Lecture 4 Public And Crime Part 2 Public Attitudes To The Criminal Justice System Flashcards
In the British crime survey, who had high levels of worry about crime?
Those over 75 years of age.
What is moral panic?
Over reaction against an event such as a type of crime, which is seen as a threat to societies values.
What is the fear victimisation paradox?
Those who are statistically most likely to be the victim of crime turn out to be similar to their victimiser.
Our levels of fear may be influenced by…?
Personal experience
Crime news
Aspects of our personality which makes us more or less afraid of crime.
What is the criminal justice system?
The governmental organisations and practices which serve to both control crime and maintain control of the population, it includes punishment for violations of the law
Why is public opinion important?
Without it, the CJS would be unable to operate.
Reporting of crimes.
Witnesses in trial proceedings.
Jury system.
Police achieve goals through public help.
Examples of ignoring public opinion?
Anti Iraq war protests.
University fee riots.
Pole tax riots.
What are the common misconceptions the public have regarding the CJS?
Believe crime is increasing.
Overestimate the rates of violent crime.
Lack of knowledge regarding sentencing.
Underestimation of prison for serious offenders.
Where does public knowledge of the CJS come from?
Direct and indirect experiences.
What are direct experiences?
Jury duty.
Being a witness to a crime.
Secondary victimisation.
What are indirect experiences?
Being a vicarious victim of crime.
Knowing others who have been a victim of crime.
Common knowledge.
Media.
What are socio demographic issues?
Older people are more punitive than younger people.
Men express less confidence in the CJS than women.
People with low educational attainment have poor knowledge of CJS.
Blacks more likely to find the CJS more discriminatory than whites.
What does socio-demographic mean?
Relating to society as a whole or the changes/ opinions in society
