1. Crime
Crime has many faces: the teenager who stole the test, the business person that cheated on his taxes, a father kidnapping his child, etc.
Decisions as to what makes a crime is defined by legislatures
Legislatures make decisions on what they think will protect the public and make orderly conduct.

2. The goal of law is to regulate human conduct so that people can coexist.
Certain acts are prohibited to protect life and property, preserve individual freedom, maintain government, and uphold the morality of society.
Ideally, the goals of law are to protect human rights for all

3. Nature and Causes of Crime
Crime is a major problem in the United States
In 1991, more than 14.8 million crimes were reported, increasing 45% since 1974, with suspects arrested in these crimes 20% of the time
In 2001, nearly 24.2 million crimes were reported, of which about 24% were violent in nature
Crime victims are also victims of human rights violations
Many crimes go unreported

4. Following a trend that began in 1994, the rate of violent crime declined 10% between 2000 & 01- property crime fell 6% during the same period- lowest crime rate in US history since 1973
Appx. 50% of victims of crimes against themselves reported the crime to the police
Appx. 40% reported property crimes

5. Crime Rates Higher in urban areas
Lately, has grown the fastest in suburbs and rural areas
People commit more violent than any other age groups
Males committed almost four times more crimes than females
Recent years, crime rate has grown fastest with women

6. In 2001, 68% of female victims knew their offenders
45% of males knew their offenders
35% of victims reported that the offender had been using alcohol
Violent crimes were more likely to occur during the day, but rapes at night

7. The cost of crime Everyone looses money Lost or damaged lives
Fear and suffering
Total cost of crime per year is estimated at over $150 billion, costing the average family of 4 taxpayer $1,500 even if they are not victims

8. Causes of Crime Poverty Permissive courts Unemployment
Lack of education
Abuse of alcohol and drugs
Inadequate police protection

9. Rising population
Lack of parental guidance and control
Lost morals
Ineffective correctional system
Little chance of being caught and/ or punished
Influence of the medias

10. Is any one factor causing the crime rate?
Poverty
*1990 strong economy, low unemployment, low crime rate
* weaker economy, rise in crime rates
*countries much poorer than US has less crime

11. Permissive courts
*Us has some of the toughest criminal laws and the highest incarceration rate of any Western Nation
*Recently, only South Africa and Russia have executed and imprisoned more people than the US
*compared with the number of crimes, only a small amount result in penalty

12. Inadequate police protection
*increase in the number of officers does not necessarily reduce overall crime rate
*community policing could build closer connections between the community and police
Influence of the mass media
*glamorizes criminal activity

13. high school campus crime
In 2000, nearly 2 million incidents of violent and property crime occurred to students ages while at school
*of these, 128,000 serious violent crimes (rape, sexual assault, robbery and aggravated assault)

14. 2001
Appx 10% of male and 3% of female students in 9th-12th grade reported carrying a gun at least once during a 30 day period
1/3 of students reported that drugs were readily available to them, an increase of 20% from ’93
Nonfatal crimes declined ’92-01
Increase in the amount of bullies (grades 6-8)

15. College Campus Crime
Include violent assaults, hate, and property crimes
Many are alcohol related (students spend over $5 billion per year)
Incidence of crimes involving college students off campus is considerably higher
Some colleges may not fully report crimes out of concern for decline in applications

16. Statistics form 2,400+ colleges in 2000
*20 murders (down from 30 in ’92)
*1,858 forcible sex offenses (many go unreported)
1,933 robberies
3,644 aggravated assaults
26,543 burglaries
5,792 motor vehicle thefts

17. Gangs and Crime At one point, thought to be only in large cities
Truth: Active throughout the United States, even in small towns
Nearly all cities with populations of 200, 000+ report having gang problems

18. One reason for the widespread: lure of profits from the sale of drugs (many also buy, steal, and sell firearms)
A survey in 1991, indicated that gang violence is on the rise due to teenagers having availability to cars and weapons
In 2001, 20% of students, 12-18, reported street gangs were present at school
Estimated in 2001, there were over 3,000 jurisdictions that reported youth gang activity
6 out of every 10 homicides in Los Angeles in 2001 were gang related; 5 out of 10 in Chicago

19. What are gangs?
Groups that close their membership to others for a common purpose that includes violent criminal activity
Ages range from 8-50
Also called posses or crews
Focus on drug trafficking, firearm sales, auto theft, prostitution
Some use group violence to defend certain beliefs (can be racist/ sexist)

20. Associate themselves with one of several gang “nations”
Choose symbols, emblems, colors, phrases and clothing to identify themselves
Use graffiti to tag territory, intimidate rival gangs, or to install fear in neighborhood citizens

21. Joiners usually have to endure some initiation ritual or test (committing a crime, being beaten, female- having sex with multiple gang members)
Gangs usually concerned with the joiners ability to sell for profit

22. Early US Gangs Found as early as the 19th century
Primarily composed of adults
Organized along ethnic lines
Had names, rules, emblems, initiation rituals, and distinctive dress
Interested in protection of turf, reputation, and heritage
All did not engage in criminal activity

23. Who joins Gangs? Majority are male
In most cases, relatives and friends of the member are also involved in the gang
Most are poor with the basic needs not met
Most are unsuccessful in school
Very pessimistic about job and future prospects
Includes all races

24. Substance abusers
Family dysfunction
Domestic and community violence
Poor self esteem
Little parental involvement

25. Why do people join gangs?
To receive attention and have a sense of belonging
Children of gang members
Peer pressure, possibly threats
To be “protected” from other gangs and police
May be the only alternative to someone who does not think they have a future

26. Youth Gangs Increase in many cities in recent years
Usually neighborhood gangs and not adult drug organizations
Gives youth a sense of stability and pride
Argued that crime rises because youth do things in groups that they would not normally do individually
Recent attacks on other races

27. How can the gang problem be solved?
Prevention
Encourage gang members to become involved in positive activities
Provide greater opportunities for teenagers
Increase awareness of the problem
Organize prevention strategies to place gang members in anti-gang programs
Prosecute gang members for illegal activities

28. Guns and the Law
Most Americans who own firearms own them legally and use them lawfully
Used frequently in violent crimes
Efforts to control firearms are controversial
-millions believe that their safety will be at risk if gun ownership is restricted
-others believe that easy availability of firearms to young people has added to crime problem
-others argue that it is not the guns, but the users, who cause violence

29. 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution
The right to bear arms in conjunction with the state militia
Looked at by some as protection against gov’t attempts to ban or regulate firearms
Others argue that protects a state’s right to maintain a militia, but does not protect citizens against gov’t legislation

30. Has been interpreted by the US Supreme Court several times
-ruled the amendment guarantee’s a state’s right to a militia
-has not struck down federal, state, or local legislation that controls guns

31. Gun Control Act of 1968
Passed after the murders of Dr. King and Senator Robert Kennedy
Prohibits certain people (i.e. convicted felons, minors, illegal aliens) from buying or possessing weapons
Requires serial numbers on all guns
Establishes a licensing –fee schedule for firearms manufacturers, importers, and dealers

32. Prohibits mail-order sale of all firearms and ammunition
Prohibits the interstate sale handguns
Set minimum ages: handguns- 21, long guns- 18
Set penalties for carrying and using a firearm in crimes of violence or drug trafficking

33. Amended in `93 by enacting the Brady Act
required the Attorney General to create a national system to instantly check the backgrounds of people who wanted to purchase guns
Set five day waiting period before selling guns (declared unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court in ’97)

34. In 2001, 8 million applications were processed in the US for guns- 151,000 rejected
States, including LA, have enacted their own legislation
-training courses and/ or test
concealed weapons laws became the trend in the ’90s(justifed as self-defense)
-by 2002, 30 states had laws making it relatively easy to get the permit
-13 states make the process more difficult by requiring a specific need (i.e. security officer)
-6 states and DC do not allow concealed weapons
-Vermont does not regulate in any way

35. Substance Abuse and Crime
Used to describe different chemicals that are abused by society (i.e. alcohol and drugs)
Has always plagued America
Contributes to social problems- breakup of the family, injury in the workplace, decreased productivity, auto accidents
Also leads to criminal activity

36. Alcohol Most widely abused substance in the US
One reason, drinking is socially accepted
Has always been legal in the US with the exception of Prohibition ( )
Not acceptable in all countries (i.e. Saudi Arabia-criminal offense to drink)

37. Detrimental to society- contributes to:
-poor functioning of some families
-spousal and child abuse
-committing of other crimes while under the influence
Annual cost of alcohol abuse to the American society is estimated at nearly $150 billion

38. Alcohol abuse was a factor in 35% of violent crimes in the US in ’01
2/3 of victims who suffered violence by a significant other reported that alcohol was a factor

39. Drunk Driving
Driving while intoxicated (DWI) (in Louisiana) and Driving while under the Influence (DUI)
Refers to a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
-indicates the grams per deciliter of alcohol in the blood
-can be determined through breath, urine, or blood samples

40. Since alcohol is a mind-altering drug, reaction and thinking times are affected at varying degrees by the level of alcohol in the blood system
Impaired in Louisiana is .08 BAC
All states and DC have DWI/DUI laws
Nearly 1.5 million people were arrested in ’99 for DWI/DUI

41. In LA, in 1999, there were 445 alcohol related deaths
Variety of penalties:
-fine
-attendance at DWI school
-license suspended/ revoked
-jail sentence

42. Most states have implied consent laws where the driver agrees to submit to a BAC test in exchange for driving privileges
Young people, as the driver or passenger, is at the greatest risk of being injured or killed
-alcohol affects teens faster
-less experienced drivers
-40% of all highway deaths in ’01 involved alcohol

43. Organizations to help:
Mothers against Drunk Driving
Students Against Destructive Decisions
Remove Intoxicated Drivers
The National Commission Against Drunk Driving
The national Coalition to Prevent Impaired Driving

44. These organizations have resulted in greater public awareness
Arrests peaked in the early ’80’s but started to decline by the early’ 90s
Total arrests for DUI declined by 20% from ’91-00
Underage drinking continues to be a problem
All states have a uniform 21 drinking age
Arrests for under 18 who are caught driving under the influence rose 14% from ’91-00

45. Drugs Effects nearly everyone in American society
Illegal drug use costs society billions per year
Illegal-drug industry has led to dramatic increase in criminal activity (from murder to gov’t corruption)

46. Placed burden on the criminal justice system b/c so many people are arrested for possessing or selling
-50-75% of people arrested test positive for 1 or more drugs
Trends are difficult to determine
-varies from city to city (cocaine, weed, heroin, meth)

47. Reports show a particularly close relationship between increased use of crack and increased violence
Drug abuse arrests, prosecutions, and convictions rose during the early ’90s
Possession, distribution, or sale of certain drugs is a crime that may violate federal law, state, law, or both

48. Now carry harsher penalties for offenders than once did
Those who sell or posses large amounts with the intent to sell face mandatory jail sentences (even for first offenses)
Under federal law and some state laws, those found guilty of being major drug traffickers

49. Some state laws treat simple possession of small amounts of some drugs as felonies
In addition to federal laws, some states, including LA, allow for forfeiture of property that were used for or acquired with drugs- sale of property profits enforcement agencies

50. More than 40 states have recidivist laws
-passed primarily in the ‘90s
-require longer sentences for repeat offenders, even for minor offenses
-US Supreme Court ruled in ’03 that the CA Three Strikes law did not violate the 8th Amendment

51. Controlled Substances Act
Federal Drug Law
Classifies drugs into 5 groups, depending on medical use (if any), potential for abuse, and capability to create physical or psychological addiction
-penalties differ for each grouping

52. Legalization???
Has been consider by some politicians and American society due to the escalating drug use and related crimes
-point to the failure of the “war on drugs” and argue that as long as they are illegal there will be a market
-belief that the US could better control the sale and use of drugs if the laws changed from prohibition to regulation

53. Proponents suggest that the US treat drugs as health problem
-they call the US hypocrites to allow the use of tobacco and alcohol, which studies show are harmful to people’s health and cause more deaths than drugs

54. Others favor legalization of drugs that could be used for medical purposes
-several states have passed ballot initiatives in favor of removing state criminal penalties for marijuana possession b/c of its potential medial use
-the US Supreme Court ruled that federal drug laws do not contain any medical use exception

55. Opposition to any sort of legalization
-belief that legalization and making them easier to get would lead to greater use, cause more deaths, and increase other problems
-feel that criminal laws deter drug use and thus reducing penalties would portray a message of acceptance
-”the addicting of America: which would endanger American society

56. Victims of Crime Crime affects everybody, but victims suffer the most.
Anyone can be a victim (the rich, poor, young, old)
Annually, 24 million Americans aged 12 and over become victims of crime.

57. Teenagers most frequent targets of crime
In 2001, people were the highest violent crime victim group
Among person 12-15, 55 of every 1,000 were victims of violent crime
victimized by violent crimes (rape, robbery, and assault) at twice the rate of adults and ten times the rate of the elderly

58. Others
Except for rape and sexual assault, males are more frequently the victims of violent crime
The poor, unemployed, separated or divorced are more likely to become crime victims
In 2000, 49% of all murder victims were African-American, even thought they only make up 12% of the total population

59. Statistically, minorities are victimized more than whites
African American are three to five times more likely than whites to be murder victims
The small business owner, the retailer, is the one that is often victimized

60. Aid for the Victim Most states have assistance programs
-provide victims with counseling, medical care, other services and benefits
Most states have victim compensation laws
-pay medical bills, lost salary, funeral costs and death benefits
Victim impact statements

61. Sometimes, the court will order restitution
Victim advocacy groups
-help victims through trauma and protect their rights
-usually deal with specific crimes (rape, spouse and child abuse, drunk driving)
Example: MADD

62. If you become a victim of crime
2 views on what to do if you think that you are about to become a victim
You should not fight back
-if property is involved, give up the property without objection to reduce the risk of injury or death

63. Resist the assailant
-be prepared to risk injury
-know your limitations
-if the assailant has a weapon, assume that it would be used

64. General rules to follow in either situation:
-Create an audience (scream, whistle)
-sit down so you can’t be knocked down
-call the police ASAP
*the longer you wait, the more likely the criminal will get away with the crime

65. Crime Prevention Report suspicious activity immediately to police
Keep door and windows locked (use dead bolts)
Beware of high crime areas (dark, deserted streets, parking lots, garages, bus stops)
Use the “buddy system”
If nighttime or in high risk area, never alone

66. Don’t flash money in public
Take steps to prepare your home while you are on vacation (mail, newspaper, etc.)
If you are a female living alone, use only your first initial in the phone book and mailbox

67. If you think someone has broken into your home, DO NOT ENTER
Do not answer the door to someone you do not know

68. How to report a crime Stay calm
Call the police ASAP (always report a crime- someone else may be their next victim)
Tell the police your name, location, and what happened
If someone is hurt, ask dispatch for an ambulance

69. If possible, while waiting for the police, write down what the suspect looked like, what type and color of car and direction of travel

70. Getting Help for Survivors of Crime
Programs to help survivors have been established by all levels of government, as well as, private organizations
Support ranges from counseling and support groups to advocacy initiatives to funds established to lend financial assistance to families of victims

71. National Center for Victims of Crime
Nongovernmental organization
Provides local services, crisis intervention, and practical info related to navigating through the criminal justice system
Also provides counseling services

72. The Office for Victims of Crime
Federal program that was established by the Victims of Crime Act of 1984
Provides for policy and legislative initiatives, as well as, providing for services to victims and their families