Criminal Behaviour

• Social definition of crime

  Sometimes crime is a label from 'social interaction or a wrong against the community. If a society has said that an act is a crime, then it becomes one.
• Crimes


  Have consequences that are detrimental in some way to the community at large or one or more people within it
• Some crimes are universally disapproved of, for example sex offences, especially those involving children
• Some acts are crimes in some countries but not in others, for instance forced marriages in Bangladesh where children must become child brides
• Legal definition of crime

  Behaviour that breaks the law and for which you are punished by the legal system
• Legal crimes


  • Theft
  • Fraud
  • Murder
• Actus reus


  The guilty act
• Mens rea


  The guilty mind
• There are offences of strict liability that do not require a mens rea, for example many food and hygiene regulations
• Even if both actus reus and mens rea are present, a defence such as self-defence could mean a person was not found guilty
• Cautions


  Administered by the police for minor crimes such as writing graffiti on a bus shelter. You have to admit an offence and agree to be cautioned; otherwise you could be arrested for the offence. A caution is not a criminal conviction.
• Conditional cautions


  Given by the police but you have to agree to certain rules and restrictions, such as receiving treatment for drug abuse or repairing damage to a property.
• Penalty notices for disorder

  Given for offences such as shoplifting, possessing cannabis, or being drunk and disorderly in public. You can only get a penalty notice if you are aged 18 or over.
• Custodial sentences


  Where you are immediately sent to prison. There are mandatory and discretionary life sentences and fixed term and indeterminate prison sentences.
• Community sentences


  Can be a combination order including unpaid work, probation, curfew and orders such as having drug testing and treatment.
• Fines


  Financial penalties, the amount depends on the seriousness of the offence and the financial circumstances of the offender.
• Discharge


  Can be either conditional, when if the defendant reoffends during a set time period the court can give an alternative sentence, or absolute, when no penalty is imposed as the defendant is technically guilty but morally blameless.
• Types of criminal acts

  • Fatal offences against the person
  • Non-fatal offences against the person
  • Offences against property
  • Sexual offences
  • Public order offences
  • Drug offences
• Fatal offences against the person

  • Murder, manslaughter
• Non-fatal offences against the person


  • Assault, battery, actual and grievous bodily harm
• Offences against property


  • Theft, robbery, burglary
• Sexual offences


  • Rape, indecent assault
• Public order offences


  • Riot, affray, violent disorder
• Drug offences


  • Possession of a controlled drug or possession with intent to supply