* Crime and the Law Full PEEs Flashcards
Social causes of crime:
One social cause of crime is peer pressure. Gang culture is strongly associated with criminality. Young people are especially susceptible to becoming involved in gangs. Many young people who have committed crimes are also deluded from school, meaning they miss out on some of their education which leads to social exclusion. They may feel abandoned by family, friends or teachers. Due to this, they may find a sense of belonging in a gang. For example, people that are part of gangs may be more likely to commit a crime due to the others’ expectations and actions.
Another social cause of crime is drugs and alcohol. Excessive drinking/drug use has the ability to lower inhibitions, impairing someone’s judgement and therefore increasing aggressive behaviours. For example, over the past 10 years, in 42% of all homicide cases, the person committing the crime was drunk at the time of the offence.
Economic causes of crime:
One economic cause of crime is poverty. In areas of high deprivation, there tends to be high rates of crime. People who cannot afford the latest clothes or devices, as well as the basics to survive in life, they may turn to crime to provide what they cannot afford. For example, North Lanarkshire saw a 40% increase in shoplifting in 2018 due to “destitute shoplifting”.
Another economic cause of crime is unemployment. This is an indirect cause of crime. If someone doesn’t have a stable income due to being unemployed, they may commit crime to pay for their basic needs. For example, a former high court judge claims a huge increase in joblessness caused by COVID-19 will lead to more people becoming desperate and breaking the law, leaving overstretched courts unable to cope.
Another economic cause of crime is greed. Well-off individuals from affluent backgrounds can be involved in white collar crimes such as tax evasion, fraud and insider trading. For example, former SNP MP Natalie McGarry was jailed for 18 months in 2019 for embezzling money from pro-independence groups.
Biological causes of crime:
One biological cause of crime is sex. Men are overwhelmingly the perpetrators of violent crime, committing the majority of rapes, murders and assaults. This is consistent across the world with men being responsible for the vast of violence globally. Although this is a clear pattern, it is important to note the majority of men are not violen, and there are also plenty of examples of women committing crimes. For example, crimes around the world are more likely to be committing by men than women.
Another biological cause of crime is DNA. There are some genetically inherited characteristics that either directly cause or make people more likely to commit a crime. For example, there is a gene, common in psychopaths, known as the “warrior gene” which causes a lack of empathy and, when paired with a negative upbringing, can cause people to commit crimes.
Consequences of crime on perpetrators:
One physical consequence of crime for the perpetrator is being locked up in jail. This could negatively impact their mental and physical health. For example, some perpetrators physical and mental health may decline whilst in jail, which could potentially limit their future job options.
One social consequence of crime on the perpetrator is being separated from their family and friends. Not seeing loved ones can have a negative impact on people’s mental health. Some perpetrators may also completely lose contact with loved ones after committing a crime. For example, 60% of all offenders in Scotland had mental health problems whilst in jail.
One economic consequence of crime for the perpetrator is having no income. Many perpetrators have no income as they are unable to find work due to having a criminal record. For example, some perpetrators end up homeless after serving their sentence as they have no job and therefore no income.
Consequences of crime on the victim:
One physical consequence of the crime on the victim is severe injuries or even death. Victims of violent crime may be left with scary, loss of limb, a disability, or even death. For example, many people around the world have died as a result of being a victim of violent crime.
One social consequence of crime on the victim is poor mental health. Victims of more serious crimes, such as rape and attempted murder may experience mental health issues such as anxiety or PTSD. For example, 31% of all rape victims will develop PTSD throughout their lives.
One economic consequence of crime on the victim is having to take time off work. Victims of crime may need to take time off work to cope with the stress of the incident. For example, every year nearly a million victims lost wages, 180,000 moved home and 32,000 changed their jobs as a result of crime.
Consequences of crime on society/communities:
One financial consequence of crime on society/communities is businesses losing money. Crimes such as shoplifting and fraud costs businesses in the UK billions of pounds per year. For example, in 2013, the cost of business crime in Scotland was over £5 billion.
One social consequence of crime on society/communities is ‘environmental poverty’. High crime rates cause areas to become run down, meaning high levels of vandalism and graffiti. Therefore, people may want to move away from these areas to escape crime which can result in shops closing, down leaving locals with few services. For example, win 2008, 574 people in Scotland died of drug related causes. Over a third of these deaths were in the Glasgow area.
One social/economic consequence of crime on society/communities is stereotyping. Nice an area with a high level of crime is labelled as a “bad area”, it can become stereotyped. Depopulation may occur which results in derelict housing adding to the area’s problems. House prices will fall and whole communities and young people will be labelled as ‘bad’. For example, London saw a 27% decrease in burglaries and a 41% increase in house prices.
Consequences of crime on families:
One economic consequence of crime on families is financial struggle. Families can end up with little to no financial support if a family member becomes unable to provide. If a parent was the only “breadwinner” of the family, the rest of the family would have no other source of income. For example, household incomes regularly drop by 40-50% when a parent is imprisoned.
One social consequence of crime on families is loss of emotional support. If a family member is imprisoned, the other family members may feel like they have nobody to speak to if they are struggling. This can worsen the mental health of any children in the family and having a family member in prison can be a negative role model for them. For example, only 9% of children who’s mother is in prison will be cared for by their father.
Roles of the police:
One role of the police is to prevent crime. To do this, police make themselves visible to the public by being present on foot, police horses, or in police cars. This acts as a deterrent to discourage people from committing crimes. For example, every year police monitor TRNSMT to provide a presence and discourage drug use.
Another role of the police is to control traffic. Traffic police have the responsibility of maintaining road traffic laws, managing traffic and maintaining road safety. This is important because the main issue road police deal with is drink driving. They use breathalysers to check alcohol levels in the blood of drink driving suspects. For example, on average, 7000 people are killed each year in the UK as a result of drink driving.
Police methods of tackling crime:
1) One way the police aim to tackle crime is through campus cops. Campus cops work in schools using group and individual work to help higher risk individuals, sharing information about the local area, and providing parents with information and advice.
For example, this is effective because crimes in schools decreased due to campus cop presence. (Scottish Government 2010)
OR
For example, this is ineffective because the cost-effectiveness of campus cops had been questioned due to schools using their funding to pay for campus cops, rather than spending it on educational purposes.
2) Another way the police aim to tackle crime is through the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU). The VRU deems violence as a public health issue, which allows police to work with specialists in different public services such as health, housing and education. For example, this is effective because violent crime involving knife use in Glasgow has decreased from 15 deaths in 2006-2011, to 0 in 2011-2016.
3) Another way police aim to tackle crime is through stop and searches. A police officer can stop and search/question someone if they suspect them of committing an offence or if they are believed to have witnessed a possible offence. For example, Police Chief constable Andy Cooke (2018) stated that “because there are less police officers, criminals know they’re more reluctant to engage in stop and searches- therefore criminals feel safe carrying knives and guns around.”
Stop and searches are effective because this shows that the use of stop and searches means criminals are less likely to carry weapons around.
OR
This is ineffective because this shows that police cuts mean stop and searches have decreased.
Government policies to tackle crime:
1) One government policy to tackle crime is lowering the drink drive limit. In 2014, the ‘blood alcohol’ limit decreased from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood. However, this change proved to be ineffective. For example, Strathclyde University research found that the new drink-drive limit has had little impact on road deaths/accidents.
2) Another government policy to tackle crime is the Alcohol and Minimum Pricing (Scotland) Act 2012. This means that all alcohol will have a minimum charge of 50p per unit. This mostly impacts low-cost, high alcohol percentage drinks. It aims to decrease the alcohol intake of heavy drinkers.
This policy is effective because it benefits communities. For example, there has been a decrease of ‘public nuisance’ since the introduction of minimum unit pricing.
OR
This policy is ineffective because it has done little in preventing crime. For example, there has been ‘little’ impact on alcohol related crime since the introduction of minimum unit pricing in Scotland.
3) Another government policy to tackle crime is that Alcohol (Scotland) Act 2010. This law requires shops to operate on an aged verification based on an age of 25- ‘Challenge 25’. It also band the supply of an alcoholic drink free or at a reduced price on the purchase of another alcoholic drink. For example, this policy is effective because it puts responsibility on bars, clubs, etc. to refuse alcohol served to customers becoming ‘too drunk’, therefore reducing crime in and around the venue.
Alternatives to prison:
1) One alternative to prison is a Community Payback Order (CPO). This is unpaid work that the perpetrator must complete within the first 6 months of sentencing. This could include cleaning benches and graffiti, litter picking or helping in a local charity shop.
For example, CPOs are effective because Scottish Government research shows CPOs are more effective in reducing reoffending rates than short prison sentences.
OR
For example, CPOs are ineffective because only 68% of CPOs are finished.
2) Another alternative to prison is tagging. This means that people can serve their sentences at home under curfew conditions. They are monitored by an ‘electronic tag’ which allows them to still be involved within society.
Tagging is effective because it is cost effective. For example, the cost of imprisonment for 1 year is £34,000, but the cost of an electronic tag for 1 year is £2000.
OR
Tagging is ineffective because tagging doesn’t ‘stop’ restricted behaviour. For example, the tag provides a curfew for the perpetrator to be home at but doesn’t stop people from still committing a crime when wearing it.
Aims of prisons:
1) One aim of prison is to protect society. Prison removes dangerous people from society. People who commit serious crimes such as murder are put into high security prisons to allow society to carry on. For example, this is effective because Sentencing Council found that victims of crime feel safer knowing the criminal is in prison.
2) Another aim of prison is to punish criminals. Prison takes away basic liberties from criminals. Criminals commit a crime and therefore lose their rights, being put in prison as a consequence.
For example, this is effective because prisoners cannot vote in UK general elections.
OR
For example, this is ineffective because for prisons in the UK, some people have argued that having television in cells, access to games consoles etc. has made prisons too ‘soft’.
3) Another aim of prison is to deter crime. Prison is argued to deter crime as the possibility of being sent to prison may make people think twice before breaking the law.
For example, this is effective because in Scotland the reoffending rate dropped from 32.4% in 2006/7 to 27% in 2015/16.
OR
For example, this is ineffective because research suggests that almost two-thirds of offenders who have served a short-term prison sentence re-offend within a year of being released.
Scottish Court System:
One of the Scottish Courts is the Justice of the Peace Courts. A justice of the peace is someone who is not legally qualified but has been appointed by the local community and trained in criminal law and procedure. A legally qualified clerk works with this court to provide law advice. This court deals with less serious crimes such as speeding and breach of the peace. For example, the maximum sentence this court can give is 60 days in prison and the maximum fine they can give is £2,500.
Another of the Scottish Courts is the Sheriff Courts. This court deals with the majority of cases brought to the procurator fiscal. They deal with criminal cases such as assault and drug possession, and civil cases such as adoption and divorce. Criminal cases are heard by summary procedure or solemn procedure. Civil cases are heard by summary procedure. For example, the maximum fine this court can give for a summary procedure is £10,000 and a maximum prison sentence of 12 months. For a solemn procedure, there is no limit to the fine that can be given and the maximum custodial sentence is 5 years.
Another of the Scottish Courts is the High Court. This court deals with the ‘most serious’ crimes such as murder and rape. A trial in this court is made up of a judge and a jury of 15 people who decide the overall verdict of the case. For example, the high court has unlimited sentencing powers.
Reasons for referral to a Children’s Hearing:
One reason why a child you’ll be called to a children’s hearing is if they are not attending school regularly without a reasonable excuse. This is a worry because they child is missing out on crucial education. They would discuss the reasons for their absence, whether that be anxiety, abuse, poor mental health, etc. at the hearing.
Another reason why a child would be called to a children’s hearing is if they are misusing drugs or alcohol. This is a serious concern for their health. At the hearing, topics discussed may include why they used these substances, where they got them and how they effected the child. The child will also be informed of the danger of misusing these substances on their health and ways to help them stop/decrease their intake.
Another reason why a child would be called to a children’s hearing is if they have committed a crime. This is because the child needs to be questioned as to why they committed the crime and the reasoning behind it, in order for a suitable sentence to be given.
For example, in 2019/20 12,849 referrals were made to the Scottish Children’s Reporters Administration.
For example, most referrals are made by the police (75% in 2019/20), social work departments and education.
Arguments for the Children’s Hearing Panel:
One argument for the Children’s Hearing Panel is that is keeps children out of the court system. Therefore, this is an advantage because they have no criminal record which means they have a greater chance of getting a job in the future. For example, jobs are more likely to hire people if they don’t have a criminal record.
Another argument for the Children’s Hearing Panel is that it addresses that family’s behaviour as well as the child’s. This is an advantage because it prevents all of the blame from being put onto the child and it improves the family’s attitudes and behaviours. For example, this creates a better chance of success if life for the child as it improves their upbringing.
