nature of crime Flashcards
What are the three main parties involved in evaluating the effectiveness of the criminal justice system?
Victim, Offender, Society
Define ‘Crime’.
An act or omission against the community that is punishable by the law brought in the name of the state.
What is ‘Omission’ in the context of crime?
Failure to act
What does ‘Actus Reus’ refer to?
The guilty act
What is ‘Mens rea’?
The guilty mind – knowing wrongful action.
List the three types of mens rea.
- Intention
- Recklessness
- Criminal Negligence
What is the highest level of mens rea for prosecution to prove?
Clear, malicious intention to commit the crime.
What does ‘Causation’ refer to in criminal law?
The link between the behaviour of the accused and the result.
What is a ‘Strict Liability Offence’?
Crimes that do not require mens rea.
What was the outcome of R v Dean (2013)?
Plead guilty to 11 counts of murder + 8 counts of bodily harm.
What are the categories of offences based on?
- Type of offence
- Jurisdiction
- Seriousness of the crime
- Parties to a crime
What types of offences fall under ‘Offences against the person’?
- Homicide
- Assault
- Sex Offences
Define ‘Treason’.
Betraying your country by attempting to kill/overthrow the PM or sovereign.
What are ‘Economic Offences’?
Includes white collar and computer crimes such as tax evasion and insider trading.
What are ‘Public Order Offences’?
Disrupts the activities of society.
Differentiate between ‘Summary’ and ‘Indictable Offences’.
- Summary: Less serious, tried by a magistrate.
- Indictable: More serious, tried by a judge and jury.
What is the role of a ‘Principal in the first degree’?
The principal offender who actually commits the criminal act.
What is an ‘Accessory before the fact’?
Someone who has helped the principal offender plan or prepare before the crime.
List factors affecting criminal behaviour.
- Psychological factors
- Social factors
- Economic factors
- Genetic factors
- Political factors
- Self interest
What are the two main areas of crime prevention?
- Situational crime prevention
- Social crime prevention
Fill in the blank: ‘______ is a form of situational crime prevention.’
[Police presence]
True or False: 95% of all crime is heard in local courts.
True
