1. Chapter 7: Crime in America

2. The Nature of Crimes
Crime: something one does or fails to do that is in violation of a law
Crime rates are influenced by location, age, and gender.

4. Crime Rates Crime rates are higher in urban than suburban areas
Crime rates are higher in suburban areas than rural areas
People ages commit more violent crimes than any other group
Males commit almost 4 times more crimes than females

5. Crime is Expensive! Crime costs YOU money!
The government spends about $150 billion dollars a year on crime
Each family pays $1500 a year in taxes relating to crime
The US has the highest incarceration rate of any industrialized nation

6. What Causes Crime? Poverty Permissive courts Unemployment
Lack of education
Abuse of drugs and alcohol
Inadequate police protection
Lack of parental guidance
Breakdown of morals
Ineffective correctional system
Little chance of being caught or punished
Influence of tv, films, and music

7. Crime on Campus
In 2001 there were nearly 2 million incidents of property and violent crime at school
10% of male high school students reported carrying a gun to school at least once in a 30 day period
30% of students reported drugs were available to them at school

8. Gangs and Crime
A combination of drugs and guns has led to an increase in gang violence
Gangs: People who form groups closed to the general public
Gangs use symbols, colors, emblems, phrases, and clothing to ID themselves
They use graffiti to “tag” their territory and instill fear in neighborhoods

9. Gangs and Crime
There is usually an initiation ritual or test as well as a similar rite to get out of the gang…if this is an option
Usually proves that you are not afraid to commit crimes and deal drugs

10. Who Joins Gangs and Why?
Mostly males but the number of females is increasing
Poverty
School failure
Substance abuse
Family dysfunction
Domestic and community violence
Sense of belonging
Peer pressure
Financial gain/fame

11. Guns and the Law Government Control v. Constitutional Rights
Right for states to maintain a militia v. protection against government bans on firearms

12. (passed after deaths of JFK and MLK)
Gun Control Act of 1968
(passed after deaths of JFK and MLK)
prohibits certain persons-such as convicted felons, minors, and undocumented immigrants from buying and possessing weapons
requires serial numbers on all guns and establishes a licensing fee schedule for firearms manufacturers, importers, and dealers
prohibits the mail-order sale of all firearms and ammunitions
prohibits the interstate sale of handguns
sets penalties for carrying and using firearms in violent crimes
sets guidelines for certain firearm purchases

13. Gun Control
Brady Act: (named for James Brady who was shot and paralyzed by a bullet intended for Reagan)
creates a system to instantly check the background of persons who want to buy guns
In million applications for guns were processed…151,000 were rejected
Should citizens be allowed to carry a concealed weapon?

14. Substance Abuse and Crime
Substance Abuse: the harmful, overuse of chemical, like drugs or alcohol
Can cause…
breakup of families
decreased productivity
injuries in the workplace
automobile crashes
criminal activity

15. Alcohol
the most widely used substance in the US (because its socially acceptable)
in some countries it’s a criminal offense to drink (Saudi Arabia)
alcohol abuse was a factor in 35% of violent crimes in the US in 2001

16. Drunk Driving
operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated, driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence
measured by a persons Blood Alcohol Concentration
NC BAC is .08g/dl

17. Penalties for Driving under the Influence:
monetary fine
enrollment in DWI school
community service
license suspended
license revoked
jail sentence

18. DUI/DWI
Implied Consent: all drivers agree to submit to a BAC test in exchange for the privilege of driving.
Refusal to take the test could result in immediate and automatic suspension of the driver’s license for a certain period, even if the driver is not found guilty of DWI

19. Drugs Illegal drug industry has led to a
dramatic increase in criminal activity
This has placed a huge burden on the criminal justice system because so many people ware arrested for selling or possessing drugs
***50-75% of people arrested test positive for drugs at the time of their arrest

20. Controlled Substance Act
Most states and the federal government have repeat-offender laws
Recidivist: Repeat Offender
Three Strikes Rule: not cruel and unusual punishment, after three felony charges the criminal is locked up for life without parole

21. Victims of Crime
Restitution: requiring criminals to pay back or compensate the victims of their crimes
Advocacy groups help victims of crimes
Ex: Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)