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JEANNETTE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Crime in America
The Nature of Crimes
Crime – Something one does or fails to do in violation of a law
Crimes are behaviors for which a government has set a penalty
Decisions as to what constitutes a crime are made by legislatures
Goals of laws:
Protect human rights for all
Regulate human conduct so that people can live in harmony
The Nature of Crimes
Crime victims are also victims of human rights violations
People have a right to ownership of their own property
What crime violates this human right?
People have a right to personal security
What crimes violate this human right?
The Nature of Crimes
Crime rates are higher in urban areas than in suburban or rural areas
Youths between the ages of 15 and 24 commit more violent crimes than any other group
Males commit almost four times as many crimes as females
The victim knows the offender in half of all crimes
The Causes of Crimes
What causes crime?PovertyUnemploymentLack of educationBreakdown in moralsLack of parental guidanceAbuse of drugs and alcoholInadequate police protectionIneffective correctional system
The Causes of Crimes
Will tougher penalties prevent crime?
The United States has the highest incarceration rate of any industrialized country
Criminal Law
Almost all crimes require an act, accompanied by a guilty state of mind
Guilty State of Mind – The act must be done intentionally, knowingly, or willfully
Motive – The reason the act is performedExample – Robin HoodMotive = Steal from the rich, give to the poorGuilty State of Mind = Intentional stealing
Criminal Considerations
Crimes are made up of elementsProsecutors must prove:A guilty mental stateEvery element of the crime was committedExample – RobberyRobbery is the unlawful taking and carrying away
of goods or money from someone’s person by force or intimidation
Elements of robbery:The taking and carrying away of goods or moneyThe taking from someone’s personUse of force or intimidation
State and Federal Crimes
State Crimes:AssaultDisorderly ConductDrunk DrivingProsecuted in state court (unless in a national
park)Federal Crimes:Mail fraudFailure to pay federal taxesActs of terrorism
Classes of Crime & Parties to Crime
Felony = Imprisonment for more than one yearMisdemeanor = Imprisonment less than one yearPrincipal – Person who commits a crimeAccomplice – Someone who helps another person
commit a crimeExample – Driving the getaway car after a
robberyAccessory before the fact – A person who helps
the principal but is not present for the crimeAccessory after the fact – A person who, knowing
a crime has been committed, still helps the principal escape
Crimes of Omission
Most crimes occur when a person does something or performs an act that violates a law
Sometimes a person may be criminally liable for failing to act
Examples of omission:Failing to pay taxesChild neglect
Crime of omission – Failing to perform an act required by criminal law
Preliminary Crimes
Certain types of behavior take place before the commission of a crime but are nevertheless crimes in themselves
Solicitation – Attempting to ask or purchase goods/services
Example – Asking another person to kill someoneAttempt – Someone performs all the elements of a
crime, but fails to achieve the actual criminal resultsExample – Attempted murderConspiracy – Agreement between two or more
people to commit a crime
Crimes Against the Person
These crimes are serious offenses with harsh punishmentsLaws protect defendants by defining various levels of crimesExamples of crimes against the person:Homicide – The killing of another human beingFirst-degree murder – Premeditated killingSecond-degree murder – Killing with no premeditationVoluntary manslaughter – Killing occurs after the victim has
done something to cause a reasonable person to lose controlExample – Catching a cheating spouseInvoluntary manslaughter – Unintentional killing resulting
from reckless conduct (Accidental killing with a loaded gun)
Crimes Against the Person
Assault – Attempt or threat to carry out a physical attack
Battery – Unlawful physical contact inflicted by one person upon another
Aggravated battery defined by harm inflicted (simple assault)
Rape – Unlawful sexual intercourse without consentStatutory rape – Sexual intercourse before a person
has reached the legal age of consentPennsylvania’s age of consent = 16
Crimes Against Property
Property crimes include destroying or stealing property
Arson – Willful and malicious burning of another person’s property
Vandalism – Willful destruction of propertyLarceny – Unlawful taking of property (Grand and
Petty)Embezzlement – Taking of property by someone to
whom it was entrusted (stockbroker taking $ that should be invested)
Extortion – Use of threats to obtain the property of another
Crimes Against Property
Crime prevention techniques:Security lightingSecurity camerasLocking doors/windowsHome alarm systemsAutomobile alarm systems