SOC 1500 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Malum Prohibitum, Crown Attorney, Legal Aid

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC 1500
• Professor: J.Bruce Morton

Document Summary

Only wrong because a law has been created, saying that it"s wrong. Morality (vagrancy -> loitering kinda, homeless people) Lower class more likely to be charged than middle/higher. Not acceptable in certain cultures (women can walk around topless in. Drinking age (saudi arabia, illegal to drink) Most drugs used to be legal, used to be illegal to commit suicide. Used to be illegal for women under 16 to have sex, not males; boys will be boys and will fight, girls will not & are more likely to be charged. ***defining and explaining crime**: objectivist approach (murder, organized crime) Criminals are observed/studied to see how they differ. Majority rule of what"s good/bad (people who commit crimes are bad) What causes people to commit crimes? (environment, genetics) If cause is found, solution can be found: subjectivist approach (drugs, prostitution) People in power enforce/create rules of law. Can be criminal without deviance (if everyone is doing it too, ex. speeding)