Crime

 What are the principle types of crime in the United States?  What are the characteristics of the American criminal justice system?

Crime  Any act that is labeled as such by an authority  Prohibited by law  Punishable by the government Ex. Robbing a bank vs. swimmer watching someone drown? Ex. Good Samaritan Law

Crime  Who commits crimes?  Sex: men more likely than women  Race: Afr. Am. 12% of population but account for 30% of arrests (no causal link betw/ race and crime)  Age: half of arrests involve people 25 and below

Crime Statistics Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) published by FBI  Major source of crime data  Compiled using local police dept. statistics  Good source but is limited Why?

Crime Statistics  Does not reflect all complaints/police officer discretion  Individuals less likely to report crimes if family/friends are involved  Police tend to file reports on serious crimes when higher social classes victims) are involved  Police more likely to file when person making complaint is respectful/compliant

Crime Statistics 2000 US Census: Safest US Cities –in Southwest and along Pacific Coast Lowest Homicide Rates-El Paso,TX; Austin,TX; San Jose, CA 3vQ2ouOuM

Types of Crime  UCR 29 classifications pg.188  Grouped into 5 categories: Violent crime Crimes against property Victimless crimes White collar crime Organized crime

Violent crime Murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault Murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault UCR…Every 22 seconds in the US, violent crime is committed UCR…Every 22 seconds in the US, violent crime is committed Most victims tend to be Afr. Am Most victims tend to be Afr. Am yr old Afr. Am are victimization rate of 8 of AA women, white men, and 30 times of white women yr old Afr. Am are victimization rate of 8 of AA women, white men, and 30 times of white women

Violent crimes Committed with guns and other weapons Committed with guns and other weapons 65% of all murders committed w/guns 65% of all murders committed w/guns Rate of handgun used in homicides is higher in US than in any other country Rate of handgun used in homicides is higher in US than in any other country o-orO8UHU o-orO8UHU

White Collar Crime Offenses committed by individuals of high social status in their professional lives Offenses committed by individuals of high social status in their professional lives EX. Michael Milken, Martha Stewart RLyD2MU1g RLyD2MU1g

Crime against Property Burglary Burglary Larceny (theft other than auto) Larceny (theft other than auto) Motor vehicle theft Motor vehicle theft Arson Arson Committed every 3 secs in the US Committed every 3 secs in the US Crime rate connected to changes in population…but Crime rate connected to changes in population…but 1980’s/1990’s increase due to illegal drug use

Victimless Crime Prostitution Prostitution Gambling Gambling Illegal drug use Illegal drug use Vagrancy Vagrancy Offenders may not suffer, what are the consequences for society?

Organized Crime Criminal syndicate: A large scale organization of professional criminals controlling some vice or business through violence or threat of violence A large scale organization of professional criminals controlling some vice or business through violence or threat of violence Huge $$$ unfair labor practices, drug trafficking, illegal gambling, loan sharking Huge $$$ unfair labor practices, drug trafficking, illegal gambling, loan sharking

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Criminal justice system Police Police Courts Courts Corrections Corrections (Juvenile justice system) (Juvenile justice system)

Police Police discretion- considerable power to determine who gets arrested Police discretion- considerable power to determine who gets arrested 5 Factors considered in arrest: 5 Factors considered in arrest:

5 Factors 1. Seriousness 2. Victim’s wishes 3. Attitude of suspect 4. Witnesses or bystanders 5. Race- more likely to arrest/use force w/African Americans (racial profiling) *what about after 9/11, or Hispanics?

Police Racial Profiling- practice of assuming that non white Americans more likely to commit crimes than white Americans OkpnA OkpnA puxk puxk puxk puxk

Courts Purpose 1. Determines the guilt or innocence of an accused person by means of trial 2. Assigns punishment

Courts 90% Plea Bargained 90% Plea Bargained (legal negotiations for accused: lesser charge/lighter sentence) Reduces volume of case loads/expensive trials Reduces volume of case loads/expensive trials

Corrections Imprisonment, parole, probation, community service, fines Imprisonment, parole, probation, community service, fines 4 functions 4 functions

Corrections 1. Retribution-revenge for victim/society 2. Deterrence-discourage 3. Rehabilitation-reform and return 4. Social protection- limiting their freedom/eliminating threat

Corrections Effectiveness determined by recidivism (repeated criminal behavior) Effectiveness determined by recidivism (repeated criminal behavior) 62% charged w/new crimes 62% charged w/new crimes 41% will return to prison w/in 3 years 41% will return to prison w/in 3 years What do you think the goals of criminal punishment should be?

Juvenile Justice 3 rd largest category 3 rd largest category 18 and under 18 and under Before 1960 had fewer rights and not protected Before 1960 had fewer rights and not protected