Chapter 1 · 2018-09-10 · Julia Campbell • University of Nebraska at Kearney Chapter 1 Criminal Justice Today. Defining Crime ... Basics of Corrections The Corrections systems

Julia Campbell • University of Nebraska at Kearney

Chapter 1Criminal Justice Today

Defining Crime What is crime?

Crime violates criminal law.

Crime is punishable by criminal sanctions.

Concept of criminality evolves and changes with society’s views.

Consensus Model Assumes diverse group of people have similar

morals as to what is “right” and “wrong.”

Crime are acts that violate this shared value system and are deemed harmful to society.

Conflict Model

Assumes that society is so diverse that members do not share moral attitudes.

Most politically powerful members of society have most influence on criminal law and impose their value system on the community.

Integrated Definition of Crime

Crime = action that is punishable under criminal law as defined by a society.

Considered an offense against society as a whole, not just victim. Punishable by law.

Six Categories of Crime

Violent

Property

Public order

White collar

Organized

High-tech

Violent Crime

Crimes against persons.

dominates our perspectives on crime.

Murder

Sexual assault

Assault and battery

robbery

Property Crime

Most common form of criminal activity.

Goal = economic gain or property damage

theft

Burglary

Motor vehicle theft

Arson

Public Order Crime

Behavior that is outlawed because it violates shared social values (“victimless crimes”)

Public drunkenness

Prostitution

Illicit drug use

White Collar Crime

Business related offenses.

Generally non-violent and committed to obtain a business or personal advantage.

Organized Crime

Illegal acts by illegal organizations (often violent).

Loan sharking

Gambling

Prostitution

High-Tech Crime

A.K.A. cyber crimes. Selling illegal material online

Cyberstalking

Hacking

Formal vs. Informal CJ systems

The formal criminal justice process

assembly-line – example – those who commit crimes are arrested, tried, convicted, punished

The informal criminal justice process

Based on the use of discretion

Discretion – the use of judgment to make a decision

Crime Control Model and Due

Process Model

The crime control model

Primary emphasis on the right of society to be protected from crime.

The due process model

Primary emphasis on the right of the individual to be protected from the power of government.

Federal Law Enforcement The Department of Homeland Security was

established after 9/11 to unite various agencies

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF)

Local & State Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement City/town police agencies

County Sheriffs

State law enforcement State police

Highway patrols

If you end up involved in the

Criminal Justice system…

The Courts

The United States has a dual court system.

Comprised of one federal court and fifty different state court systems.

Basics of Corrections

The Corrections systems includes:

Prisons

Jails

Community-based corrections (ex: probation)

Parole

a. Climbing a Ladder

b. Terrorism

c. Knives

d. McDonald’se. Tanning Salons

f. Guns

g. Rats

h. Alcohol

i. Cold Weather

j. Cars

k. Baseball

Perceived Vulnerabilities

Violent Crime – “top of the wedding cake” – tends to be psychologically intimidating

Most people cite these as their greatest fears despite statistics

Key Indicators of violent crime

involvement

Drugs and Alcohol Link

Drug Smuggling Organizations

Street Gangs

Crime Control vs. Due Process

Crime Control – “Tough on Crime Policies” – 1980s and 1990s – lower crime rates

Recent trend – move toward due process model – tough economic times