TOPIC 1.1 + 1.2 Flashcards
Deviance
Any behaviour that differs from the norm
Formal Sanctions
Sanctions which are imposed by official bodies, and are for breaking written rules/laws
eg. a fine
Informal Sanctions
Sanctions that arent formally written down and perhaps ‘unspoken’, imposed by society.
eg. refusal to speak to the ‘do-er’
Crime
An act or omission that breaches the law of the land
Values
A set of principles about acceptable and unacceptable behaviours, such as what constitutes right and wrong behaviour.
Norms
A set of rules of expectations in a society about what is and isnt acceptable behaviour.
Moral codes / mores
a set of rules agreed by a group of people, shows rights and wrongs
Summary Offences
Less serious offences, which are tried by magistrates.
Indictable Offences
More serious offences, which are tried in a crown court before a judge and jury, as to which the sentences can be imposed as more severe.
Custodial Sentences (court sanctions)
Use of prison or other institutes in order to deter future crimes from occurring and to punish the offender.
Community Sentences (court sanctions)
Sanctions that are served in the community rather than a prison.
eg. community work or an anger management class
Conditional Discharge (court sanctions)
The offender may not be sent to prison but instead have to follow certain conditions rather.
Absolute Discharge (court sanctions)
When the offender is guilty of a crime but a sentence isnt seemed to be suitable.
Cautions (police sanction)
Issued without the use of court, usually given to first-time offenders.
Conditional Cautions (police sanction)
Cautions are given to the offender and include an agreed change , failure to do so may lead to being charged with the original crime committed.
Penalty notices for disorders (police sanction)
Issued without the use of court proceedings, as to where the offender has to pay a fine for minor crimes.
Social Construct of Criminality
The same behavior may be considered criminal in one society and an act of honor in another society or in the same society at a different time.
Differences in the acts of the Criminal Justice System- Youth Courts
.youth courts are for offenders between the age of 10-17
.the youth court cant send anyone to prison but can impose sentences
.members of the public arent allowed within youth courts
Mitigating Factors
Factors that can be used to lower the seriousness/ the sentence of the crime.
eg. Drug influence
Diminished Responsibility (mitigating factor of homicide)
As to where the defendants’ mental condition substantially reduces their ability to understand what had occurred.
Automatism (mitigating factor of homicide)
If the crime wasn’t voluntary. A crime must be voluntary and must have occurred consciously to commit a crime.
Homosexuality Laws 1885-2018
1885- being homosexual between men were illegal
1967-Homosexual acts between males aged 21 or over became legal in England and Wales
1994- Age of consent reduced to 18
2000-Age of consent reduced to 16
Gun Control Laws from 1987-1997
1996- 16 children, 1 teacher shot dead at Dunblane primary school near Scotland
1997-Law banned all handguns except .22 single shot weapons
Laws concerning physical punishment 1723-1967
1965-capital punishment abolished in britain
1967- all corporal punishment of offenders abolished
Drug Laws 1975-2001
2001- Possession of drugs changed from criminal to civil
Laws relating to children early 19th century- 2004
19th Century- Laws that excluded children from paid work
1880-Compulsory Schooling
1989- UN Convention of Rights of the Child
2004- The Children Act- fundamental principle underpinning work of agencies
