Crime & Law Flashcards
Social causes of crime ?
1.Adverse childhood experiences. Kids that experience Physical abuse , neglect or growing up around drugs and alcohol are more likely to become perpetrators of crime themselves.For example BBC reports people with adverse childhood experiences are 15x more likely to commit an act of violence.
2.Peer peer. Can be hard to resist,people often do various things in order to try fit in .For example around 80% of domestic abuse cases which are crimes that are all about control , had a male perpetrators and female victim.
3.Drugs and alcohol .some may commit a crime to fund their addiction or while under the influence as it can affect their understanding of right and wrong .For example the Scottish government found that just under two thirds of violent crime is committed while someone is under the influence of alcohol.
Economic causes of crime ?
1.Poverty.Those who can’t afford the basics to survive in life may turn to crime to provide what they can’t afford.For example around 25% of all crimes of dishonesty are known as “survival shoplifting” where people steal items like food and clothing from shops to help themselves and their family survive.
1.Unemployment.If someone doesn’t have the skills they need to get a job the pays enough to have a good life then they would be unemployed.Which gives them fewer options to make a living legally.For example in areas like Glasgow Maryhill where unemployment is high there are also more gangs who sell drugs and other illegal produce to make a living
3.Greed.When someone has selfish desire to get more and more of something often money. For example the former SNP MP Natalie McGary was jailed for embezzling more than £25,000 including donations intended for a food bank
Biological causes of crime?
1.Hormones.Hormones in are body affect our growth and also our brains. Men have higher level’s of the hormone testosterone than women which often make them historically more aggressive and prone to higher risk taking. For example, around 90%of all prisoners in Scottish prison are male compared to 10% who are female
2. Brain Development.In the case of young people it may be that because their brain s are not yet fully developed that they are more likely to commit crimes. For example in 2020 the BBC reported that judges in Scotland decided to try and reduce the number of 25 years olds sent to jail because evidence suggests their brains had not yet matured enough to be treated the same way as an adult.
3. Mental Disorder. People with the mental disorder of psychopathy may seem like most of society but in fact often lack remorse or feel little empathy for others. They are less likely to feel guilt or remorse for committing crimes so may be more likely to do so. For example Aaron Campbell who killed 6 year old Alesha MacPhail on the island of Bute has been labelled as a psychopath by experts who have warned he should never be let out of prison.
Consequences of Crime:Perpetrator
1.loss of freedom.Perpetrators may be imprisoned for their crime which results in a loss of freedom. Offenders who are sent to prison are more likely to experience mental health problems. For example, Andrew Wallace was jailed for 28 years after he murdered Julie Reilly.
2. social exclusion.Family and friends may no longer wish to be associated with criminals and therefore they will lose their support network.For example, Aaron Campbell has been disowned by his mum after he raped and murdered Alesha MacPhail.
3. unemployment.Perpetrators will have a criminal record which may make it difficult to get a job. Having a criminal record makes it very difficult for offenders to get a job as many employers will not employ anyone who has a criminal record. For example, it would be very difficult to get a job which requires a PVG check, such as a teacher or join the police, if you have a criminal record.
Consequences of Crime: Victim
1.physical harm.If victims are physically assaulted they can suffer an immediate impact such as physical harm. Depending on the nature of the crime there may be loss of or damage to property. For example, Julie Reilly died after being murdered by Andrew Wallace..
2. cost of repairs.Victims may have to pay for the repair or replacement of stolen or damaged items, as well as the cost of installing security systems to deter criminals from committing similar crimes again.For example, when the former Celtic boss’ home was broken into and robbed they had to pay for repairs to their £2 million home.
3.Anxiety.The aftermath (fear of crime) often far exceeds the immediate effect. Victims may develop an emotional impact such as fear or anxiety.For example, Eve Aston who survived the Manchester Arena Bombing suffered from severe anxiety after the attack, claiming she saw the bomber every time she closed her eyes, and later committed suicide.
Consequences of Crime: Families
- loss.If somebody is sent to prison the family of the perpetrator may suffer from the breakdown of family bonds. If the victim is the victim of a crime such as murder, they will suffer bereavement and the loss of a family member.For example, Alesha MacPhail’s family were devastated after the loss of their six year old daughter.
- embarrassment.Some families can experience a great deal of shame and embarrassment when a member of the family commits a crime. They can be a target of bullying or revenge attacks and can even be forced out of communities’ altogether. For example, Aaron Campbell was disowned by his mum as she was so disgusted and ashamed of his actions.
- financial loss.Families may lose the main breadwinner which may result in the loss of their home and the problems that come alongside that. They may also need to pay for funeral costs which can get expensive.For example, Craig Mclelland was a father of 3, who died after a fatal attack in Paisley. Well-wishers’ charity raised more than £5,000 to help the family pay for funeral costs.
Consequences of Crime: Communities
- loss of community spirit.High levels of crime in an area can damage community spirit. Many people living in areas with high crime levels live in fear of becoming victims of crime themselves which can lead to them becoming withdrawn and uninvolved in their local area.For example, the district of Govan feared leaving their homes after the murder of Julie Reilly.
- environmental poverty.High levels of crime in an area can contribute to what is known as ‘environmental poverty’. This is when an area looks rough and messy. For example, Easterhouse in Glasgow suffers from environmental poverty due to the run down housing, vandalism, graffiti and litter in the area.
- property value decreases.If an area becomes associated with high levels of crime and environmental poverty, it is often labelled a bad area. As a result, people are less likely to want to move there which means property prices decrease.For example, Easterhouse in Glasgow has a reputation for high levels of crime - particularly gang and drug related crimes. In Easterhouse house prices are significantly lower than average and unemployment rates are high.
Consequences of Crime: Wider Society
- fear.Many people living in areas with high crime levels live in fear of becoming victims of crime themselves which can lead to them becoming withdrawn and uninvolved in their local area.For example, the district of Govan feared leaving their homes after the murder of Julie Reilly.
- paying for a crime.Both the Scottish and UK governments spend billions of pounds dealing with the consequences of crime. To do this, the government must either increase taxes or spend more from the tax revenues they already collect. Therefore, if crime levels rise, there will be less money for other services such as education and healthcare.For example, according to the Scottish Government it costs around £35,000 a year to keep someone in prison in 2019.
Role of the courts
- Determine Guilt.The courts will hear all the arguments and evidence to decide if someone has committed a crime.For example ,The Aberdonian Grandmother lllen Murihead , was found guilty of embezzlement at the High Court in Edinburgh.
2.Punish. After deciding if someone is guilty the judge in the court must decide in what way someone should be punished for the crime.For example ,Edinburgh Sherrif Court issued rugby player Rufus McLean a community pay back order after he was found guilty for domestically abusing his then partner,Cara Haston
3.Provide Justice , The courts have a responsibility to make sure that the right person is convicted and their victims know that crimes have taken place . For example The family of Julie Riley said that after the trail at the Glasgow High Court that they felt had justice because the killer Andrew Wallace had been convicted.
Power of the courts.
- Custodial sentence.The courts will decide that someone should be imprisoned for the crimes they have committed, it is often the most serious punishment that the courts can issue . For example, the High Court in Glasgow sentenced Andrew Wallace to jail for the murder of. Julie Reilly
2.Community sentence. The courts can order someone to complete their punishment in the community through sentences such as community service, a home detention curfew ,or an Anti social Behaviour order. For example , Edinburgh sheriff court issued rugby player Rufus McLean a community pay back order after he was found guilty for domestically abusing his then partner, Cara Carson
3.Financial Penalty. Some perps may receive a financial punishment such as having to pay a fixed
penalty for offences such as speeding or something much bigger depending on the crime. For example the High Courts in Edinburgh is deciding how much Colleen Muirhead who embezzled £1.5 million from her employer should be ordered to pay.
Arguments courts are effective
1.Imprison perpetrators of crime .All three criminal courts are able to send someone to prison for the crimes they have committed as a good way of punishing them for their crimes ,forcing them to take responsibility for their actions . For example , many will feel that sending Kevin Gurthie to prison after he sexually assaulted a women in Glasgow is an effective way the courts have responded to crime.
2.Deter people from committing crimes . A key role of the courts is to punish offenders for what they have done so other potential criminals might be put off committing crimes after seeing how others were punished. For example the courts can issue together punishments for those who have committed hate crimes as a way of deterring people from being racist or homophobic.
3. Keep the public safe. By locking up dangerous criminals the courts can keep people off the streets who might otherwise commit horrific crimes. For example by locking up Aaron Campbell for raping and murdering Alesha MacPhail the courts are stopping this potential psychopath from harming others.
Arguments Courts Are Not Effective
- High reoffending rates. Where people the courts punished have not addressed the reason why they committed the crimes and go onto commit more crimes meaning the the punishment isn’t good enough to stop the crime. For example the Scottish government has had to ban courts from issuing short sentences of less than 12 months in most cases as reoffending rates were as high as 30%. Therefore one reason the courts are ineffective at tackling crime is because they are issuing sentences that don’t prevent future crimes 1/3rd of the time.
2.victims become re traumatised .one purpose of the courts to provide justice to the victims but many people who go through the experience of rape cases report that they are so badly treated that they wouldn’t recommend to others to report crimes meaning justice will not be served. For example , in 2023 the victims of Logan Doig reported how they felt battered and bruised after the trials by the lawyers and have been working with leading judges in Scotland to try make things better.
3.Some guilty people get away. In Scotland conviction rates for rape and attempted rape are the lowest of all crimes where most reported never even make it to court but when they do so few are convicted than with other crimes .For example 51% of rape /attempted rape cases that go to trial get convicted compared to 91% for all other crimes
Roles of the children’s hearing system
1.Listen and make legal decisions with and for children and young people . The panel of volunteers will hear information from young people and key adults in an informal setting on which they base their decisions. For example the panel may decide to impose a compulsory supervision order stating where the young person may live.
2.Deal with young people who are committing offences. This is when the panel will hear the concerns about a child who has been breaking the law and with them and and other organisations work to address the reasons the crimes are taking place . For example 75% of referrals to the hearing systems come from police .
3.Support Vulnerable children and young people . Often the hearing system will look into the cases of young people who are at risk of abuse or neglect and consider what steps are needed to protect them and keep them safe .For example between 2021-22 the CHS held over 21,000 hearings to protect and support nearly 11,000 children.
Powers of the children’s hearing system
1.Have a child supervised on their home . The child is able to live at home with their pedants or careers but that they will face supervision from a social worker who will come visit . For example , someone who has been truanting from school may face regular visits from a social worker to discuss and monitor their attendance.
2.Remove a child from their home . The child will be removed from their home to live in the children’s home ,Foster home or residential school for their protection and welfare. For example someone may be removed from their home if they have been a victim of abuse beyond prenatal control or are unsafe.
3.Warrant to secure attendance. When a panel and reporter have to issue a warrant because a child may not have attended a hearing or it is beloved that they may be in immediate danger. For example if a child or young person didn’t attend a warrant would allow the police to seek them out take them into custody . It also allows them to break down doors to do so.
Structure of the courts
- The highest level of court in Scotland is High Court they deal with cases such as murder and have the power to give unlimited fines and unlimited prison sentences. Stefan McCormack was sentences to life in prison.
- The middle level of court in Scotland is sheriff court they deal with cases such as drug dealing and have power to give £5000 fine and six months prison sentence.For example Katie Allan was sentenced to 16 months in prison at the Paisley Sheriff Court
- The lowest level of court in Scotland is justice of the peace court they deal with cases such as minor salts and have the power to give people a £2500 fine and the 60 day prison sentence.For example Daniel McHugh 26-year-old Rangers fan admitted to a breach of the peace and was fined £400.
Nature of crime
- One group of people in the UK that is more likely to be affected by crime is poor people. because these people are from lower class, they are more likely to live in poverty and not be able to afford to live in safer areas or pay for security systems evidence to support this is the taking stock of Scottish violence report found that poor people are 30 times more likely to be murdered.
- Another group in the UK that is more likely to be affected by crime is ethnic minorities. often these people are victims of crime because of the colour of their skin the race they belong to or where their family were born. This is racism. Evidence to support this is 62% of hate crime is directed at ethnic minorities.
- Another group in the UK that is more likely to be affected by crime is LGBTQ+ people. Often people who sexual orientation isn’t heterosexual have been attacked this is homophobia or biphobia. evidence to support this is 26% of hate crime is directed at LGBTQ + people.
Extent of crime
- One way the highlights crime in Scotland is an increase in problem is that non-sexual.Violent crimes have increased in recent years the number of crimes in society that are violent in nature but not sexual such as common assault murder etc having increased.For example sexual crimes having increased 1% since 2013-14
2.Another way that highlights that crime in Scotland isn’t increasing problem is the fact that sexual claims have increased. in recent years the number of crimes and society that come to a sexual crimes such as rape sexual assault etc have gone up. For example, sexual crimes of increase 70% since 2013 -14. - Another way that highlights crime in Scotland is an increase in problem is crimes of dishonesty have increased. In recent years, the number of crimes such as fraud embezzlement and shoplifting has gone up. For example, crimes of dishonesty have increased 11% since 2021 -22.
Roles of police
- Prevent crime from Happening. police will often launch campaigns to make people more aware of crime. It’s either target to general public to help them prevent becoming a victim or target potential perpetrators to stop them from committing crime. For example police Scotland have launched new campaigns each year and in 2020 they were raising awareness for disability hate crime as a part of #Don’tTolerateHateampaign.
- Protect & property from crime. The police try to protect the public and property in many different ways police presence is often a major deterrence of crime. For example during old firm matches between Rangers and Celtic in Glasgow police present is high in order to protect the public in case of any violent breakouts.
- Investigate. Depending on the crime that have happened or are suspected to happen Police Scotland will utilise the resources that it has to investigate crimes. This includes the different departments and the powers that they have. For example, police Scotland spent over a year investigating the murder of Julie Riley.
Powers the police.
- Detain & arrest. The police have the power to detain a person at police station for 24 hours for questioning or arrest a person and charge them with a crime they have seen them committing. For example at transmit festival in 2021 the police arrested 41 people for a fact including drug possession, minor assault and breach of the peace.
- Stop and search. Police Scotland officers can stop and search a person without having a search warrant if the officer suspect the person being in possession of drugs offensive weapon ,stolen property or alcohol if travel to major sporting events. For example in Scotland it is illegal to drink alcohol at football games so if the police think someone has alcohol when trying to answer the game they can stop and search them .
3 Enter a premises. With a key role of the police being to protect people and investigate crimes or potential crimes they will need to be able to go into peoples homes and businesses in order to look for people who might be missing or even be a perpetrator in order to be effective. For example, police entered the homes of our combo as a part of their investigation into the murder of Alesha McPhail who he had murdered.
Structure of the police
- Locality policing. This is the branch of police you’re most likely to see out and about as they work with the localcommunity to address problems. For example, Lochside Academy has a campus who is there to build a relationship between the police and student as well as deal with any issues.
- Specialist crime division. The specialist comb derision provides specialist investigative and intelligence functions when a serious crime takes place or public safe when it is under threat from criminals. example the public protections unit will attend the large events such as football games and music festivals to do crowd control.
- Crime and operational support. This department might not be needed for every case they are also not always in the same area of the country every day and so they operate nationally and they are called in when needed. For example, the dog and air unit are both examples of support teams who could be called in to help with a missing persons case.
