criminology midterm

Criminology

The study of crime, criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system, including causes, effects, prevention, and societal responses

Crime

An act or the commission of a result prohibited by a public law and punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or other sanctions

UCR (Uniform Crime Reporting)

A nationwide program administered by the FBI that collects crime data from law enforcement agencies.

NCVS (National Crime Victimization Survey)

A survey that collects data from households about their experiences with crime, whether reported to the police or not.

Clearance Rate

The proportion of reported crimes that have been 'cleared' or solved by arrest or other legal action.

Over-criminalization

When behaviors that may not be harmful are criminalized.

Under-criminalization

When harmful behaviors are not classified as crimes due to social or political influence.

Specific Intent

A clear intention to commit a particular crime.

General Intent

The individual intends to commit an act but may not specifically intend the criminal outcome.

Recklessness

Awareness of a risk that harm will result but proceeding anyway.

Negligence

Failing to be aware of a risk where a reasonable person would have been.

Retribution

Punishment as a way to 'pay back' the offender for their wrongdoing.

Deterrence

The idea that punishment will discourage the offender and others from committing similar crimes in the future.

Incapacitation

Preventing offenders from committing further crimes by removing them from society.

Community Supervision

Includes probation and parole, involving supervision of offenders in the community.

Adversarial Process

A legal system where two opposing sides present cases before a judge or jury.

Plea Bargaining

A process where a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced sentence.

Prosecutor’s Dilemma

The tension between seeking justice and securing convictions.

Mandatory Sentences

Laws that require judges to impose a minimum sentence for certain crimes.

Indeterminate Sentences

Sentences that do not specify an exact length of time but rather a range.

Recidivism

The tendency of previously convicted individuals to reoffend.

Exclusionary Rule

Evidence obtained illegally cannot be used in court, with some exceptions.

Miranda Warning

The requirement that suspects be informed of their rights, including the right to remain silent.

Robert Peel’s Principles

Nine principles emphasizing community cooperation and the need for police to prevent crime.

Legal Aid Organizations

Nonprofit organizations providing free legal services to low-income individuals.

Public Defenders

Government-employed attorneys representing defendants who cannot afford private attorneys.

Bias in Policing

Disparities in law enforcement practices that affect certain groups due to stereotypes or institutional racism.

Restorative Justice

Programs that emphasize dialogue between the offender and the victim to repair harm.

Revised Code of Washington

A collection of all laws and statutes in Washington State. This is important for understanding legal definitions of crimes in the state of Washington, how criminal cases are handled, and what penalties apply

Comparative results

Analyze crime data from different places or times. For example, comparing crime rates between cities or looking at trends over decades.

Ideal definition of a crime (Reiman and Leighton)

• Reiman and Leighton argue that crime is not just an action that harms individuals, but rather it is a social construct influenced by political and economic powers. In an ideal society, crime should be defined by the harm it causes to people rather than political interests.

• Crime as a social construct, shaped by power dynamics and not just based on harm or wrongdoing.

White-collar crimes

Non-violent crimes committed for financial gain, typically by professionals or businesses. Examples include fraud, embezzlement, and insider trading. Typically underpunished due to their nature and the status of the offender.

Street-level crime

Crimes that occur in public spaces and typically involve violence or theft, often affecting individuals directly. Examples include robbery, assault, and drug offenses.

Four arguments about white collar vs. street level crime

• social harm- White-collar crimes (fraud, embezzlement) can cause significant harm to individuals and society but are often underpunished compared to street-level crime.

• legal status- White-collar crimes may not always be recognized as "crimes" or may be penalized more leniently because of the offender's social status.

• visibility and power of offenders- Street-level crimes are more visible, often committed by disadvantaged individuals, while white-collar crimes are committed by more powerful groups, like corporations or government officials.

• disproportionate focus on street-level crime- Media and law enforcement tend to focus on street-level crimes, often at the expense of white-collar crimes that might be harder to detect.

Legislative bias

Laws may be created or enforced in ways that disproportionately affect certain groups in society, often based on race, class, or other factors. For example, some laws may be stricter on certain populations, leading to systemic inequalities.

magnitude of harm

Some crimes cause more damage than others (e.g., murder vs. theft). The seriousness of the harm caused by the crime affects its legal definition and the severity of the punishment.