Crime and Punishment

• Crime


  Any action which breaks the formal laws of society and for which a person can be punished
• The laws of England are made by the UK parliament and are enforced by the police and the legal system
• Crime


  An act or omission of an act that is prohibited and punishable under federal statute
• Conditions for an act or omission to be considered a crime

  • The act is considered wrong by society
  • The act causes harm to society in general or to those who need protection
  • The harm must be serious
  • The remedy must be handled by the criminal justice system
• Action prohibited by law

  An act that is prohibited and punishable under law
• Omission of an action


  Failing to do an act that is required by law
• Types of crime


  • Crime against a person
  • Crime against authority
  • Crime against property
• The law regulates every aspect of life
• Areas of law


  • Criminal law
  • Civil law
  • Employment law
  • Family law
• Magistrate court


  Deals with less serious cases
• Crown court


  Deals with more serious cases, with a judge and a jury of 12 people
• Age of criminal responsibility


  10 years old in England and Wales, 12 years old in Scotland
• Treatment of children under 18


  • Dealt with by youth courts
  • Given different sentences
  • Sent to special secure centres for young people, not adult prisons
• Young people aged 18 are treated as adults by the law
• Types of laws


  • Bye-laws (made by local governments)
  • Parliamentary laws (made by the Government)
• Non-Indictable offences


  Minor crimes and driving offences
• Indictable offences


  Much more serious crimes, dealt with Crown Courts with a judge and jury, usually carry a much harsher penalties
• Possible verdicts in a criminal trial


  • Guilty
  • Not guilty
  • Not proven (unique to Scotland)
• Changes to laws regarding homosexuality


  • Sexual Offences Act 1967 legalised homosexual acts in England and Wales
  • Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000 reduced the age of consent to 16
• Evil actions can be thought of as those which cause suffering, injury or death
• Many Christians believe that there is no such thing as an 'evil' person, only people who make mistakes
• Court structure in the UK


  • Police arrest
  • Magistrate hearing
  • Magistrates court
  • Crown court
  • High court
  • Supreme court
• Criminal law

  Deals with indictable offences and serious crimes