Crime and deviance

• norm - specific rules or socially accepted standards that govern peoples behaviour in certain situations.
• morals - a set of basic rules , values and principles held by an individual, group, organisation or society as a whole
• value = general principle or guildeline for how we should live our lives
• example of a moral is the police code of conduct
• 3 types of deviance:

  1. admired = behaviour that is seen as deviant but can also be seen as good or admirable. for example running into a building to save a life
  2. odd = behaviour that is deviant because it is odd or different from the norm. for example owning 50 cats
  3. bad = behaviour that is deviant because it is bad. for example attacking someone for no reason
• actus rea = guilty act

  mens rea = guilty mind
• summary offence= less serious offences

  indictable offence = more serious offences
• legal definition of crime:

  1. strict liability = in some cases mens rea is not required
  2. guilty mind = proving the offender wasnt in the right state of mind when commiting the offence
  3. self defence = harming someone in self defence is not a crime so long as the force was reasonable in the situation
• social definition of crime:

  1. differing views= the public often have a different view of what is a crime and not. for example speeding
  2. LAW enforcement = not all criminal laws are enforced as they are too complex, time consuming or expensive to investigate
  3. law making = sometimes laws are changed to reflect the public opinion. for example stalking didnt become illegal to 2012
• formal sanction = imposed by offical bodies such as police, courts, schools and other instituions

  informal sanction = rules are not formally written down and perhaps unspoken. people may tell the person off for breaking this rule or ignore them.

  postive sanction= medal for bravery
• court sanction:

  1. custodial sentencing = serious offences can be punished for example the young offenders instituion
  2. community sentencing = served in the community not jail. this is for crimes such as probation orders and fines
  3. discharge = the offender not commiting any other offences during the given period. if they do commit a crime then they are able to get a new sentence on top of their old one
• other implications of criminality:

  criminal record

  exclusion from certain occupations

  restrictions on adopting and jury service
• police sanctions

  1. penalty notice = wont get a conviction if you pay the penalty. used for minor crimes such as shoplifting
  2. conditional caution = means you have to stick to certain rules or conditions. for example seeking treatment for drug abuse
  3. cautions = warnings given to police/CPS or anybody over the age of 10. minor crimes. have to admit to the crime