it operates in 2 ways
- the summary procedure (sheriff)
you can receive a £10,000 fine or up to 12 months imprisonment
- the solemn procedure (sheriff & jury)
you can receive unlimited fines and up to 5 years imprisonment.
example - a 24 year old man was charged after £26500 drug stash seized.
describe the high court
how does it work
example, types of crime
The High Court deals with the most serious crimes e.g. murder, attempted murder, rape, terrorism, drugs offences
In the High Court, a senior judge will hear the cases (along with the jury) and decide on sentences if the defendant is found guilty.
Sentences that can be given are unlimited imprisonment, unlimited fines, and all community-based sentences. Anyone convicted of murder receives a life sentence
for example carers Avril Jones and Edward Cairney were jailed for murdering Margaret Fleming
what are the two types of sentencing options
custodial (prison)
non - custodial (no prison)
what is a children’s hearing?
the children’s hearing system deals with young people who get into trouble with the police and other cases where young people may need support
who can attend a children’s hearing?
the child will always have someone they know at a hearing e.g family, a teacher, a social worker ect. Three panel members will attend, these are volunteers from the local community. A children’s reporter investigates the case
why might a child be referred for a children’s hearing?
Children may be referred for many reasons such as
1. If they have been in trouble with the police
2. if they have not been going to school
3. If someone is worried that they are not being cared for properly
4. If they have been drinking alcohol or taking drugs
5. If their behaviour has been causing concern at home, school or in the community.
who can refer a child for a children’s hearing?
often the police refer a child but it could also be made by the child’s school or a concerned member of the public.
what happens at the meeting
there will be a pre hearing panel where some decisions are made about the meeting. The panel members will listen to the child and ask questions about them, there may be a safeguarder to help make a decision on what will happen next for that child.
what can a reporter do once a child has been referred to them?
a reporter can decide if
1. No further action is needed
2. To arrange a children’s hearing
3. To refer the young person and their family for voluntary support from the local community.
identify one government response to crime and give evidence to suggest it is both effective and ineffective.
One government response to crime is the no knives better lives campaign. This was put in place by the government in 2009 to reduce knife crime and it’s impacts. Evidence to suggest that nkbl is effective is that between 2011-2016 no one under the age of 20 died in an incident involving a knife in Glasgow. Evidence to suggest that it was not effective is that knife crime continues to be a problem in Scotland like the case with Daniel Haig who had previous knife convictions going on to stab and kill 14 year old justin McLaughlin at Glasgow queen street station.
identify a second government response to crime and give evidence to suggest it is both effective and ineffective.
one government response to crime is minimum unit pricing. This means since may 2018 it is illegal for a unit of alcohol to cost less than a set price in Scotland. Evidence to suggest this is effective is that based on comparisons with England, analysis by public health Scotland estimates that there were 13.4% fewer deaths related to alcohol than would have happend without the policy. Evidence to suggest it is not effective is that in recent years the government has found around 2/3 of serious assaults are still committed whilst under the influence.
describe one alternative to prison (non custodial punishment) fine
One alternative to prison is being given a fine. This means someone is punished by being asked to pay money to the court (fines then go to the government). This is common if someone has been convicted of motoring offences or more minor crimes. For example police Scotland issued over 20,000 fixed penalty notices to people around Scotland who broke COVID restrictions during 2021. This is not a good alternative as if the person doesn’t pay the fine they will go to prison anyway
