Criminology 1

Criminology VS Criminal Justice

Criminology is study of criminal behavior (why/how), criminal justice is study of law enforcement + justice system

Crime VS Deviant Behavior

Crime is violating the law, deviant behavior is actions outside of social norms

Criminal Statistics/ Crime Management

The study of crime (when, why, who, what, etc), analyzes crime report + social media/trends data, uses info to improve justice system/law enforcement

Megan’s Law

Law requiring all sex offenders to announce that they are

Stanley VS Georgia

Protects citizens right to privately watch anything they want (porn specifically) (Stanley was searched and attempted to be incriminated for possession of porn)

Rebecca Schaffer

(Celeb murdered by stalker) Enforced/criminalized stalking (laws), Drivers Policy Protection Act, making state sensitive driver’s information confidential

Marvin Golfwang

heavily influenced law enfocement, repeated offenders are more rare than first time criminals, creating 3 strike law, 3 crimes = life

1994 Jacob Wettlering Act

Differentiates sex offenders and enforces stricter laws for some, created sex offender registry by state

Crime Typologies

Relationship studied between crime + criminals

Consensus View

All crime is 100% unaccepted by all aspects of society, causes social harm

Interactionist View

People form views based on other people’s opinions; interations through symbols + societal actions (handshake, etc)

Conflict View

Society is made up by diversity, which comes with never ending conflict amongst each other, those who define crime is the elite, crime is a concept to keep the rich rich and poor poorer

Substantive Criminal Law

Crimes and their thorough definition + punishment

Procedural Law

The basic procedures throughout law enforcement (evidence, seizures, jury, etc)

Civil Law

Governing between private parties (civil law suits), includes tart laws (injury lawsuits, i.e work, negligent, product gone wrong)

Purpose of the Law

Enforce: social control, punishments, public opinion + morality, justice

Discourages: Crime, private revenge

Constitutional Limits

-Laws need to be specific + not cruel/unusual

-A person’s status (addict, homeless, etc) cannot be criminalized

Elements of Criminal Law

1.Crime’s definition: evidence + mental + physical elements required

2.Mens Reaus: The mental intention behind it (not always required)

3.Actus Reaus: Voluntarily committing the crime

4.Strict Liability: if you did it you did it, mens reaus is not always needed

Rational Choice Theory

Committing crimes based off their reward rather than punishment

Strain Theory

Committing crimes based off social/environmental stressors

Social Disorganization Theory

Communities with weak social structures/cohesion have higher crime rates

Social Learning Theory

Crime committed is learned through observation from surroundings