Florida Shop Flooded With Threats After Immigrants Escape ✓ Solved

862018 Florida Shop Flooded With Threats After Immigrants Escape

Discuss the elements of crime and recognize the origins of criminal behavior depicted in this case. Using two different views of crime and two different explanations of crime in the context of different criminological schools of thought, explain the crime being committed in the news you read.

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The recent incident at Gonzalez Auto Center in Homestead, Florida, exemplifies complex criminal behaviors involving threats, obstruction of justice, and immigration-related issues. To analyze this event comprehensively, it is essential to identify the core elements of crime as outlined in criminal law, and then explore how various criminological theories explain the origins and motivations behind such behaviors.

Firstly, the elements of crime generally include the actus reus (criminal act), mens rea (criminal intent), concurrence of actus reus and mens rea, causation, and legality. In this context, the threats received by Gonzalez Auto Center constitute criminal threats, which are intentional acts aimed at instilling fear of harm in another person. The threats of violence, such as bombing or harming the owner's family, satisfy the actus reus. The perpetrators demonstrate mens rea by intentionally issuing threatening messages with malicious intent, as evidenced by recorded threats posted online. The obstruction of justice element is evident in the actions of those who may have withheld information about the girl's whereabouts, potentially violating statutes against obstruction of justice or aiding and abetting criminal activity.

From a criminological perspective, different schools of thought provide diverse explanations for the motivations and origins of such behaviors. Two notable perspectives are the classical school of criminology and the social structure school.

Classical School of Criminology

The classical school, rooted in the Enlightenment era and associated with thinkers like Cesare Beccaria and Jeremy Bentham, emphasizes rationality, free will, and the importance of deterrence. According to this view, individuals commit crimes after weighing the potential benefits against the risks of punishment. In the case of the threats against Gonzalez Auto Center, the perpetrators may have acted out of prejudice, fear, or anger associated with the immigration status of the girl or the broader political climate. They may perceive punishment or social sanctions as a deterrent, but their calculated decision to threaten indicates they prioritize their perceived goals over potential consequences. This perspective highlights the importance of legal sanctions to prevent future offenses and reinforce social norms.

Social Structure School

In contrast, the social structure perspective focuses on societal inequalities, economic disparities, and marginalization as primary causes of criminal behavior. It suggests that individuals who are marginalized or feel excluded from mainstream society may resort to criminal acts as a response to frustration or perceived injustice. The threats and hostility faced by Gonzalez Auto Center could stem from underlying social tensions related to immigration policies, racial or ethnic discrimination, or economic struggles. From this angle, crime is seen as a rational response to social inequality, and addressing the root causes involves modifying societal structures to reduce marginalization and improve social integration.

The case illustrates how different criminological schools interpret the origins of criminal behavior. The classical school's emphasis on rational choice underscores the importance of deterrence strategies, such as penalties for threats and obstruction. Meanwhile, the social structure approach suggests that systemic social disparities contribute to criminal conduct, advocating for social reforms alongside enforcement.

In summary, the threats and obstruction of justice in this incident exemplify elements of criminal activity that can be understood through multiple theoretical lenses. Combining insights from the classical and social structure schools offers a comprehensive understanding of the behaviors involved and highlights potential avenues for prevention and intervention.

References

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• Bentham, J. (1789). An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation.
• Durkheim, E. (1897). Suicide: A Study in Sociology.
• Merton, R. K. (1938). Social Structure and Anomie. American Sociological Review, 3(5), 672-682.
• Agnew, R. (2006). A General Strain Theory of Crime and Delinquency. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 43(1), 3-31.
• Gottfredson, M. R., & Hirschi, T. (1990). A General Theory of Crime. Stanford University Press.
• Hagan, J. (2003). Crime and Disrepect: An Introduction. Stanford University Press.
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