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