Criminology Unit 3 Nature, Extent, and Punishment

Arson The Criminal Act of setting fire to a property. – Against the law because people can get killed and property can get damaged. Criminologists study it because it shows them somebody’s predisposition to murder. – Son of Sam set over 1400 fires before he started killing people.

McDonald Triad

Bruce Lee Very few serial killers use fire. Usually used as an indicator One of the most famous was Bruce Lee. He started killing with fires when he was 13. Caught when he was 19 and after 26 victims.

Battery Criminal Offense involving unlawful physical contact. Not Can this offense put you in prison?

Assault An assault is a threat to cause bodily harm coupled with the apparent ability to do so. – Name some situations that may lead you to go to jail. – Can you go to jail for a Threat? A terroristic threat?

Terroristic Threat A person commits terroristic threats if he or she threatens to commit any crime of violence: With the intent to terrorize another; With the intent of causing the evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transportation; or In reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or evacuation. Terroristic threats is a Class IIIA felony. Third degree assault and the making of terroristic threats are separate offenses for the purpose of double jeopardy. State v. Winkler, 266 Neb. 155, 663 N.W.2d 102 (2003).

Computer Crimes Computer crimes/identity theft are the most recent criminal offenses to be added to the criminal codes. They broadly include criminal acts that involve the use of technology to commit a prohibited act. These range from using others' credit cards or stealing personal information for financial gain to intentionally spreading viruses to others' computers. This category of crime is changing daily as law makers and law enforcement officials try to keep up with the changing technology.

Examples Child Pornography – This includes sexting!!! Identity Theft Cyber Theft Treason? (Snowden) Hacking –FBI: Hacker claimed to have taken over flight's engine controls May 18, Murder/Manslaughter?

Computer Crimes and Murder? Causation refers to the concurrence of a guilty mind and a criminal act may produce or cause harm. A clearly identifiable cause must be evident in a court of law. Unprecedented felony charges this week against two young girls in Florida accused of harassing a 12-year-old classmate so relentlessly that she jumped to her death – suicide – from a lonely industrial tower. The girls told Rebecca Ann Sedwick she “should go kill herself.” Rebecca finally did. The cyber-bullying messages went on even after her death. No remorse. Sheriff Grady Judd of Polk County said it’s gone too far. He’s bringing in the full weight of the law.

Embezzlement is the unlawful taking of property by someone to whom it was entrusted. This crime usually occurs in the workplace. A bank teller or cashier who takes money from a cash draw, or a stockbroker who takes money he is supposed to invest are guilty of embezzlement

Burglary originally was defined as breaking and entering the dwelling of another during the night with intent to commit a felony. Modern laws have broadened the definition to include the unauthorized entry into any structure with the intent to commit a crime, regardless of the time of day. Most states do have stiffer penalties, however, for burglaries committed at night, in inhabited buildings

Larceny is the unlawful taking and carrying away of the property of another with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it. This crime can be considered either a felony

Forgery is a crime in which a person falsely makes or alters a writing or document with intent to fraud.

Vandalism also known as malicious mischief, is the willful destruction of or damage to the property of another. This includes graffiti. Vandalism is responsible for millions of dollars

Rape sexual intercourse without consent. – No always means no without exception!!!! Aggravated rape is when a perpetrator uses a weapon or some form of force to compel a victim to have intercourse. This is a felony

Statutory Rape is intercourse between an adult and a minor. The rules which define adulthood and minority status vary among the states. This crime has traditionally been used to punish males for having sexual relations with underage females, but it also applies to females having sexual relations with underage males. This crime differs from rape in that lack of consent is not an element. This crime is based on the notion that a minor is incapable of

Sexual Assault involves various degrees of sexual contact. It can include rape in some jurisdictions or sexual harassment, fondling or groping. It does not have to involve force. Both men and women can be charged with this crime.

Homicide Homicide is the killing of one human being by another. It is considered the most serious of all acts. There are several forms of criminal homicide: Murder is killing that is done with malice. Malice means having the intent to kill or seriously harm another or acting in an extremely reckless manner, which shows a lack of regard for human life.

Homicide Continued First degree murder is killing that is premeditated (thought of before hand), deliberate, and done with malice. Second degree murder is killing that is done with malice, but without premeditation or deliberation. Intentional, but spontaneous killings that are unplanned.

Felony Murder is killing that takes place during the commission of certain felonies, such as arson, rape, robbery or burglary. It is not necessary to prove intent, since malice is presumed because the murder occurred during a felony. The punishment is usually equivalent with first degree murder.

Voluntary Manslaughter is killing that otherwise would be murder, but that occurs after the victim has done something to the killer that would cause a reasonable person to lose control.

Involuntary Manslaughter Involuntary Manslaughter is the killing in which there is no intent to kill at all. It is unintentional killing which results from reckless conduct. An example would be if someone was playing with a loaded gun and shot a friend.

Negligent Homicide means causing death through criminal negligence. Negligence is the failure to exercise reasonable or ordinary care in a situation, thereby causing harm to another.