Complete Course Notes with Examples: Crime and Delinquency
1. Introduction and Conceptual Framework
Definition of Crime and Delinquency:
- Crime: An act committed or omitted in violation of a law forbidding or commanding it.
Example: Theft, assault, or drug trafficking.
- Delinquency: Minor crimes committed by young people (typically under 18).
Example: Vandalism by a teenager or underage drinking.
Historical Evolution of Criminal Behavior:
- Crime definitions and responses have evolved from revenge-based justice to legal systems.
Example: Blood feuds in tribal societies replaced by formal courts.
Scope and Relevance of Studying Crime:
- Understand causes, improve justice systems, and assess crime impacts on society.
Example: Using crime statistics to allocate police resources.
Key Concepts:
- Deviance: Violation of social norms; not all deviant acts are crimes.
Example: Telling offensive jokes may be deviant but not criminal.
- Norm Violation, Legality, and Morality all factor into definitions of crime.
Methods of Crime Measurement and Data Sources:
- UCR, NCVS, Self-Report Studies - each with strengths and limitations.
Example: NCVS captures unreported crimes like domestic violence.
2. Theories of Delinquent and Criminal Behavior
Classical and Neoclassical Theories:
- Classical: Crime is a rational choice; punishment should deter.
Example: A burglar weighs risk of getting caught versus reward.
- Neoclassical: Considers individual circumstances in justice.
Example: A mentally ill offender receives reduced sentence.
Biological and Psychological Theories:
- Biological: Genetic, hormonal, neurological roots of behavior.
Example: Twin studies show genetic predisposition to aggression.
- Psychological: Personality disorders, trauma, mental illness influence behavior.
Example: A person with antisocial personality disorder commits fraud.
Sociological Theories:
- Strain Theory: Disparity between goals and means creates pressure to offend.
Example: Youth from poor background turns to theft to afford status symbols.
- Control Theory: Strong social bonds prevent delinquency.
Example: Teen involved in school and sports avoids peer pressure to commit crime.
- Differential Association: Crime is learned through social interaction.
Example: Joining a gang leads to adopting criminal behaviors.
Labeling Theory and Critical Criminology:
- Labeling: Being tagged as 'criminal' promotes criminal identity.
Example: A teen arrested for minor theft becomes stigmatized and continues offending.
- Critical Criminology: Law and punishment shaped by power and inequality.
Example: Harsh drug sentences for poor neighborhoods vs. lenient treatment in wealthier areas.
Integrated and Contemporary Approaches:
- Combine elements across theories (life-course, routine activity).
Example: Life-course theory tracks juvenile offenders into adulthood.
3. Drugs, Abuse, Gang Activities, and Violent Crime
Types and Effects of Commonly Abused Drugs:
- Includes alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, prescription drugs.
- Impact includes impaired judgment, addiction, and increased aggression.
Link between Substance Abuse and Criminal Behavior:
- Drug users may commit crimes to support addiction.
- Drug trafficking and distribution are major criminal enterprises.
Structure and Influence of Gangs in Society:
- Gangs provide identity, protection, and income for marginalized youth.
- Often involved in drug distribution, extortion, and violent acts.
Causes and Impact of Violent Crime:
- Includes homicide, robbery, assault, and domestic violence.
- Driven by poverty, inequality, peer pressure, and substance abuse.
Prevention and Rehabilitation Strategies:
- Focus on education, job training, community programs, and drug treatment.
4. Gender, Juvenile Delinquency, and Criminality
Gendered Patterns in Crime and Delinquency:
- Men are more likely to commit violent crimes; women more often involved in property or
relational offenses.
- Gender roles and expectations influence criminal behavior.
Socialization and Gender Norms:
- Early gender socialization affects behavior and perceptions of crime.
- Female delinquency often linked to abuse and marginalization.
Juvenile Justice System Overview:
- Deals with individuals under 18 involved in criminal activities.
- Emphasis on rehabilitation over punishment.
Causes and Consequences of Juvenile Delinquency:
- Causes include family problems, peer influence, poor school attachment, and trauma.
- Consequences include criminal records, incarceration, and reduced life opportunities.
Intervention Programs and Policy Responses:
- Examples: diversion programs, counseling, education-based reforms.
5. Cybercrime and Contemporary Forms of Criminal Behavior
Definition and Types of Cybercrime:
- Includes hacking, phishing, identity theft, online scams, cyberstalking.
Technological Advancements and New Criminal Opportunities:
- Internet anonymity allows for transnational crimes and fraud.
- Dark web and cryptocurrency facilitate illicit activities.
White-collar and Organized Crime in the Digital Age:
- Corporate fraud, money laundering, insider trading occur online.
- Organized crime syndicates use tech for smuggling and trafficking.
Social Media and Criminal Behavior:
- Used for cyberbullying, recruitment, and spreading misinformation.
Legal and Ethical Challenges in Policing Cybercrime:
- Jurisdiction issues, privacy concerns, and evolving technology complicate law enforcement.
6. Law Enforcement, Judicial System, and Punishment
Role and Structure of Law Enforcement Agencies:
- Includes local police, federal agencies, and international bodies.
- Responsibilities: maintaining order, crime prevention, investigations.
Arrest, Prosecution, and Court Procedures:
- From arrest to trial, key actors include police, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges.
- Due process ensures fairness and legal rights.
Sentencing Models and Correctional Institutions:
- Sentences range from fines and probation to incarceration.
- Correctional facilities include jails, prisons, and rehabilitation centers.
Theories of Punishment:
- Retribution: punishment as moral vengeance.
- Deterrence: discouraging future offenses.
- Rehabilitation: reforming the offender.
- Incapacitation: removing dangerous individuals from society.
Current Issues:
- Debates on police reform, prison overcrowding, racial disparities, and judicial independence.
3. Drugs, Abuse, Gang Activities, and Violent Crime
Types and Effects of Commonly Abused Drugs:
- Includes alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, prescription drugs.
Example: Heroin use can lead to addiction and needle-sharing infections.
- Impact includes impaired judgment, addiction, and increased aggression.
Link between Substance Abuse and Criminal Behavior:
- Drug users may commit crimes to support addiction.
Example: A person stealing to fund their drug habit.
- Drug trafficking and distribution are major criminal enterprises.
Example: Gangs controlling local drug markets.
Structure and Influence of Gangs in Society:
- Gangs provide identity, protection, and income for marginalized youth.
Example: MS-13 operates across Central America and the U.S.
- Often involved in drug distribution, extortion, and violent acts.
Causes and Impact of Violent Crime:
- Includes homicide, robbery, assault, and domestic violence.
Example: Gang rivalries leading to shootings.
- Driven by poverty, inequality, peer pressure, and substance abuse.
Prevention and Rehabilitation Strategies:
- Focus on education, job training, community programs, and drug treatment.
Example: Community-based mentorship reducing youth gang involvement.
4. Gender, Juvenile Delinquency, and Criminality
Gendered Patterns in Crime and Delinquency:
- Men are more likely to commit violent crimes; women more often involved in property or
relational offenses.
Example: Men committing armed robbery; women more likely to commit shoplifting.
Socialization and Gender Norms:
- Early gender socialization affects behavior and perceptions of crime.
Example: Boys encouraged to be aggressive; girls taught to be passive.
- Female delinquency often linked to abuse and marginalization.
Example: Girls involved in prostitution due to prior abuse.
Juvenile Justice System Overview:
- Deals with individuals under 18 involved in criminal activities.
Example: A teen sent to juvenile detention for vandalism.
- Emphasis on rehabilitation over punishment.
Causes and Consequences of Juvenile Delinquency:
- Causes include family problems, peer influence, poor school attachment, and trauma.
Example: A child from a broken home joining a gang.
- Consequences include criminal records, incarceration, and reduced life opportunities.
Intervention Programs and Policy Responses:
- Examples: diversion programs, counseling, education-based reforms.
Example: After-school programs reducing recidivism.
5. Cybercrime and Contemporary Forms of Criminal Behavior
Definition and Types of Cybercrime:
- Includes hacking, phishing, identity theft, online scams, cyberstalking.
Example: A hacker stealing credit card data from an online store.
Technological Advancements and New Criminal Opportunities:
- Internet anonymity allows for transnational crimes and fraud.
Example: Cybercriminals conducting scams from overseas using fake websites.
- Dark web and cryptocurrency facilitate illicit activities.
Example: Bitcoin used in drug purchases on the dark web.
White-collar and Organized Crime in the Digital Age:
- Corporate fraud, money laundering, insider trading occur online.
Example: Enron scandal involved falsified accounting online.
- Organized crime syndicates use tech for smuggling and trafficking.
Example: Traffickers using encrypted messaging apps.
Social Media and Criminal Behavior:
- Used for cyberbullying, recruitment, and spreading misinformation.
Example: Extremist groups recruiting through Facebook.
Legal and Ethical Challenges in Policing Cybercrime:
- Jurisdiction issues, privacy concerns, and evolving technology complicate law enforcement.
Example: Difficulty tracing hackers across international borders.
6. Law Enforcement, Judicial System, and Punishment
Role and Structure of Law Enforcement Agencies:
- Includes local police, federal agencies, and international bodies.
Example: FBI handles federal crimes like terrorism; local police address theft.
- Responsibilities: maintaining order, crime prevention, investigations.
Arrest, Prosecution, and Court Procedures:
- From arrest to trial, key actors include police, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges.
Example: Arrest for assault followed by trial in criminal court.
- Due process ensures fairness and legal rights.
Sentencing Models and Correctional Institutions:
- Sentences range from fines and probation to incarceration.
Example: A fraudster sentenced to 5 years in prison.
- Correctional facilities include jails, prisons, and rehabilitation centers.
Theories of Punishment:
- Retribution: punishment as moral vengeance.
Example: Life imprisonment for a murderer.
- Deterrence: discouraging future offenses.
Example: Harsh DUI penalties to discourage drunk driving.
- Rehabilitation: reforming the offender.
Example: Vocational training for inmates.
- Incapacitation: removing dangerous individuals from society.
Example: Serial killer sentenced to life without parole.
Current Issues:
- Debates on police reform, prison overcrowding, racial disparities, and judicial independence.
Example: Protests calling for defunding the police.
