criminology crime and deviance

legal definition of crime

behaviour and actions that break the law are criminal. In law, a crime must have 2 elements; an actus reus (the guilty act) and a mens rea (a guilty mind).

social definition of crime

crime can also be actions which society has deemed to be inappropriate.

If society say an action is criminal, it can become criminal and the opposite can happen too; society can view actions as not serious which over time can become decriminalised.

Some acts may be seen as criminal in some societies but not in others.

fatal offences against the person

murder manslaughter

non-fatal offences against the person

assault, ABH, GBH

court sanctions

discharge-suspended sentence

custodial sentence

fines

non-court sanctions

fixed

caution

penalty notice