Julia Campbell • University of Nebraska at Kearney Chapter 1 Criminal Justice Today
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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
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