Deterrence/Rational choice/routine activities theories

Question 1

What is deterrence theory?

Answer 1

certain factors influence an individual’s decision to commit a crime and the legal ssystem can be used to affect that decision

Question 2

what is rational choice theory?

Answer 2

people break the law because they believe crime will provide a reward

Question 3

routine activities theory

Answer 3

crime will not occur unless there is a motivated offender, a suitable target, and ineffective guardianship of that target.

Question 4

What is deterrence theory based on?

Answer 4

Beccaria’s Classical Theory: people rationally calculate the consequences of their behaviour
- swift, severe, certain to order: punishment is best way to prevent + control crime

Question 5

Research on effective punishment?

Answer 5

certainty of punishment is more important than the severity

hard to increase certainty tho

Question 6

Does imprisonment deter crime?

Answer 6

long prison sentences “are difficult to justify on a deterrence-based, crime prevention basis”

• imprisonment may increase recidivism
• turning 18 (adult sentence) does little to deter crime.

Question 7

examples of increasing the certainty of punishment?

Answer 7

-operation ceasefire: in Boston, individuals told violent behaviour would not be tolerated, emphasized measures to enhance certainty of punishment. = effective.

McCluskey: Brought Glasgow’s gangs together; showed them their involvement in crime, gave them community options to get out of crime. viewed violence as disease.
Glasgow smile - like the joker.
- certainty + personalization + alternatives = effective

Question 8

rational choice: crime is result of ?

Answer 8

deliberate choices made by offenders based on their calculation of the risks + rewards.

Question 9

rational choice theory

- offender choice has 3 elements

Answer 9

1. specific situation (enviro: street lights, cameras decreases crime)
2. perceptions of the risks + rewards
3. selection of target + proceeding with crime

Question 10

research on offender choices?

Answer 10

short term costs + benefits > long term considerations

Question 11

2 rational considerations

Answer 11

1. those of the offender
2. those of the offence
   - crime depends on personal decision made after one has weighed available info

Question 12

routine activities theory: 3 factors that must be present for crime to occur?

Answer 12

1. motivated offender (change in lifestyle changes likelihood of committing crime)
2. suitable target
3. lack of guardianship of the target (lifestyle changes likelihood of victimization)

Question 13

what is lifestyle/exposure theory

Answer 13

some people put themselves in social settings with a high risk of victimization
- some more likely to be repeatedly victimized.

Question 14

situational crime prevention

- reduce opportunities for crime (5 ways)

Answer 14

1. increasing EFFORT required to commit
2. increase RISK
3. reduce REWARDS
4. reduce PROVOCATIONS
5. remove EXCUSES

Question 15

MMS

Answer 15

cali 3 strike laws.

• increase cost
• dont reduce crime rate

Question 16

why does severe penalty no t deter crime?

Answer 16

• don’t think they’ll get caught
• unlikely to lead to punishment
• most reported offences =/=> arrest, arrest =/=>conviction =/=> prison
• affected by substance, mental health = bad choice
• unaware of sentence they face
• prosecutor/judge can evade punishments of MMS
• existing level of punishment is severe enough for most.

Question 17

two increases in certainty of punishment (broad)

Answer 17

hot spots policing

individualized deterrence

Question 18

what is environmental criminology?

Answer 18

environmental opportunities they encounter in course of activities influence decisions to commit criminal acts.

• commit crime on path
• node: important place
• path: road between nodes
• edges:boundaries/barriers

Question 19

define intimate handler?

Answer 19

sufficient knowledge of potential offender to control the offender

Question 20

define handled offender?

Answer 20

individual susceptible to informed social control by virtue of his/her bonds to society

Question 21

3 types of facilitators

Answer 21

physical: objects
social: peers who teach, or support
chemical: substance that reduces inhibition

Question 22

indictable vs summary

Answer 22

indictable: on criminal record. goes away after 1- years.
summary : may be on crim record for 5 years. doesnt always go on record tho.

crimes are strictly one or the other, or hybrid.

Question 23

prosecutor: role?

Answer 23

choose the charge that they want to assume the burden of proof of

• what best fits the facts, what will they agree to in guilty plea (easier than trial)
• look at process for witnesses etc.

Question 24

two fundamental guidelines for prosecutors?

Answer 24

1. reasonable likelihood of conviction: what can be proved beyond reasonable doubt
2. public interest test: what you can prove, but do you want to prosecute? sympathetic aspect, dont waste tax payer money

Question 25

standards of proof

Answer 25

1. mere suspicion. low, law doesnt recognize
2. reasonable suspicion: average canadian would think the same.
3. reasonable + probably grounds. police satisfy, honest belief that person committed
4. proof on the balance of probability: suing, happened more likely than not
5. proof beyond reasonable doubt: moral certainty. prosecution fulfills
6. absolute truth

Question 26

role of defense council

Answer 26

help accused through the process. advice, ensure fair trial, saves time, ensure crown has evidence that’s fairly obtained.
- will probs advice to take guilty plea.

Question 27

reversing the burden

Answer 27

asking accused why they didnt defend themselves.

no, up to crown to prove their guilt.

Question 28

how much of the cases are settling + pleas?

Answer 28

85-90%

Question 29

aggravating factors?

Answer 29

position of trust
if on bail
age of victim
where it occured

Question 30

mitigating factors?

Answer 30

age of offender
early guilty plea
genuine remorse
no criminal record
cooperation with authorities

Question 31

victim rights

Answer 31

charter focuses on offender/accused rights.

• victims fought for their rights.
• victim impact statements
• victim views taken into account when making decision for prosecutor + judges.

Question 32

specialized courts

Answer 32

drug treatment

mental health court.