1. Criminal Activity

2. Standards
SSCG21 The student will describe the causes and effects of criminal activity.
Examine the nature and causes of crimes.
Explain the effects criminal acts have on their intended victims.
Categorize different types of crimes.
Explain the different types of defenses used by perpetrators of crime.

3. Crimes
Crime: Act that breaks a law causing injury or harm to people and/or society in general. Most crimes break state laws but more and more crimes break federal law, tax fraud, counterfeiting, drug trafficking, mail fraud, kidnapping crimes across state lines.

4. Criminal Justice System
Includes State and Federal Courts Judges Lawyers Police Prisons All enforce Criminal Law. Juvenile Justice System

5. Types of Crimes States have penal code(written laws) 3 types of crimes
Petty Offenses
Parking illegally, minor traffic tickets,
Disturbing the peace
Trespassing
Punishments; ticket, citation not arrested.

6. Misdemeanors More serious crimes.
Vandalism
Simple assault
Stealing (small items)
Bad checks (modest amts)
Drunk and Disorderly
Punishment: fine or jail for one year or less.

7. Felonies The most serious of crimes Fraud Burglary Kidnapping Forgery
Manslaughter
Arson
Murder
Rape

8. Punishment for Felonies
Punishment for murder punishment can be death, in GA can be 1-20 years, life, life w/o parole or death.
Punishment can be prison for more than one year.
Felons may lose civil rights
Right to vote
Owning a firearm
Serve on a jury
Also may lose right to certain jobs, military, law, teaching and law enforcement.
DUI is a misdemeanor that can lead to a felony if the person has been convicted before.

9. Juvenile Justice System
Juvenile justice system is in place to deal with infants and children up to age 18. Juvenile records are sealed, not open to the public; at age 18 the records can be expunged. (erased) In some cases children as young as 13 have been tried as adults. Front Line Website

10. Examine the nature and causes of crimes
Examine the nature and causes of crimes. Explain the effects criminal acts have on their intended victims.
What are the reasons for committing crimes? Psychological/Mental instability-rape (power and control), murder. Need/Desire-a need or a want commit crimes like burglary, assault, robbery. Societal-Social structure, lack of education, poverty, peer pressure.

11. Who commits crimes?
FBI Website Data

12. Explain the effects criminal acts have on their intended victims.
Psychological and physical effects Property damage Personal injury Victim advocates, support groups, civil actions.

13. Explain the different types of defenses used by perpetrators of crime.
Insanity Defense
Alibi
Presumption of Innocence
Reasonable Doubt
Self Defense
Under the Influence
Entrapment

15. Enduring Understanding Essential Questions
Individuals commit crimes for different reasons. Why do people commit crimes and what effects do these criminal acts have on their intended victims? (CG21) Due process rights are an essential part of the civil justice system in a democratic society. Why are due process rights important to individuals accused of committing a crime? (CG22)