Crime, Deviance and Social Construction Flashcards
Define crime
Serious and harmful acts which go against societal norms and values which is punishable by law
What are the 4 components of a crime?
Actus reus, mens rea, causation, lack of defense
Define a summary offence
Offences which are seen as less serious
Define an indictable offence
A more serious crime that has to be judged in a crown court by a judge and jury
What are social constructs affected by?
Location, legal system, religion, upbringing, age
Define deviance
Behaviour which goes against societal norms and values which isn’t illegal
Give an example of a mitigating circumstance
Provocation, mental illness, age, role within offence, remorse, cooperation with authorities
Define diminished responsibility
a diminished mental state which reduces someone’s responsibility without pleading insanity
Define self-defense
defense to non-sexual offences using unlawful amounts of force
Define automatism
when an offender is unaware of their actions whilst committing the offense
Define the Age of Criminal Responsibility
The minimum age that a child can be held legally responsible
How do Governments help to control laws?
Informal and Formal control
Define formal social control
where the state and official institutions enforce laws
Define informal social control
where individuals enforce written social rules in certain contexts
Name the types of Custodial sentences
Life, tariff, indeterminate, parole
