Crime&the Law

Question 1

What is white collar crime? Give 3 examples

Answer 1

Committed by a person of respectability and high social status. Examples; fraud, bribery,forgery

Question 2

What is blue collar crime? Give 3 examples

Answer 2

Usually committed by an individual who does not have a lot of money. Usually happens in a public place and is often in the media. Examples; robbery, theft, drug crime

Question 3

Give 3 examples of each;
Traffic crime
Property crime
Violent crime
Drug&Alcohol crime

Answer 3

Traffic; speeding, going through red lights, talking on phone
Property; robbery,vandalism,not paying rent
Violent; kidnapping,assault,murder
Drug&alcohol; buying drink for someone under age, drink driving, drug smuggling

Question 4

Reasons for crime are?

Answer 4

Social exclusion; long term unemployment, lack of education, homelessness
Peer pressure & gang culture
Drug&alcohol addiction
Greed

Question 5

Impact on crime?

Answer 5

On people; physical harm, loss of/damage to property and fear of crime.
On society; people take expensive security measures, fear of going out, fear of using public space.
Financial costs; cost of court system taxation, insurance premiums increased, treating victims of violence- NHS

Question 6

What is a custodial sentence?

Answer 6

When a persons freedom is restricted.
Sentenced prisoner-restricted
Remand prisoner-waiting for trial.
Imprisonment- length of sentence dependent on type of court the convict has been tried, education,training and drug rehabilitation services to try and stop prisoners reoffending

Question 7

Alternative to prions?

Answer 7

Fine- sum to f money paid by the convicted criminal to court.
probation order- the accused is put under supervision of a local authority officer for a fixed period of between 6 months and 3 years.

Question 8

Types of crime are?

Answer 8

White collar crime
Blue collar crime
Traffic crime
Property crime
Violent crime
Drugs&alcohol

Question 9

Describe the sheriff court?

Answer 9

Types of crime; theft,sever vandalism, assault, bigger road offences (drink driving)
5 years max prison sentence
Unlimited fine

Question 10

Describe the justice of the peace court?

Answer 10

Types of crimes; breach of the peace, minor road offences
60 days prison sentence
£2500 maximum fine

Question 11

Describe the high court?

Answer 11

Types of crime; treason,murder, terrorism, rape
Maximum prison sentence; 25 years
Unlimited fine

Question 12

Describe the first stage of a children’s hearing?

Answer 12

1) referred to a hearing by; 
Teacher
Police
Social worker
Child themselves 
Any concerned person

Question 13

Describe the second stage in a children’s hearing?

Answer 13

2) case is investigated by a children’s reporter the outcome could be;
Have a hearing
Dismiss the case

Question 14

Describe the third stage of a children’s hearing?

Answer 14

3) the hearing in the hearing the people who will be there are;
Young person, family, 3 children’s panel members, teacher,police, health professionals ( depends on individual case)
It is informal- provides a chance for all people to speak

Question 15

Describe the fourth stage of a childrens hearing?

Answer 15

4) The Result
- supervision requirement;
Could be removed from their home temporarily
Increased involvement from social workers
Reviewed every year

• no action ( deciding no intervention is needed)
• could be referred onto sheriff court if no agreement can be reached

Question 16

What is the role of the police?

Answer 16

• maintain the law- make sure people are abiding by the laws of the country. Visible presence- patrol areas where trouble is likely to occur- crime hotspots
• protect the population- be present in areas where crime might take place- big crowds- football matches. Being visible would put people off committing offences
• actively trying to prevent crime from taking place- trying to put a stop to drug trade/ terrorist activities before they take place

Question 17

How can police use technology?

Answer 17

• CCTV- to monitor areas where crime may take place, to find evidence of s crime
• speed gun- to check speed of passing vehicles
• breathalyser- to detect alcohol level in a suspects breath

Question 18

What is a custodial sentence?

Answer 18

Spending time in prison

Question 19

Advantages of a custodial sentence?

Answer 19

• keeps dangerous people off the streets
• gives people a chance to change
• gives victim/victims family a sense of justice as they see it as being a tougher sentence

Question 20

Disadvantages of custodial sentences?

Answer 20

• expensive- costs around £35,000 per prisoner per year to be kept in prion
• reoffending rates are high so it does not work- not effectively taught a lesson
• criminal record- decreases likelihood of employment
• breaks up families- impact on children