The nature of Crime

Question 1

the meaning of crime

Answer 1

• acting illegal or unethical
• an act that is against the law
• punishable by the state

Question 2

the elements of crime

Question 3

strict liability offences

Answer 3

offences where only actus rea needs to be proven, despite intentions
e.g. traffic violations such as speeding or running a red light

Question 4

causation

Question 5

categories of crime

Answer 5

• offence against the person. e.g. murder, sexual assault
• offence against the sovereign/state. e.g. treason, sedition
• economic offences
- property offences, e.g. breaking and entering
- white collar offences, e.g. tax evasion
- computer offences, e.g. using computers to cause economic loss/damage
• drug offences e.g. drug possession, drug use
• driving offences e.g. speeding
• public order offences e.g. indecent exposure
• preliminary offences
- attempts e.g. attempted murder
- conspiracy e.g. planning bank robbery

Question 6

summary and indictable offences

Answer 6

summary offences are less serious and dealt with at local court where the magistrate decides the judgement and punishment

indictable offences are more serious offences, with the jury giving a verdict and the judge administering punishment

Question 7

parties to a crime

Answer 7

1. Principal in the first degree:
   the person(s) directly responsible for the act e.g. robbed the bank
2. Principal in the second degree:
   the person(s) who assists the principal in the first degree to commit the crime e.g. drove the getaway car
3. Accessory before the fact:
   the person(s) who helps to plan the crime e.g. stole the bank plans
4. Accessory after the fact:
   the person(s) who knowingly assists the offender after the crime has been committed e.g. helped hide the offender from police.

Question 8

factors affecting criminal behaviour

Answer 8

• psychological
• social
• economic
• genetic
• political
• self interest

Question 9

situational and social crime prevention

Answer 9

situational crime prevention aims to make it more difficult for criminals to carry out a crime and therefore stop a crime before it is committed
E.g. security systems, bars on windows, computer passwords, lighting of streets

Social crime prevention aims to break the cycle of crime by targeting social factors such as poor parenting, high truancy rates, low levels of education and economic disadvantage, all of which increase the likelihood of criminal activity occurring.
e.g. school lectures

Question 10

Distinguish between actus reus and mens rea

Answer 10

actus rea refers to a person actually committing the act that is a crime, while mens rea refers to the intention behind the act, did they mean to?