Sociology Chapter 3

Acts that have victims who suffer loss of property or some kind of physical harm.

• Most commonly used measure of crime index. Covers 8 major felonies:
• 1. Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter
• 2. Aggravated Assault
• 3. Forcible Rape
• 4. Robbery
• 5. Burglary
• 6. Larceny-theft
• 7. Motor Vehicle Theft
• 8. Arson

Do not have a definite victim but rather a relationship between a criminal and his customers.

• Do not have a definite victim, involve behavior that is treated as criminal only when it occurs before some audience that will be offended. 
• -More common that predatory or illegal service crimes.

Involve an unintended victim or potential victim.

The use of the computer to engage in criminal activity.

• Crimes committed by respectable citizens in the course of their work.
• (Edwin Sutherland)

Individual does not have face to face confrontation with the victim.

Crimes committed by people who have custody of someones wealth or the power to make decisions.

Federal corrupt practices.

An ongoing organization of people who provide illegal services and goods and maintain their activities by the aid of political corruption.

• 7-17yrs of age.
• Established in 19th century. First Juvenile Court in Illinois in 1899.

Those who engage in behavior for which an adult could be tried in criminal court.

Those who violate juvenile court but not criminal court.

Those who are neglected and in need of the courts care.

Official records, victimization studies, self-reports

Based on stats gathered from thousands of law enforcement authorities in Americas cities and towns

Includes a greater range of crimes and crimes that were never officially reported.

Physical or emotional injury.

A sense of estrangement from ones social environment, typically measured by ones feelings of powerlessness, normlessness, isolation, meaninglessness, and self-estrangement.

The theory that illegal behavior is due to preponderance of definitions favorable to such behavior.

Resocializing a criminal and returning him or her to full participation in society.

Repeated criminal activity and incarceration.

A place in which the totality of the individuals existence is controlled by external forces.

The process by which an individual is deprived of the qualities or traits of a human being.

• 1. The kind of behavior considered criminal is defined by those who have power within the system.
• 2. Different kind of crimes tend to be committed within different strata of the system.
• 3. Disproportionate number of criminals come from different socioeconomic levels.

Making a judgement; settling a judicial matter.