criminology - unit 1: semester 1

criminology >

generally defined as the science or discipline that studies and criminal behavior

where does criminology has orgins?

18th century europe

dean of criminology >

edwin sutherland

crime >

acts for which society provides formally sanctioned punishment

deviance >

it refers to behavior that is outside the range of normal societal tolerance

the basic framework of the system is provided by?

the legislative, judicial and executive branches of government

legislative branch >

• define crime

• establishes consequences

• provide funding for all justice agencies

judicial branch >

• adjudicate alleged offenders

• appellate courts interpret the law

executive branch >

• president, governments, and mayors appoint judges and head of agencies

• provide leadership to improve criminal justice

what is the objectives of criminology?

• prevent crime

• assign consequences and rehabilitation of offenders

• compensate victims

• maintain law and order in society

• deterrence

what are some components of the criminal justice system?

law enforcement, court system, and corrective system

what do police patrol communities do?

they prevent crimes, to investigate incidences of crime, and to arrest people suspected of committing crime

what do public agencies do?

they are in charge of maintaining order, enforce criminal laws, and provide services to their community

what happens in the court system?

it is where the guilt of a person accused of commiting a crime is determined and seek justice and discover the truth

what are the main players of the court system?

prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges

what is the purpose of jail?

reform/rehabilitate offenders to ensure public safety which includes jail and parole

criminal justice vs criminology >

criminology has a greater interest in the causal explanation of crime, whereas criminal justice is more occupied with practical concerns

young property crime >

16 years old

violent crimes >

18-34 years old

drug crimes >

inmate ages 25-44

relationship of crime commission >

crime commission declines with age

what is side I of the age-crime debate?

view a constant “maturing out of” crime or desistance from crime as individual age

what is the side II of age crime debate?

remain career criminals

what is the best predictor of criminality?

gender

in the US what is the percentage for male crimes?

83% of those are arrested

what is the relationship between social class and crime?

• most are from lower social class

• lack of power and sophistication in shielding themselves from formal litigation proceeding (inverse)

• official statistics tend to undercount crimes of higher socioeconomic groups

in the early ______, about __ in 4 young black males in the United States was behind bars, on parole or on probation

1990’s, 1

____ of black men in their 20s were under supervision and only ___ of whites were being sanctioned

23%, 6%

now, 1 of ____ every young black males between the ages of _________ is incarcerated

9, 20-30

what does racial profiling result in?

community members feel hurt and angry, and losing their trust in law enforcement

what is there a lack of in regards to racial profiling?

shared definition

what do many officers believe in regards to racial profiling?

racial profiling rarely or never happens

victimology >

scientific study of crime and it is a scientific method

who discovered the term victimology?

mendesohn

what does ncvs stand for?

national crime victimization survey

ncvs >

victimization survey in which people are asked about their victimization experience in the previous six months

what is the cost of victimization?

economic costs, mental health costs, and system costs

economic costs >

hospital bills

mental health costs >

therapy and ptsd

system costs >

courts and insurance

victim precipitation >

to make something occur/the role or involvement of the victim

what are two different types of victim precipitation?

• victim facilitation

• victim provocation

victim facilitation >

when a victim unintentionally makes it easier for a crime to happen

victim provocation >

when the victim is also the offender and provoke someone to do something

what are victim’s rights?

• compensation

• notification

• victim impact statements

• restitution

• rights and respect

• consultation

• protection

• speedy trial

compensation >

government paid money

restitution >

offender pays it as a part of their sentence

what should be the end result of a crime?

restorative justice