criminal and deviant behaviour Flashcards
what is the social defintion for crime
where society says that a certain act is a crime so they make it one
what is the legal definition of crime
where the legal system decides whats a crime and what not a crime
in the UK’s legal system, what 2 thing do there have to be for someone to be found guilty
actus reus (guilty act)
mens rea (guilty mind)
basically meaning you have to commit a crime and intend to do it
what is strict liability
where offences are commited but mens rea isnt needed to be found guilty
e.g. a restaurant having bad hygiene
what are legal defences
these are ways you can be found not guilty even if actus reus and mens rea is present
what are the 2 main legal defences
- insanity
- self defence
what is the legal defence insanity
where the offender doesnt understand what they are doing is wrong/ illegal
what is the legal defence self defence
where the offender used resonable force to protect/ defend themselves or others
why is it difficult to define crime
even with social and legal definitions of crime. it is hard to define certain behaviours as criminal acts
what are the 2 types of sanctions
formal
informal
what is a formal sanction
they are penalties that are recognises and enforced by authoritiy figues such as police and the government to ensure people follow societys norms, values and moral codes.
they can be court based and none court based
what are some court based sanctions
custodial sentences
community service
fines
discharge
whats a custodial sentence
where the offender get immediately sentenced to prison for a mandatory and sometimes fixed time
whats community service
where the pffender has to do unpaid work to give back to the communtiy. during doing this the offender may have to be drug tested and might have a curfew
whats a fine
financial penalties- the amount depends of the severity of the crime
what is discharge
where the offender is let go but have to follow strict rules like curfew and have to check in with a probation officer. if they break any of the rules they will get sent back to prison
what are some none-court sanctions
cautions
conditional cautions
penalty notices
what are cautions
they are warnings given to police about minor crimes . they go on record but there arent any major consquences but if authority ask you if you have any you have to admit it
what are conditional cautions
they are warning from police but with that you have to follow certain rules like a curfew etc.
whats a penalty notice
these are notice given for minor crimes and only given to people older than 18
what are summary offences
these are minor crimes that are seen to by magistrates court
whats the max sentencing for summary offences
6 months inprisonment and/or up to £5000 fine
what are either way offences
these are offences that can be seen to in either crown or magistrates court
what is the sentencing for either way offences
it varies as the different courts sentence different things
what are indictable offences
these are the most serious offences that get taken straight to crown court
what is the sentencing for indictable offences
it varies but the maximum you can be sentenced in corwn court is life inmprisonment
what is deviance
an act that violates societies norms, values and moral codes (mores)
what are social norms?
norms that are expected socially. they guide the behaviour of people and explain why people act the way they act
what are moral codes
the good ways of behaving. breaking them is serious in society
what are social values
rules shared by most people in a given culture. it is what people think should happen
what is admired behaviour
behaviour that is considered good but still breaks the social norms, values and moral codes e.g. running into a fire to save someone
what is odd behaviour
not criminal behaviour but acting in a way what is seen as different
what is bad behaviour
behaviour that is law breaking and criminal
what are informal sanctions
not legally binding way to enforce social norms, values, moral codes. given by non-authority figures. e.g. silent treatment, dirty looks etc
