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LAWS CHANGE OVER TIME - Coggle Diagram
LAWS CHANGE OVER TIME
Capital punishment
- Definition - The practise of executing someone as punishment for a specific crime after due process, going through the correct legal proceedings, or a legal trial.
- In the 18th century, there were over 200 offences for which which the death penalty could be given. Such crimes included picking pockets and shooting rabbits
- Laws were often focused on the poor who were viewed as lazy and agents of their own misfortune
- Eventually, it remained purely for the very serious crimes of murder and treason
Miscarriages of justice - cases such as Derek Bentley and Timothy Evans lead to a change in public opinion about the death penalty. Therefore, this law changed over time due to the changing status of various social groups and their increased rights under the law.
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Prostitution
- Sex work, is sometimes referred to as the world's oldest profession. Sex work itself is legal but many of the connected activities are illegal
- This includes soliciting in a public place, kerb crawling or owning a brothel
- Many women thought it was immoral due to the idea but many women became prostitutions because it provided a source of income.
- The concern now is for the safety of women and how to protect vulnerable people who have become involved in prostitution, sometimes against their will
- Society changed its views of prostitution due to a decline in people believing in religion and an increased moral tolerance. In addition, the status of women changed and with increased equality, more occupations and training opportunities became available
Vagrancy
- Relates to having no visible means of support and travelling from place to place. Often termed sleep roughing and begging. It is illegal under the Vagrancy Act 1824
- Originally, the law was passed in order to clear the streets of beggars, rogues and vagabonds and prevent further crime from being committed. The act fell into disuse as society accepted there were legitimate reasons for homelessness
- Views surrounding vagrancy have changed since the 19th century and no longer is it looked upon with disapproval. Now there is sympathy and concern for the vagrants. There is an acceptance that there are many genuine reasons for homelessness and that it is not connected to laziness or idleness