Crime And Penalties ✓ Solved

Crime and penalties

Crime is an action or omission which is represented as an offence and is punishable by the constitution. Crimes against person: It is a category of crime that consist of offences that involve causing or attempting to cause bodily harm or a threat of bodily harm, these actions are taken without taking consent of the victim. These crimes do not result in real harm but the victim is just put in fear for their safety is sufficient. Crimes against Property: This category of crime involves robbery, vandalism, motor vehicle theft and snatching. It does not include a threat of force or use of force against the victim. It involves the crimes in which the property is destroyed or is stolen from the victim. White-collar crimes: It is the category of crime that refers to the financially triggered nonviolent crimes committed by the government and business professionals and by the person of respectability and high social status in the course of their noble occupation.

A person convicted of assault may face up to six months in jail and a fine. Battery is an unlawful act of violence against another person and results in up to six months of jail and a fine, and if it is committed against an acting officer, the criminal may face four years of prison with additional fines. The punishment to the crime against property is simply the return of property to the victim, along with imprisonment for a few months with an additional fine. If the property is being destroyed by the criminal, like in the case of burning the whole house or building, the criminal will face heavy charges and will be jailed. The criminal penalties for white-collar crimes are variable. Most of the laws empower a financial charge, a prison sentence, or a combination of both.

Misdemeanor is a lesser criminal act and is generally punished less severely than felonies. In the USA, the federal government generally considers a crime punishable with confinement for one year or less to be a misdemeanor. All other crimes are considered felonies. Many states also employ this difference. A misdemeanor is considered a crime of low gravity, and a felony is of high gravity. A foundation of the rationale for the degree of punishment dealt out is that the punishment should compensate the crime. One basic measurement is the degree to which a crime influences people or society.

In modern America, stories about police, corrections, and courts are common in daily news, as well as in national news in some conditions. National criminal justice stories mostly stress negative events such as unwarranted police use of force or breakouts from prisons. Research shows that the common media are most attentive towards the stories about policing; thus, they are far more common than are stories about corrections and courts. Because of the close link between the media and the police, media organizations have settled close contacts with the police, including police beat journalism.

The police use public links to bring forward their best image to the media. Mostly, media images of police are largely positive in the USA; yet negative images of police exist in the media. Such images often revolve around stories of police corruption and brutality. Media coverage of courts and corrections is not so common, and most of the very important issues in corrections and courts are neglected by the media. The media tend to use certain frames to package criminal justice stories. The most common narratives revolve around notions of failing criminal justice proceedings. Ironically, these stories often direct to a call for more criminal justice.

Different theories have been presented to explain why people commit different crimes. Some of the theories include Classical and positivist theories, Radical Criminology, Labeling theory, Constitutional theories, and Genetic explanations. Criminal attitude is learned and the learning occurs through cooperation with other people. The main part of the learning occurs in close social groups. The learning includes approaches to carry out certain crimes and also specific attitudes and motives criminal towards committing crime.

Different theories explain different reasons for committing crimes. Criminals are not born; they are compelled to do so because of various environmental, social, economic, and family crises. The previously mentioned theories explain different reasons behind the criminal behavior of a person.

Paper For Above Instructions

Crime and penalties encompass a broad spectrum of illegal activities that vary in nature, severity, and context. As societies evolve, so do the definitions and categorizations of crimes, which often lead to extensive debates in legal, social, and moral contexts. This paper will explore various types of crimes, the corresponding penalties, and analyze the theoretical frameworks that attempt to explain criminal behavior.

Types of Crimes

Crimes are primarily classified into three categories: crimes against persons, crimes against property, and white-collar crimes. Crimes against persons include offenses that directly harm or threaten individuals. Examples include assault, battery, and homicide. These actions are considered severe and are punishable by substantial penalties, including imprisonment and fines (Blumstein, Cohen, & Farrington, 2003).

On the other hand, crimes against property involve the theft, vandalism, or destruction of someone else’s belongings. Such crimes might result in the return of stolen property and could involve fines or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense. White-collar crimes are of significant concern, as they are typically nonviolent and perpetrated for financial gain by individuals in positions of trust, such as fraud and embezzlement (Barlow & Kauzlarich, 2014). The penalties for white-collar crimes can vary widely, often encompassing both financial restitution and imprisonment.

Misdemeanors vs. Felonies

In the realm of criminal law, distinguishing between misdemeanors and felonies is crucial. Misdemeanors, representing lesser offenses, typically carry penalties of confinement for one year or less. In contrast, felonies are more severe crimes that usually result in longer sentences and more substantial fines. This distinction not only affects the nature of punishment but also the societal perception of the criminal act itself (Taylor, Walton, & Young, 2013).

The Role of Media in Criminal Justice

The media plays a significant role in shaping public perceptions of crime and criminal justice. Often, media outlets focus predominantly on sensational crime stories, such as police brutality or notorious criminal cases, which may skew public understanding and generate calls for stricter law enforcement measures. Some narratives emphasize the failings of the justice system while neglecting broader societal issues that contribute to criminal behavior (Elliott, 2009).

Theoretical Perspectives on Criminal Behavior

Understanding the motivations behind criminal actions has led to various theoretical frameworks. The classical and positivist theories suggest that individuals weigh the costs and benefits before engaging in criminal acts, while radical criminology emphasizes the influence of socioeconomic factors. Labeling theory explains how societal labels can lead to increased criminal behavior among those labeled as offenders. Lastly, learning theories posit that criminal behavior is acquired through interactions with others (Blumstein et al., 2003).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the various types of crimes, their corresponding penalties, and the theoretical explanations for criminal behavior are essential topics within the field of criminology. Understanding these aspects can inform more effective prevention strategies and policies, ultimately leading to a more just society. Society's evolving definitions and perceptions of crime necessitate continuous examination and adaptation of legal frameworks, ensuring that they address current issues while upholding individual rights.

References

• Barlow, H. D., & Kauzlarich, D. (2014). Introduction to criminology: Little, Brown Boston, MA.
• Blumstein, A., Cohen, J., & Farrington, D. P. (2003). Criminal career research: Its value for criminology. Criminology, 26(1), 1-35.
• Elliott, D. S. (2009). Serious Violent Offenders: Onset, Developmental Course, and Termination—The American Society of Criminology 1993 Presidential Address. Criminology, 32(1), 1-21.
• Taylor, I., Walton, P., & Young, J. (2013). Critical Criminology (Routledge Revivals): Routledge.