Explain the social construction of criminality Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of adultery?

A

When two people have sexual relations when one or both are married to other people

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2
Q

What is Adultery’s legality in the UK?

A

It is not considered to be a criminal offence but it may have legal consequences such as a divorce

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3
Q

Where is adultery legal?

A

In the UK and European countries

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4
Q

Where is adultery illegal?

A
  • countries governed by Islamic law such as Saudi Arabia
  • almost half of the states in the USA consider it a crime but only as a minor offence
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5
Q

Why does the legality of Adultery vary in different cultures?

A
  • religion, the Bible states that adultery is a sin
  • may relate to the status of women who are owned by their husbands and could be treated as property
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6
Q

What is the definition of honour crimes?

A

Crimes where the accused have brought shame on their family such as by refusing to enter an arranged marriage

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7
Q

What is honour crimes legality in the UK?

A

These actions are crimes and if a killing is involved it is murder

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8
Q

Where is honour crime legal?

A

Most honour crimes take place within Asian and Middle Eastern families

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9
Q

Where is honour crime illegal?

A

In the UK, Europe, USA, Pakistan, etc…

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10
Q

Why does the legality of honour crimes vary in different cultures?

A

Such crimes are thought to have originated from tribal customs, where the allegation against a woman can damage a families reputation

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11
Q

What is the definition of homosexuality?

A

sexual attraction between people of the same sex

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12
Q

What is homosexuality’s legality in the UK?

A

Once it was illegal but was decriminalised in 1967 with age consent, initially civil partnerships and same-sex marriages can also take place

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13
Q

Where is homosexuality legal?

A

In the UK, Europe, USA and Canada

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14
Q

Where is homosexuality illegal?

A

India, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen and Nigeria

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15
Q

Why does the legality of homosexuality vary in different cultures?

A
  • religion, for example the Bible says that it is a sin
  • in some cultures it is against the norms which results in intolerance or prejudice
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16
Q

How did the law for capital punishment change over time?

A
  • in the 18th century there were over 200 offences for which the death penalty was a punishment
  • the laws were made by the rich to protect themselves and their property and the laws were focused on the poor who were viewed as lazy
  • now capital punishment is mostly frowned upon and approximately 109 countries have abolished capital punishment
17
Q

Why has the law for capital punishment changed over time?

A
  • the changing status of various social groups in society and their increased rights under the law
  • cases showed a miscarriage of justice which not be put right if the person was deceased such as the Timothy Evans case
18
Q

How did the law for double jeopardy change over time?

A
  • the law prevented a person being tried again for the same offence
  • now people can go to trial as many times needed even if they have been said to be not be guilty
19
Q

Why did the law for double jeopardy change?

A

Ann Mings campaign resulted in the law being abolished meaning that people can be tried for the same offence

20
Q

Name a case example where the double jeopardy law was abolished

A

The prosecution of Gary Dobson and David Norris for the murder of Stephan Lawrence

21
Q

How did the law of protestation change overtime?

A
  • prostitution was known as the world’s oldest profession and the act itself was legal but many activities connected to it were illegal
  • society’s views changed as there was a decline in people believing in religion and an increase in moral tolerance
22
Q

Why did the law of protestation change overtime?

A

It became illegal as there was cancer for the women’s safety and people were sometimes involved in prostitution against their will

23
Q

How does the law of possession of cannabis differ in different places?

A
  • possession of cannabis is illegal in the UK yet there has been calls to decriminalise it such as for medical purposes.
  • In countries such as Columbia it is legal
  • some countries view it as a recreational drug and others believe that medical properties should take priority over its legality
24
Q

How does the law of jaywalking differ in different places?

A
  • it is when individuals cross a road without regard to traffic regulations
  • it is an offence in most urban areas such as in the USA, Canada and Singapore
  • in the UK Jaywalking is not an offence because it is considered a personal responsibility to cross the road safely.
25
Q

How does the law of FGM (female genital mutilation) differ in different places?

A
  • it is the deliberate mutilation of female genitalia for non-medical reasons
  • it is carried out in countries such as Africa, Middle East and Asia because it is connected to cultural, religious and social reasons
  • this is illegal in the UK because of the understanding of the procedure, it is a painful operation and it can lead to mental illness after the procedure has been done
26
Q

Name an example of where the law is applied differently according to circumstances (example 1)

A
  • Age
  • the age of criminal responsibility in the Uk is 10, meaning that a child under the age of 10 can not be arrested, charged or prosecuted for a criminal offence
    -the age of criminal responsibility in Canada is 12 and in China it is genuinely under the age of 16
27
Q

Name an example where the law is applied differently according to circumstances (example 2)

A
  • there are occasions where the law allows an alternative charge of manslaughter to be made, when they have suffered from diminished responsibility or acted under a loss of control
  • the partial defences are only used when individuals are charged for murder
  • there are other defences that show a person is not guilty such as consent, self-defence and automatism
28
Q

What is the definition of consent?

A

a defence in law that proves that permission was given by the appropriate person for the crime to occur

29
Q

What is the definition of self-defence?

A

a defence in law allowing the use of reasonable force to avoid a conviction

30
Q

What is the definition of automatism?

A

a defence in the law where the defendant is not in control of their actions

31
Q

What are the reasons why laws are different according to place, time and culture?

A
  • change in social and moral views
    -opinions
  • religion
    -knowledge