Crime Syllabus

Question 1

1. The nature of crime overview

Answer 1

• the meaning of crime
• the elements of crime: actus reus, mens rea
• strict liability offences
• causation
• categories of crime…
• summary and indictable offences
• parties to a crime…
• factors affecting criminal behaviour
• crime prevention: situational and social

Question 2

*categories of crime including

Answer 2

offences against the person, offences against the sovereign, economic offences (property/white collar/computer), drug offences, driving offences, public order offences, preliminary offences (attempts and consipracy)

Question 3

• parties to a crime including

Answer 3

principle in the first degree, principle in the second degree, accessory before the fact, accessory after the fact

Question 4

2. The criminal investigation process overview

Answer 4

• police powers
• reporting crime
• investigating crime
• arrest and charge, summons, warrants
  *bail or remand
• detention and interrogation, rights of suspects

Question 5

• investigating crime:

Answer 5

gathering evidence, use of technology, search and seizure, use of warrants

Question 6

3. Criminal trial process overview

Answer 6

• court jurisdiction
• the adversary system
• legal personnel
• pleas, charge netgotiation
• legal representation, including legal aid
• burden and standard of proof
• use of evidence, including witnesses
• defences to criminal charges
• the role of juries, including verdicts

Question 7

• legal personnel:

Answer 7

magistrate, judge, police prosecutor, Director of Public Prosecution, Public Defenders

Question 8

• defences to criminal charges:

Answer 8

• complete defences
  
  • partial defences to murder

Question 9

4. Sentencing and punishment overview

Answer 9

• statutory and judicial guidelines
• the purposes of punishment
• factors affecting a sentencing decision
• the role of the victim in sentencing
• appeals
• types of penalties
• alternative methods of sentencing including circle sentencing, restorative justice
• post-sentencing considerations

Question 9

• the purposes of punishment:

Answer 9

deterrence (specific and general), retribution, rehabilitation, incapaciation

Question 10

• factors affecting a sentencing decision:

Answer 10

aggrivating and mitigating circumstances

Question 11

• types of penalties including:

Answer 11

< check at home>

Question 12

• post-sentencing considerations, including

Answer 12

security classification, protective custody, parole, preventative detention, continued detention, sexual offenders registration, deporation

Question 13

5. Young offenders

Answer 13

• age of criminal responsibility
• the rights of children when questioned or arrested
• Children’s Court - procedures and operation
• penalties for children
• alternative to court

Question 14

6. International crime

Answer 14

• categories of international crime, including:
  
  • crimes against the international community
  • transnational crimes
• dealing with international crime:
  
  • domestic and international meausres
  • limitations