SOC225 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Criminology, Homicide, Actus Reus
16 Jan 2019
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Document Summary
It quantifies crime: qualitative, deals with experiences and all but not numbers, could look at the reason for criminal behaviour. It could identify a specific person or group as a threat to society. It is often exaggerated and blown out of proportion as it could be a problem but not as big as it occurs thereby stigmatizing a group of people. It"s up to us decide whether an act is illegal or not. Crime is relative: rules can change, alcohol, marijuana and same sex marriage. Laws regarding these have changed over time: the distinction between criminals and non-criminals is ambiguous. Includes definitions of crimes: specifies what type of punishments should be given to the type of crime committed. Purposes and functions of criminal law: deterrence. Involves the society coming out and saying that we generally oppose an act: retribution. The purpose of three of these things is to discourage us from committing crimes.
