...Criminology in the Criminal Justice System P. Olivia Roehrs CJUS 230_B01 LUO Research Paper July 4, 2014 Abstract Figuring out and understanding why people commit crimes is a main concern of criminology. Do the majority of criminals act and think rationally after weighing the consequences of crime? Is society to blame for an individual committing a crime? Do factors such as mental diseases or genetics play a role in whether or not one lives a life of crime? Theories have developed over time explaining the above questions and this paper will explore them and their answers. Criminology in the Criminal Justice System Over the years many individuals have developed theories as to why crimes are committed. Determining why crimes are committed is a main concern of criminology. When studying criminology it is important to understand what it is as well as understanding crime. In the field of criminology, it is important to determine if criminal acts are rationally thought out before being committed, if society plays a role in crime, and what issues drive an individual to live a life of crime. Before one can understand criminology and its purpose, one must have a clear understanding of crime. According to Paul W. Tappan, crime is defined as “an intentional act or omission in violation of criminal law, committed without defense or justification, and sanctioned by the state as a felony or misdemeanor” (Hendrix, 2014, p. 6). Having an understanding of what criminology is can...
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...The Relevance of Peacemaking Criminology David Esposito Troy University Abstract The realm of peacemaking criminology rests within the social conflict theories. Peacemaking criminology is a perspective that seeks ending crime through transformative and restorative justice methods to help people create peaceful solutions to crime. Peacemaking criminology can be implemented in society to focus on healing families currently touched by crime. The implementation of peacemaking criminology would be a profoundly different approach in effort to break a cycle that repeats itself in the way society currently operates. One can examine research already available and the effectiveness of current programs with similar goals and then determine their effectiveness and merit to invest time and money. The fundamental goal of peacemaking criminology is to use a non-violent methodology to solve crime. The Relevance of Peacemaking Criminology Peacemaking criminology is definitely not mainstream criminology and has only emerged in the last quarter century, as revealed in the publication of Harold Pepinsky and Richard Quinney’s edited reader titled Criminology as Peacemaking (Barnes, nd). The overall argument offered by the Pepinsky and Quinney writers is that the whole of the American criminal justice system is predicated on the continuance of violence and oppression and the failure to explain for how the larger social system impacts the problem of crime (Aday, 1992). One would contend that...
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...Ethics in Criminology What to study? A justice system is based on rules. There are many types of rules and some interact to form the justice system. The principle rules are ethics, morals and laws. These are related in the following way. Morals are based on authority, Ethics are based on reason. Laws may have a moral basis or an ethical basis. Those in the United States are supposed to have an ethical basis. Ethics are of two types, Consequence-based and Rule-based. Consequence-based are less reliable in the long run. Rule-based ethics are of two types, Value-based and Rights-based. Our Constitution, and the laws derived from it, is based on the rights asserted in the Declaration of Independence. Whom to study? Criminal justice system Definition The criminal justice system consists of three main parts: (1) Legislative (create laws); (2) adjudication (courts); and (3) corrections (jails, prisons, probation and parole). In the criminal justice system, these distinct agencies operate together both under the rule of law and as the principal means of maintaining the rule of law within society. For the purposes of section 8(6) of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 and section 194A(6) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, the criminal justice system includes, in particular, the investigation of offences and the treatment of offenders. How to study? Criminologists study abnormal social behavior and use that knowledge to predict how criminals will behave. They also...
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...Clifton Gray Jr. CJ105 – Criminology Professor Paul Ehrler Course Project – Psychological and Psychiatric Theories November 30, 2014 Mille-Motte Online What is Criminology? I. Introduction II. What is Criminology? III. History of Criminology IV. Types of Criminology Jobs V. Conclusion What Is Criminology? It seems that criminology has become a major part in the role of criminal law that deals with the criminal justice system. In most cases it have dealt with applied disciplines and those findings have impacted in a variety of avenues such as in legislators or in probations offices. Defining criminology is very simple it is the scientific study of interconnection, corrections, and the prevention of crime. Historical Perspective Their principal aims were to mitigate legal penalties, to compel judges to observe the principle of nulla poena sine lege (Latin: “due process of law”), to reduce the application of capital punishment, and to humanize penal institutions (Mannheim, 2014). They were moderately successful, but, in their desire to make criminal justice more “just,” they tried to construct rather abstract and artificial equations between crimes and penalties, ignoring the personal characteristics and needs of the individual criminal defendant (Mannheim, 2014). Moreover, the object of punishment was primarily retribution and secondarily deterrence, with reformation lagging far behind (Mannheim, 2014). Criminology has been around since about...
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...discriminated in the criminal justice system. Various stereotypes and assumptions about females in the criminal justice system, saw feminist perspectives challenge the theories, concepts and assumptions of those involved in the study of crime (Bryant, 2014). This essay begins by firstly providing a brief description and its origins, how feminist theories causes crime, how its theory defines crime, the multiple feminist perspectives within feminism and how feminist criminology attempts to combat crime. It will then discuss the relevance and how feminist theory influences the criminal justice system, such as women’s role as professionals, as well as women as offenders and victims (Schram & Tibbetts 2013, p. 285). Finally, this essay will examine the applicability to Australian society by exploring if the suggested causes of crime apply to Australian society. It will lastly draw on the criticisms of feminist criminology and how the different types of feminist perspectives lessons the relevance of this theory in Australian society. Outlining the theory Feminist criminology first developed in the 1960’s and 1970’s which was closely associated with the emergence of the Second Wave of Feminism (White, Haines & Asquith 2012, p. 143). The Second Wave of Feminism saw the advent of many issues such as social, political and material inequalities (White, Haines & Asquith 2012, p. 143). Because men were mostly privileged as a group by society, the development of feminist criminology emphasised and...
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...German philosophers, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engles; such ideologies include the system of institutions such as family, churches, the education system, and mass media. The ideologies of the ruling class thus render the working class (proletariat) into conformity by persuading them that the interests of the capitalists (bourgeoisie) are also in the interest of the working class. These ideologies defend and uphold the social position of the ruling classes. Jeffery Reimen stated that, the rich get richer and the poor get prison, thus, as the laws reflect the ideologies of the ruling class, there cannot be equality before the law, as the law protects those who define it. This essay will demonstrate the issue of the justice system within capitalist societies and the effects of the law and policy formations that reflect the wishes and ideologies of the ruling class, while exploiting the poor. The broad theory of critical criminology also known as radical criminology, explores various theoretical perspectives, specifically Marxist criminology and labeling theory. In light of these perspectives, this essay will provide insight on the disproportionate and bias treatment of the criminal justice system. White-collar crime (corporate crimes) and blue-collar crime (street crimes) will be used as illustrations of the disproportion of class systems within capitalist societies in terms of the criminal justice system, which further address how legislations and policies reflect the wishes ideologies...
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...Rendezvous Discipline Criminology is known as a ‘Rendezvous’ discipline; discuss the meaning and validity of this label The purpose of this essay is to discuss the meaning and validity of the label criminology has as a ‘rendezvous discipline’. To do this, this essay illuminates where criminology originates from and what its primary focus is. The Chicago School, Lombrosian Theory, Positivist and Classical criminology, are discussed. Other disciplines namely Sociology, Psychology, and the Criminal Justice Sector are examined and applied to the broad subject of criminology, to show the network of how this subject came to be recognised as such a discipline. Exposed are main issues that occur for the likes of criminologists and other social scientists when challenged with defining criminology; and the problems that definition’s carry with themselves. This essay will look in to the birth of criminology as a new discipline and how it has evolved in what it is known today as an applied social science. Explanation of what an ‘applied social science’ will be detailed and collectively the answer to the meaning and validity of the label of ‘rendezvous discipline’ will be provided. Topics that criminology is weaved into for instance are Globalisation, Capital Punishment, Serial Killing, Media, and Genocide. Used to demonstrate the importance that this discipline provides, in a range of contexts Media is the focus later in the essay. Criminology can be studied on its own as a subject...
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...“Privatizing conflicts”. Concerns with restorative justice Table of content Introduction 2 1 The appeal of restorative justice 3 2 Privatizing conflicts 5 2.1 Legal sphere concerns with privatizing conflicts 5 2.2 Feministic concerns with privatizing conflicts 8 3 Underexplored pitfalls 11 Conclusion 12 References 14 Introduction This paper is written within the framework of the master course ‘Restorative Justice’. It aims to be an academic reflection on some of the concepts educated throughout these classes.[1] The literature on restorative justice is extensive and therefore the case for it will not be made again here. Basic notions will not be repeated in this paper. The majority of criminologists already accept the letdown of the current criminal justice system on certain accounts; problems have been solidly exposed and opponents of restorative justice have been constantly defending the need for their rationale. Perceived advantages are well-known and have been documented soundly. But this work attempts to look beyond the reform minded and optimistic spirit that most of the restorative body of thought (rightfully) carries. Certain less obvious aspects of the theory might be underconceptualized, overlooked or taken for granted. Taking the concern of some more critical authors that restorative justice processes ‘privatize’ conflicts as a starting point, it will be explored whether or not this privatizing...
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...------------------------------------------------- Crime in context Discuss the role of the media in the construction of the general public`s perceptions of crime and the implications of this for the development of safety policies. The primary source of information on crime and safety policies is the mass media. Mass media has a primary aim to inform and entertain and therefore the coverage of crime may be inaccurate, biased and may promote inappropriate policies of crime control. However, the influence that the media imposes upon the public about crime will ultimately be dependent upon how the content of the media is interpreted by specific audiences. In relation to crime statistics and the public’s perceptions, the Government's British Crime Survey (BCS) of 2008/9, results showed that UK public felt crime had increased locally from 36 per cent in 2007/08 to 38 per cent in 2008/09 and an increase in the proportion of people who think crime has increased nationally from 65 per cent in 2007/08 to 75 per cent in 2008/09 when in fact the figures had decreased. On the other hand, some categories of crime did show an increase, such as theft from the person which increased by 7 per cent. Two main categories of mass media are print media and electronic media. Both categories differ in the way that print media is mainly factual and electronic media tends to provide visual imaging to relay information. At present visual media coverage is the most predominant in conveying the meanings...
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...Scholarly Journal Criminology Theory October 16, 2012 Scholarly Journal The growing figures of women implicated in the criminal-justice system and the shortage of programs and assistance that are equipped toward their necessities has encouraged criminal justice experts to investigate their sanctioning and oversight procedures in terms of gender. However, there is additionally comprehensive information concerning the attributes of women in prisons and jails, there are considerably fewer facts on female delinquents in community correctional environments. The failure of mature females in criminal-justice investigation has been substantiated on the grounds that they report for only a short fraction of apprehensions and move fewer delinquencies than males. This explanation disregards the fact that, adult females who do register in the justice system, while fewer other and less vicious than their male counterparts, generally come to be extensive users of the system. In concentrating on the devastating quantity of males in the criminal and juvenile justice organizations programs, procedures and services usually fall through to produce a mixture of options for conducting with the gender and culturally specific complications of female offenders implicated in the system. For Gottfredson and Hirschi, transgression can generally be diminished to “acts of force or fraud undertaken in pursuit of self-interest,” which is speculative of both cross-cultural and reforming authentic interpretations...
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...society and crime in media. Furthermore, the nature in which media crime framed will be examined. Finally, this paper will demonstrate how media crime distorts public perception in relation to how crime is in reality. It is through an examination of these points that a conclusion will be met, one that projects the crime in media as a false representation of crime in society. A criminal justice system plays a key role in the functioning of modern societies around world and despite this most people only have the portrayal of media sources to give context to the idea. According to Shrum, the only exposure to a criminal justice system that people perceive is through the media (Tapscott, 2011). Corroboratively, research conducted by the Australian Psychological Society suggests that “media portrayals of crime has shown that in general people overestimate the level of crime in their community, and media representations of crime are often thought to be partly responsible for this” (2013 p. 5). The research conducted by Shrum and the APS indicates that the lack of understanding revolving around the criminal justice system stems from...
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...many, but not necessarily all, of the dynamics of the criminal justice system apply to various racial and ethnic groups. 3. Leinfelt, F. H. (2006). Racial Influences on the Likelihood of Police Searches and Search Hits: A Longitudinal Analysis from an American Midwestern City. Police Journal, 79(3): 238–257. 4. Office of Justice Systems Analysis (1995). Disparities in Processing Felony Arrests in New York State: 1990–1992, Office of Justice Systems Analysis, New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. 5. Sabol, W. J., and Couture, H. (2008). Prison Inmates at Midyear 2007. Washington, D.C. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 6. U.S. Census Bureau (2007). 2006 American Community Survey. Available online at: http://www.census.gov/acs/ www/index.html. 7. Sabol and Couture, op. cit. 8. U.S. Census Bureau, op. cit. 9. Bonczar, T. P. (2003). Prevalence of Imprisonment in the U.S. Population, 1974–2001. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Justice Statistics. 10. Snyder, H. (2006). Juvenile Arrests 2004. OJJDP Bulletin: Washington, D.C.: National Disproportionate Minority Contact Databook. 11. Federal Bureau of Investigation (2007). Crime in the United States, 2006. Washington, D.C. 12. Spohn, C. (2001). Thirty Years of Sentencing Reform: The Quest for a Racially Neutral Sentencing Process. In W. Reed & L. Winterfield (Eds.), Criminal Justice 2000 (Vol. 3, pp. 566). Washington, D.C.: National Institute of Justice. 13. King, R. (2008). Disparity by Geography: The...
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...Criminal Justice Trends Joann Harris CJA/484 September 17, 2012 Robert Metzger Criminal Justice Trends This paper is on criminal justice trends. In this paper, past, present, and future trends in law enforcement will be discussed. Also, the budgetary and managerial will also be discussed. These things are important in all areas of criminal justice. The way that the criminal justice system changes from the past to the present has had a big impact on the way the criminal justice system is. Changes that were in the past had an impact on the present as changes in the present will have an impact on the future. The changes that will be in the future will also have a big impact on the criminal justice system. With changes, no matter how big or how small always has impact to the upcoming years. When it comes to the criminal justice system, it does not matter if it is in law enforcement, (police, detectives, or any other), courts (judges or lawyers), or even corrections, they are all important. They all have a big impact on the criminal justice system and how it is ran. There are different types or jobs of law enforcement. Some of these jobs are: * Uniformed police officers * Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs * State police, also known as state troopers or highway patrol officers. * Detectives Just to name a few. They are all important to the past, present, and future of the criminal justice system. They all had important jobs in the past and they still...
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...treated equally and fairly like men and upper-class women. The civil rights activist fought very much for their rights during this time. However, not a lot resulted during this wave which led to the third wave of feminism evolution. The third wave developed to improve the second wave short comings. This is the new generation of feminists who know their rights and what gender equality is. Society generally favored men hence the need for social movements towards females rights to be heard. Feminism and Criminology Feminist criminology evolved during the time women were being judged on their gender rather than the type they committed. Gender inequality is basically due to men trying to control women and their sexuality. Feminists insist that sexism is the most common form of human oppression (Harrison, Wendy 2006). For many decades, different cultures have categorized women into 'either/or/ roles. In the 1960s women were categorized as either professionals or criminal. When it came to stereotypes, black women became greater victims of the color of their skin. There are those believed to have a bad temper and controlling....
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...Pepinsky and Richard Quinney introduce a new perspective called peacemaking criminology (Moloney, 2009). Peacemaking criminology is a nonviolent approach to eliminate other forms of interpersonal violence and harm (McEvoy and Newburn, 2003). It gets to the root of the problem; not just scratching the surface like the current method of correcting a problem. Peacemaking criminology can influence the concerns of mandatory arrest policies, domestic violence, and community policing that have been problematic for years (Moloney, 2009). In order to solve a problem you must get to the root of...
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