A Level criminology 2 1.1

What are the 4 ways to judge whether behaviour is acceptable or not

• Norms

• values

• moral codes

• Deviance

What are norms

Rules or socially accepted standards/ expectations that govern people’s behaviour in certain circumstances e.g. how we might show respect to elders and these keep deviant behaviour under control.

What are values

General principles or guidelines for how we should live our lives , more general than norms and include what society thinks is good or bad e.g. respect for human life

What are moral codes

A list of set rules that an individual, organisation, group or community might live by that is good and they can be written or unwritten e.g. Police code of ethics

What is deviance

Behaviour that differs from the norm , they can be good or bad

Example of good deviance

Giving large sum of money to charity

Example of bad deviance

Attacking someone with a knife

What are the 2 types of sanctions against deviance

Formal and Informal sanctions

What are Formal sanctions

Informed by authorities and higher bodies such as schools, police and they can include fines , prison , detention and exlcusion.

What are informal sanctions and when are they used

Are used where the rules are not formally written down and are perhaps “unspoken” e.g. telling someone off or slap on the wrist

Can sanctions be positive give example

Sanctions can be positive if the deviant behaviour is seen as good e.g. medals for bravery

What is the social definition of crime + example

What a community says is a crime and a “wrong against it” e.g marriage legal at 14 in state of Utah but illegal in the UK

What is the legal definition of crime

An act or omission that results in an unlawful consequence and has to have the men’s rea and actus rea for the unlawful act and consequence.

What is strict liability

Where the men’s rea is not required because the consequences are so serious.

key case for strict liabiltity

Pret a Manger - where girl had died after eating food that contained ingredients she was allergic to it had not said anything on the description about the specific ingredient she was allergic to and although the men’s rea was not present it was still a crime

What are the 2 types of formal sanctions against criminals

Non court sanctions and Court sanctions

What are the non court sanctions

• Cautions

• Conditional Cautions

• Penalty notices

What are cautions

a formal warning that may be given to persons aged 18 or over who admit to committing an offence, usually minor crimes

What are conditional cautions

requires an offender to comply with conditions, as an alternative to prosecution. conditions must be rehabilitative, reparative and/or a financial penalty.

What are penalty notices

A fine, where you pay the penalty so you don’t get a criminal record and for over 18 only apply to shoplifting or drinking.

What are the court sanctions

Custodial sentences

Community sentences

Discharges

Fines

What is a community sentence

an alternative to imprisonment for individuals convicted of a crime. Instead of being sent to prison, the offender is required to complete specific requirements or activities within their community under the supervision of probation services or other authorities. e.g community service.

What is a custodial sentence

A punishment handed down by a court that involves imprisonment or confinement, they are required to stay for a certain amount of time and can apply for a parole when they have reached halfway of their sentence.

What is a fine

A monetary penalty imposed by a court as punishment for committing an offense.

What is a discharge

where the defendant is found not guilty or is acquitted of the charges brought against them.