AC 1.2

• What are 3 laws which change from culture to culture?

  • polygamy
  • homosexuality
  • adultery
• What is ploygamy?


  This is the act of having more than one wife or husband.
• legality on polygamy with regards to the UK?

  in the UK, it is known as bigamy and carries a custodial sentence of up to seven years
• Which countries is polygamy illegal in?


  UK, US and even some Muslim countries (Turkey)
• Which countries is polygamy legal in?

  Polygany - multiple wifes is legal in Most Muslim majority countries, e.g., Saudi Arabia, the UAE
• Why does the law on polygamy vary different cultures?

  • Religious beliefs – can influence lawmaking, the Qur’an permits it therefore it is legal in some countries
  • Traditions – it is socially accepted in some cultures and social norms can influence laws making it legal
• What is homosexuality?

  Sexual acts between members of the same sex.
• Legality of homosexuality in regards to the UK


  Partially decriminalized in 1967, the age of consent was 21 and for males, later, lowered to 18 then 16 and now same sex marriages can take place in the UK
• Which countries is homosexuality legal in?

  It is legal in the UK and all other European countries
• Which countries is homosexuality illegal in?


  it is still illegal in 70 countries for men, and 45 for women, it is punishable by death in some countries:

  • India
  • Yemen
  • Nigeria
  • Saudi Arabia
• Why does the law on homosexuality vary different cultures?

  • religious beliefs – in more secular societies it is likely to be seen as criminals as religions reflect law making as the Bible, and the Qur’an say it is a sin.
  • Taboo – in some cultures it is seen as against the norm and meaning isn’t socially acceptable
• What is adultery?


  Sexual relations between a married person, and another, with the exception of their spouse
• Legality of adultery with regards to the UK


  Not considered a crime, but may have legal consequences in divorce proceedings
• Which countries is adultery illegal in?


  Illegal in countries that are governed by Islamic law e.g. Saudi Arabia Pakistan. Almost half of the states in the USA, but in most it is only a misdemeanor
• Which countries is adultery legal in?

  UK and all other European countries
• Why does the law on adultery vary across cultures?

  • Religion Dash Bible states that it is a sin
  • Some politicians may not want to be seen as opposing moral laws, so are reluctantly revoke them
• Name four laws that have changed over time

  • Capital punishment
  • Double Jeopardy
  • Gun control laws
  • Smoking
• What was capital punishment like originally?


  It was punishable for over 200 offenses, such as picking pockets and shooting rabbits.

  these were laws made by the rich to protect them and their property, and they were targeted at the pool, and it was believed that they were lazy and cause the only misfortune.
• Why was the view on capital punishment changed?

  • The view of poor people being lazy, uncles name is fortune faded as people were given rights and freedoms
  • cases such as Derek, Bentley and Timothy Evans were regarded as a miscarriage of justice, leading to a change in public opinion about the death penalty, and also to change in the law.
  • as DNA evidence developed it became apparent that many people are being wrongly convicted
  • Temporarily, suspended in 1965 and fully abolished in 1969
  • Remained for treason, but was fully abolished following the crime in disorder act 1998.
• What change was made in regards to the double Jeopardy rule

  It was a polish for serious offenses under the criminal justice act 2003, and if new and compelling evidence was found a case could be retried in court

  • Julie Hogg killed 1991 – Billy Dunlop found guilty 15 years later
  • Stephen Lawrence - His killers Dobson and Norris found guilty 12 years later
• what caused changes in gun control laws?


  1996 Dunblane Massacre, where Thomas Hamilton, murdered, 16 primary school, children and their teacher.
• What changes were made to gun control laws?


  Bro, about the firearms amendment act 1997 which band handguns.
• What causes changes in law to smoking?

  Awareness of the health, implications smoking carried.
• What changes were made to smoking laws?

  • Health act 2006 – banned smoking in enclosed places, such as work and public places.
  • The children and families act 2014 – prohibited smoking in vehicles when children were present
• Name two laws that change, according to place

  • Possession of cannabis
  • Jaywalking
• Where is possession of cannabis, legal and illegal?


  Legal:

  • Columbia
  • Uruguay

  Illegal:

  • England
  • Wales
• How is possession of cannabis enforced in the UK?


  In the UK, it is enforced differently with each region for example in Durham constabulary police don’t prioritize people grow cannabis for personal use Whereas in cumbria they do prosecute.
• What are views on cannabis?


  Some countries of you as a recreational drug others consider it’s medical properties should take precedence over it’s legality
• What is jaywalking? Where is it in offense? What about in the UK?

  • Pedestrians crossing the road without regard to traffic regulations
  • The USA, Canada, Singapore and Poland
  • In the UK, it is an offense is crossing. The road safely is considered a personal responsibility.
• Name things that may cause laws to be applied differently, according to circumstance

  • age
  • Alternative charges
  • Defenses
  • Moral panic
  • Typifications
• How does age cause laws to be applied differently?


  The age of criminal responsibility can change how the law applies to people example in the UK if you understand, you cannot be charged and prosecuted no matter the offense

  Canada – 12

  Bangladesh – 9

  China – generally 16
• How do alternative charges cause the law to be applied differently?


  Alternative charges can mean despite one Offense taking place the offender, might be charged for a different offense.

  For example, sometimes if a murder is committed, the offender might be charged with manslaughter, especially if they have a defense of diminished responsibility, which is a partial defense, resulting in a conviction for manslaughter
• What are some defenses which could mean that the law is applied differently due to circumstance?

  • Self defense – allows reasonable force to avoid a conviction
  • Automatism – a defense, where the defendant is not in control of the actions
• How does moral panic result in the law to be applied differently?


  Public outrage Orphia in certain situation is can mean, offenders are treated more harshly.

  this is to serve as a deterrent to the public, it can possibly be used to please the public to gain votes, which is the idea of penal populism as it gives politicians a political advantage. for example, the London riots of 2011 sentences were given to rioters were 25% harsher than average.
• How does typifications cause laws to be applied differently? 


  This is when police are more likely to rest and charge certain people based on what group they belong to.

  criminologist study two groups of people the Saints - mostly middle class, the roughnecks – mostly working class, they found the police treated the roughneck strictly, and harsher. Other criminologist also found that other things like age, rate, and time of day, respected police response, which shows how laws applied differently, according to circumstance