Criminality and deviance

• Values


  The general principles of how we should live our lives- they tell us what is right and wrong, good and bad
• Norms


  The specific rules or socially acceptable standards that govern people's behaviour in particular situations
• Norms in a society

  Linked to its values
• Moral code


  A basic set of rules values and principles held by an individual, group, organisation or society
• Formal sanctions


  The penalties that are laid down by law that can be imposed by courts or the police depending on the offence
• Deviance


  Something that is against social norms e.g tattoos
• Forms of deviance


  • Good
  • Eccentric/bizarre
  • Bad/disapproved
• Criminal behaviour


  A form of deviance that involves serious,harmful acts that are regarded as so disruptive they have laws against them e.g murder
• Actus reus


  A guilty act
• Mens rea


  An element of criminal responsibility, a guilty mind (had bad intentions)
• In some cases mens rea is not needed e.g health and safety, self defence
• Not all harmful acts are criminal e.g pollution laws on emission limits
• Not all criminal acts are particularly harmful e.g 'victimless' crimes
• Not all laws are enforced by the police e.g smoking weed
• Summary offences


  Less serious offences like speeding
• Indictable offences


  More serious offences in the crown court
• Types of offences


  • Offences against property
  • Violence against a person
  • Criminal damage
  • Sexual offences
  • Public order
  • Fraud and forgery
  • Drug offences
• The public often have a different view of what is 'actually' a crime compared to the legal definition
• Court sanctions


  • Custodial sentences
  • Community sentences
  • Financial penalties
  • Conditional discharge (avoids punishment on the condition that there is no further offending over a given period)
• Police sanctions


  • Cautions
  • Conditional
  • Penalty notice
• Implications of having a criminal record

  • Exclusion from certain jobs
  • Sex offenders register
  • Travel ban
  • Restriction on adoption, jury service, standing for elected office
  • Have to declare unspent convictions when applying for work claiming insurance