unit 3 – criminal law. the nature of crime o definition: any act or omission defined as criminal...
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![Page 1: Unit 3 – Criminal Law. The Nature of Crime O Definition: Any Act or omission defined as criminal under the Criminal Code or related statutes. O Defining](https://reader037.vdocuments.us/reader037/viewer/2022110210/56649eac5503460f94bb2dc0/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Unit 3 – Criminal Law
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The Nature of CrimeO Definition: Any Act or omission
defined as criminal under the Criminal Code or related statutes.
O Defining Characteristics: O The State vs. CitizenO Violation of a Federal Statute
O Results in prosecutionO Carries penalties (fines, imprisonment)
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O Criminal conduct refers to conduct that may harm personal safety and general social order
O Objectives of Criminal LawO To prevent harm to people and
propertyO To prevent damage to, and
impairment of public institutions and practices;
O To discourage personal revenge;O To prevent and punish sinful
behaviour - enforcement of morality
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Causes of CrimeO History
O Evil and supernatural forces (witches/devil)O Morally independent beings who arrive at
their decisions through rational thought (Enlightenment philosophers)
O Factors beyond a person’s control dictate their behaviour (Classical theorists)
O Crime is a result of scientific theory and statistics (i.e. brain, hormonal powers) that encourages treatment as opposed to punishment
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O Criminal behaviour is a result of suppressed memories, psychological damage (psychological theorists)
O Criminal behaviour should only be looked at once a crime has been committed (Interactionist theory)
O Individuals’ weak bonds with social institutions leads to a life of criminal behaviour (Social Contract Theorists)
O Sociological theorists: 1. Consensus Theory – universal understanding between right and wrong (i.e.
murder) 2. Conflict Theory – morality defended
differently by different social groups)
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Theory Development Today
O No one factor can predict criminal behaviour, but there are a number of factors that contribute to the commission of crimes
O Age – peak is 15-18 yearsO Gender – males are more likelyO Poverty – being born into povertyO Parenting – criminal parents;
inconsistent or uncaring parenting; family violence; weak parent/child relations
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O Peers – delinquent friends can lead to criminal behaviour
O Education – poor educational performance lowers self esteem and increases emotional disturbance & frustration
O Employment – lack of employment promotes criminal behaviour
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O Drugs/Narcotics – leads to behaviour to facilitate the addiction
O Television (violence in media) – disassociation from reality and over-exposure to violence cause predisposition
O Diet/Hyperactivity – poor diet can lead to criminal behaviour
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Why Study Crime?O Must first distinguish between cause
and effect
&Effect
May help somethin
g to happen
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What is Criminology?
O Criminology: The scientific study of crime, criminals, criminal behaviour, and corrections.
O Often concerned with the root causes, and the treatment, of criminal behaviour