1. HSC Core I: Crime – The Nature of Crime
The Meaning of Crime
HSC Core I: Crime – The Nature of Crime
Alisa Stephens
Braidwood Central
2016

2. What is Crime? Braindump
Eg: Murder, Robbery, Assault, Drugs, Tax fraud
“Against the law”
“Has a motive”
“Results in jail”
“Frowned upon by society”
“Results in / could result in harm to others or their property”
May be “Victimless” (but not really)
Reflect values and morals
Have the option to change over time
Laws made by parliament or in courts
What is Crime? Braindump

3. An act or omission committed against the community at large that is punishable by the state
Define: crime
An act or omission committed against the community at large that is punishable by the state
Omission – failure to act, neglecting to do something
Community at large – most of the community/most of society
The state – a government and the people that it governs

4. Crimes vary from nation to nation (state to state or jurisdiction to jurisdiction) Why?
What is considered a crime can be influenced by:
Values and morals
Religion
Culture
History
Legal traditions

5. Law Reform Law reform is the process of changing (or updating) laws
Why is it necessary?
How does it occur?
Law Reform
Sometimes, archaic, outdated crimes remain, despite societal changes – there’s no automatic process to remove laws which are no longer necessary.
Eg: homosexuality, witchcraft
Sometimes, new crimes must be created to accommodate changes in society.
Eg: computer crime

6. Features of criminal law
To protect society (crime is “offence against society”)
Crimes against a person, the state, and/or property
The State takes action against the offender
The Police make the decision to prosecute in court
Burden of Proof is: Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
Aim is: to protect the community & provide sanctions
Features of criminal law