Crime and the Criminal Justice System
Types of Crime
Visible- violent (murder, assault,), property (theft, larceny, shoplifting, embezzlement, burglary), public order (intox, homeless asking for $, vandalism, disorderly conduct)
Occupational- white collar, insider trading, tax evasion, fraud, counterfeit products, money laundering
Organized- profit through illegal activities, maintained through force/blackmailing/ corruption in the system
Transnational- crimes that cross borders. Ex: drug/human trafficking, smuggling, bribery, extortion, and financial crimes
Political- things done against the government for idealogical meaning. Ex: terrorism, document leaking, treason, election rigging
Victimless- private/willing participants exchanging things that are illegal, but in high demand. Ex: prostitution, gambling, drug sales, drug use
Not always victimless
Cyber- phishing, hacking, bullying, child porn
Costs of Crime
Operational- amount of $ it takes to process crime through system
Economic- health bills, money loss
Psychological- mental toll of being victim
Goals
Justice
Done by courts and corrections
Crime Control
Police, by arresting
Crime Prevention
Police, by being there
Crime Control
How courts and police find and punish violators
Crime Statistics
Uniform Crime Report (UCR)
FBI Published, Voluntary reporting from law enforcement agencies, Two part crime types
Voluntary law enforcement agency reporting
Part 1 Offenses
Violent Crimes
Property Crimes
National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRIS)
46 crime types, 22 major groups
Done by FBI, newer method
National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)
Figure 2.1 in text book
3 year pool of houses, survey every 6 months
Crimes not reported included, so hidden crime is taken into consideration
Victimization Characteristics
Urban vs. Rural
Socio-economic status
Intra-racial Relationship between victim and perp
Major Parts
Police
Peacekeeping, arresting of violators, crime prevention, social services
Court
Prosecution of accused, defense, adjuration,
Correction
Community, institutional
Due Process
Amendments
Victim Advocacy Programs
guidance through court process, support, assist with restraining orders, compensation
Victim Bill of Rights
Disparity and Discrimination
Basic ways to put people above others in the system