Criminology and Crime Victimization

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Questions and Answers

What type of crime is related to behaviors targeting women and children?

Property crime

White-collar crime

Violent crime (correct)

Hate crime (correct)

Which of the following crime types focuses specifically on acts motivated by bias against race, religion, or other characteristics?

Violent crime

Property crime

White-collar crime

Hate crime (correct)

What does the term 'mala prohibita' mean?

Crimes that are inherently evil

Crimes considered wrong because they are prohibited (correct)

Crimes that are based on cultural customs

Crimes that involve physical harm to others

Which of the following behaviors does not fall under the study of criminology?

Mental health issues Signup and view all the answers

Which example best represents a 'mala in se' crime?

Murder Signup and view all the answers

What major area in criminology would examine the impact of laws related to theft?

Crime and Public Policy Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the connection between law and morality?

The relationship became less clear over time. Signup and view all the answers

Which option falls under the category of social control institutions in criminology?

Police, Courts, and Corrections Signup and view all the answers

Which area of criminology could explore why girls are drawn to certain crime types?

Gender and Crime Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the major rights granted to victims under proposed federal constitutional amendments?

The right to be informed, present, and heard during significant proceedings Signup and view all the answers

What role do interests play in the creation and enforcement of laws, as observed in the content?

Interests influence the regulation of legal rules. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the development of criminal law?

It evolved from existing legal systems over two thousand years ago Signup and view all the answers

What concept is described as efforts made within social groups to ensure predictable behavior?

Social control Signup and view all the answers

Which type of social control is characterized by laws and regulations?

Formal social control Signup and view all the answers

What was considered a 'private wrong' in primitive law?

Injuries to individuals Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of law as described in the Kauzlarich and Barlow reading?

To harmonize and adjust conflicting interests Signup and view all the answers

What criticism has been levied against the functionalist theory of sociological jurisprudence?

It emphasizes compromise and harmony too much. Signup and view all the answers

What does the conflict perspective on law emphasize?

The real workings of societal institutions and their conflicts Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of law underwent a transformation as societies became more complex?

The distinction between moral and legal codes Signup and view all the answers

What is the legalistic definition of crime?

Behavior that is legally defined as unacceptable Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms refers to the process of removing criminal status from certain behaviors?

Decriminalization Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the labeling perspective in criminology?

The effect of social labeling on individuals Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is meant by 'mala in se' crimes?

Crimes that are inherently wrong Signup and view all the answers

What does the conflict perspective in criminology emphasize?

The power dynamics in the creation of laws Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the necessary criteria for an act to be considered a crime?

The act must constitute a social harm. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'mens rea' refer to in the context of criminal behavior?

The guilty mind or criminal intent. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect must be established for an act to result in legal punishment?

The punishment must be specified in advance. Signup and view all the answers

According to the legalistic definition of crime, what is required for conduct to be considered criminal?

The conduct must be performed voluntarily. Signup and view all the answers

What is a legitimate critique of the legalistic definition of crime?

It omits acts that cause societal harm. Signup and view all the answers

What is one condition that must be fulfilled for an act to be categorized as a crime under law?

The act must be causally linked to harm. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not inherently part of the legal definition of crime?

Acts that occur in a specific economic context. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main objectives of crime prevention efforts for victims?

To reduce the probability of victimization Signup and view all the answers

Victims' compensation programs are primarily funded by which source?

The state using public resources Signup and view all the answers

What do critics argue about the victim movement?

It is manipulated for political gain Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic groups are identified as being least equipped to deal with the consequences of crime?

Single-parent families and the poor Signup and view all the answers

What type of support aims to compensate victims for their losses?

Restitution from the offender Signup and view all the answers

What constitutional change has improved the status of victims over time?

Amendments granting victims additional rights Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant outcome of modern assistance programs for victims?

Victims have more legal rights now than historically Signup and view all the answers

Which organization primarily helps victims navigate the judicial process?

Victims' advocate offices Signup and view all the answers

How are restitution options for offenders viewed by judges in many jurisdictions?

As an optional component in sentencing Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of ideology according to the discussion on criminal justice?

To serve as a guiding framework for policy decisions Signup and view all the answers

Which group of criminal justice practitioners was less likely to support alternatives to prison as punishment?

Judges Signup and view all the answers

How are the ideological positions on crime categorized by Miller?

As leftist, centrist, and rightist Signup and view all the answers

What critique does Samuel Walker make regarding perspectives on crime?

That both liberals and conservatives spread misleading information Signup and view all the answers

Why might an ideology lose its influence over time according to the content?

Changes in public opinion and belief systems Signup and view all the answers

What element is most crucial in determining an ideology's influence on policy?

The power and influence of its adherents Signup and view all the answers

What does leftist ideology generally argue about the ruling elite and crime?

They contribute to creating crime through exploitation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary emphasis of the crime control model in the criminal justice process?

Repression of criminal behavior Signup and view all the answers

How does Herbert Packer characterize the due process model?

As an obstacle course Signup and view all the answers

Which model is likened to a conveyer belt in the processing of cases?

Crime control model Signup and view all the answers

In the context of criminal justice, what does 'finality' refer to?

The conclusion of cases with minimal challenges Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what assumption is prevalent among those working in criminal justice?

Apprehended individuals are presumed guilty Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the consequences of failing to maintain control over criminal behavior as per the crime control model?

Erosion of important freedoms Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant difference between the crime control model and the due process model?

One seeks efficiency while the other seeks fairness Signup and view all the answers

What role does the quality of administrative fact-finding play in the crime control model?

It ensures efficient processing of cases Signup and view all the answers

What outcome is anticipated if criminal conduct is not controlled effectively, according to the crime control model?

Breakdown of public order Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Crime Victimization Rates

Violent crime victimization rates per 1,000 households decreased between 1976 and 2006
Property crime victimization rates per 1,000 households decreased between 1976 and 2006

Major Subject Areas in Criminology

Age and Crime
Alcohol, Drugs, and Crime
Biology and Crime
Comparative Criminology
Crime and Public Policy
Crime and the Media
Criminological Theory
Economic Class and Crime
Environmental Criminology
Fear of Crime
Gender and Crime
Guns and Crime
Hate Crime
Juvenile Delinquency
Race, Ethnicity and Crime
Research Methods
Social Control Institutions (Police, Courts, and Corrections)
Victimology
White-Collar Crime (including State and Corporate Crime)
Violence Against Women

Why Criminal Law Developed

To protect individuals from harm
To regulate social interactions and activities
To enforce moral standards

What Criminal Law Is

A form of law that developed over time
A product of centuries of change
Stems from primitive law
Defined by a set of rules
Enforced by societal institutions

The Development of Criminal Law

Early law primarily focused on private wrongs
Shift towards public wrongs and the establishment of criminal tribunals
The Roman Empire's law, with offenses against the state, developed formal legal systems
Early codes, like the Code of Hammurabi, had a broad scope and covered diverse areas

Mala Prohibita and Mala in Se

Mala Prohibita: Acts that are wrong due to being forbidden.
Mala in Se: Acts that are inherently wrong and considered bad.
Drug offenses and traffic violations are Mala Prohibita, while incest and murder are Mala in Se.

Interests and the Development of Law

Interests are essential in the creation and enforcement of legal rules.
Different people value different things, leading to conflicts and the need for laws to harmonise interests.
Roscoe Pound's functionalist theory emphasises the balancing of conflicting interests.
Critics argued that the functionalist theory overemphasises compromise and harmony.
Richard Quinney's conflict perspective highlights the power dynamics and inequalities within legal systems.

The Changing Nature of Law

Laws, criminal justice institutions, and actors have become more sensitive to issues like violence against women.

What is Crime?

Crime is defined using a legalistic approach which involves a number of criteria: conduct, social harm, legal prohibition, voluntary conduct, intentional conduct, causal link, and legal punishment
The legal definition has been challenged by some who argue that it doesn’t include all harmful acts deemed socially injurious, such as imperialism, racism, sexism, and violations of human rights

Victims of Crime

Victims of crime can be seen as the forgotten people of the crime scene
Modern criminal law often failed to account for victims' experiences, leading to their neglect
Victim support programs have emerged to address this, including compensation programs, restitution, and victims' advocate offices
Victims' rights are included in constitutional amendments in many states, offering a greater focus on their needs

Ideology and Public Policy on Crime

Ideology plays a significant role in shaping public policy decisions on crime
Different individuals and groups hold varying ideological perspectives on crime, influencing their views on its causes, solutions, and appropriate responses
Samuel Walker argues that both liberals and conservatives contribute to "peddling nonsense" about crime, suggesting that many people lack well-founded information about crime and justice
Ideology is often a “hidden agenda” in the criminal justice system, and its influence can be seen in policy changes over time

Crime Control Model

Emphasizes repression of criminal behavior and sees the failure of law enforcement as a breakdown of public order
Focuses on speed, uniformity, and presumption of guilt to keep the accused moving through the criminal justice system effectively
Uses a “conveyer belt” analogy to illustrate its efficient approach, emphasizing the importance of expeditious processing and screening of offenders

Due Process Model

Presents a contrasting view, prioritizing individual rights and procedural safeguards to ensure fairness
Depicts a “obstacle course” where each stage of the process is designed to protect the accused and prevent wrongful convictions
Values accuracy and meticulousness, prioritizing protecting individual rights even if it slows down the process

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Description

Explore the trends in crime victimization rates and the major subject areas within criminology. Understand how criminal law has evolved to protect individuals and regulate social interactions. This quiz delves into various aspects of crime, including age, gender, and social control institutions.