unit 1 aos2 Flashcards
criminal law
an area of law that defines behaviours and conduct that are prohibited
crime
an act or omission that is an against an existing law, harmful to both an individual and society.
sanction
a penalty imposed by a court on a person guilty of commiting a criminal offence
presumption of innocence
the right of a person accused of a crime to be presumed innocent unless proven guilty
beyond reasonable doubt
the standard of proof that there is no reasonable doubt that the accused commited the offence
standard of proof
the degree to which a case must be proved in court
burden of proof
the obligation of the prosecution or plaintiff to prove a case
purposes of criminal law
to protect individuals, property, society and justice
how is the presumption of innocence protected?
it is protected by the burden of proof and the standard of proof
what are the elements of a crime?
actus reus and mens rea
actus reus
a latin term meaning a guilty act. the physical element of a crime
mens rea
a latin term meaning a guilty mind. the intentional element of a crime.
strict liability
where culpability or responsibility for commiting a crime can be established without having to prove there was mens rea
what is the age of criminal responsibility?
a child under 10 cannot be charged, a child 10-13 can be charged if the prosecution proves there was mens rea, a child 14+ can be charged with a crime.
Division A of crime:
Homicide, assault, sexual offences, stalking
Division B:
Arson, property damage, burglary, theft
Division C:
Dealing and trafficking drugs
Division D:
Weapons and explosives offences
Division E:
Perjury
Division F:
Regulatory driving offences
Type of offender or victim (5)
cyber-crime, prejudice motivated crime, organised crime, juvenile crime, white collar crime.
cyber crime
a criminal offence in which the use of computers or tech is an essential and central part of the offending.
prejudice motivated crime
a criminal offence motivated by prejudice and bias towards the victim (because of their race, sex, age or religion)
Organised crime
a criminal offence undertaken in a planned and ongoing manner by organised syndicates or gangs.