SOC209H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Precedent, Actus Reus, Mens Rea
Document Summary
Crime: an act or omission that is prohibited by criminal law. Actus reus: the commission of an act. Mens rea: mental intent to commit the act. Commits an act or fails to commit an act when under legal responsibility to do so. Has the intent, or mens rea, to commit the act. Does not have a legal defence or justification for committing the act. Deviance: behaviour that is contrary to the norms and values of the larger society (ex. , dressing goth) Social construction of crime: the notion that legal status of behaviours is not determined by the behaviour itself, but is the result of the social response to the behaviour. Same behaviour may be considered criminal in one society may be an act of honor in another . Moral entrepreneurs: individuals, groups, or organizations who seek action against certain groups of people or certain behaviours and bring pressure on legislators to enact criminal status (ex. , madd, pro choice groups)
