Types of Crime

Question 1

Crime and Deviance

Criminology

Answer 1

• The study of crime and criminal behaviour.
• Drawing on other disciplines like sociology to explain cause and prevent crime.

Question 2

Crime and Deviance

Crime

Answer 2

• An illegal act punishable by law.
• This can result in criminal proceedings if detected.
• For example, murder or theft.

Question 3

Crime and Deviance

Deviance

Answer 3

• Behaviour that does not conform to society’s norms.
• This leads to negative sanctions if detected.
• For example, bullying,

Question 4

Crime and Deviance

Formal Social Control

Answer 4

• Written rules and laws which when broken may result in negative sanctions.
• For example, it is a crime to kill someone.

Question 5

Crime and Deviance

Informal Social Control

Answer 5

• Unwritten rules for social norms aimed at ensuring conformity.
• Deviance is non-conforming behaviour.

Question 6

Crime and Deviance

Legal Deviance

Answer 6

• Behaviour considered abnormal by most people in society.
• It is not punishable by law.

Question 7

Crime and Deviance

Illegal Deviance

Answer 7

• Behaviour that is considered deviant and is punishable by state.
• E.g. littering may be considered illegal deviance.

Question 8

Types of Crime

Volume Crime

Answer 8

• Offences whose nature influences society significantly.
• This is due to the amount and ability of the local police to confront them.
• For example: robbery, burglary, vehicle related crimes (car theft, speeding), anti-social behaviours (arson without intent, minor assault).

Question 9

Types of Crime

Major Crime

Answer 9

• Crimes against the person.
• For example: murder, serious assault, sex offences, abductions.
• Other complex cases may be assigned as major crime (e.g. preventing the course of justice).

Question 10

Types of Crime

Classification of Crime

Answer 10

• The legal system divides crime into categories based on the severity.
• Determines the procedure in court, the type of court and the criminal charge.
• The mildest crimes are known as summary offences; more serious crimes are triable either way; serious crimes are charged as indictable.

Question 11

Types of Crime

Summary Crime

Answer 11

• Also known as petty crime.
• A violation in common laws that can be proceeded without the right to jury trial and/or indictment.
• These are tried in the Magistrate’s court.
• For example: disorderly conduct, harassment, public intoxication and underage drinking.

Question 12

Types of Crime

Indictable Crime

Answer 12

• Offence that a prosecutor can charge by bringing evidence of the alleged crime to grand jury.
• Often tried before a judge in the crime court.
• For example, murder.

Question 13

Types of Crime

Triable Either Way

Answer 13

• A crime that can be tried either as a summary or indictable offence.
• For example: deception or fraud, theft, bigamy.

Question 14

Types of Crime

Crimes Against the Person

Answer 14

• A crime that uses, or attempts to use, physical force or other abuse towards another person.
• This can be considered a summary offence (assault) or indictable crime (homicide, rape).

Question 15

Types of Crime

Crimes Against Properties

Answer 15

• Crime involving (usually private) property.
• Property crimes are typically summary offences (but can be indictable depending on severity).
• For example: burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft, vandalism.
• Usually performed to obtain money, property or some other benefit.

Question 16

Types of Crime

Cybercrime

Answer 16

• Criminal activity that targets or uses a computer, computer network or networked device.
• Most cybercrime is carried out by cybercriminals or “hackers” who want to make money.