CJ © 2011 Cengage Learning Chapter 1 Criminal Justice Today

Learning Outcomes LO1:Define crime and identify the different types of crime. LO2:Outline the three levels of law enforcement. LO3:List the essential elements of the corrections system. LO4:Explain the difference between the formal and informal criminal justice processes. LO5:Contrast the crime control and due process models. © 2011 Cengage Learning

1 LO © 2011 Cengage Learning Define crime and identify the different types of crime.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 1 What is crime? – “a wrong against society proclaimed by law and, if committed under certain circumstances, punishable by society.” Different societies can have vastly different ideas of what constitutes a crime.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 1 The Consensus Model – Members of a society come to a basic agreement regarding shared norms. – Individuals who do not conform to these norms are a threat and must be sanctioned. – Influences by public morality and public pressure.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 1 The Conflict Model – Society is too diverse for members to share moral attitudes. – The most politically powerful members of society have the most influence on criminal law and impose their value system on the rest of the community. – The group in power defines what are crimes.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 1 An Integrated Definition of Crime – Punishable under criminal law, as determined by the majority, or in some cases, by a powerful minority. – Considered an offense against society as a whole and prosecuted by public officials, not by victims and their relatives or friends. – Punishable by sanctions that bring about the loss of personal freedom or life.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 1 Criminal behavior can be grouped into six categories: – Violent crime – Property crime – Public order crime – White collar crime – Organized crime – High-tech crime

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 1 Violent Crime – Crimes against persons. – Dominate our perspectives on crime. – Includes: Murder Sexual assault Assault and battery Robbery

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 1 –What are the most plausible reasons for the rise in violent crime? –Do you agree with the conclusions of the video regarding the reasons for the rise in violent crime?

© 2011 Cengage Learning Video: Violent Crime

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 1 Property Crime – The most common form of criminal activity. – The goal of the offender is some form of economic gain or to damage property. – Includes: Larceny/theft Burglary Motor vehicle theft Arson

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 1 Public Order Crime – Linked to consensus model. – Activities that violate shared social values. – Also referred to as victimless crime. – Includes: Public drunkenness Prostitution Gambling Illicit drug use

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 1 White Collar Crime – Business related crimes. – Illegal act(s) committed to obtain personal or business advantage. – Nonviolent – Includes: Fraud Embezzlement

© 2011 Cengage Learning –How is white collar crime different from other kinds of crime? –How is white collar crime similar to other kinds of crime? Learning Outcome 1

© 2011 Cengage Learning Video: Enron

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 1 Organized Crime – Committed by illegal organizations. – Usually focused on satisfying a public demand for unlawful goods and services. – Implies a conspiratorial and illegal relationship among a number of persons engaged in unlawful acts. – Includes: Gambling Prostitution Illegal narcotics Loan sharking

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 1 High-Tech Crime – Also referred to as cyber crimes. – Includes: Selling pornographic materials Soliciting minors Defrauding consumers

2 LO © 2011 Cengage Learning Outline the three levels of law enforcement.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 The Criminal Justice System The interlocking network of law enforcement agencies, courts, and corrections institutions designed to enforce criminal laws.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 The Purpose of the Criminal Justice System – To control crime – To prevent crime – To provide and maintain justice

© 2011 Cengage Learning The Structure of the Criminal Justice System Federalism – government powers are shared by the national government and the states.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 Local and County Law Enforcement – County sheriff – chief law enforcement officer of most counties. – Responsible for the “nuts and bolts”: Investigations Patrol activities Trial proceedings Keeping the peace

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 State – State police – Highway patrols – Fire marshals – Fish, game, watercraft wardens – Alcoholic beverage control officers – Food stamp fraud

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 Federal Law Enforcement – Department of Homeland Security – Federal Bureau of Investigation – Drug Enforcement Administration – U.S. Secret Service – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives – Almost every federal agency has some kind of police power.

Learning Outcome 2 –Why do you think LAX is an attractive target for terrorists? –What could the Department of Homeland Security do to increase security at airports? © 2011 Cengage Learning

Video: U.S. Security Police Patrols

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 2 Courts – The US has a dual court system Federal Courts State Courts – Criminal court responsible for determining guilt or innocence of suspects.

3 LO © 2011 Cengage Learning List the essential elements of the corrections system.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 3 The Corrections systems includes: – Probation – Jails – Prisons – Community-based corrections

4 LO © 2011 Cengage Learning Explain the difference between the formal and informal criminal justice processes.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 4 The Formal Criminal Justice Process – Functions as an assembly-line. – “a series of routinized operations whose success is gauged primarily by their tendency to pass the case along to a successful conclusion.”

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 4 The informal criminal justice process – Discretion Discretionary basics Discretionary values

© 2011 Cengage Learning The Wedding Cake Model

5 LO © 2011 Cengage Learning Contrast the crime control and due process models.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 5 The crime control model – Law enforcement must be counted on to control criminal activity. – Control is difficult and probably impossible. – The system must be quick and efficient. – Police are in a better position than courts to determine guilt.

© 2011 Cengage Learning Learning Outcome 5 The due process model – Strives to make it difficult to prove guilt. – Ultimate goal – fairness, not efficiency. – Rejects idea of a criminal justice system with unlimited powers. – Criminal justice system should recognize its own capability of making mistakes. – Relies heavily on courts.

© 2011 Cengage Learning