Criminology Exam1
Amanda Damon
January 29th, 2013
Introduction to Criminology
Dusan I. Bjelic
Exam 1
After reading the assigned chapters and viewing the videos, discuss in your essay why “legalistic” definition of crime is not sufficient to cover all criminal activities: The legalistic definition of crime is not sufficient to cover all criminal activities because the word crime means for someone to perform act upon or do something that is against the law and can be a threat against the public. It does not cover all of the criminal activities because in the media or with people who are recognized can act upon crimes but do not have any repercussions of them. There are many different types of crime, and there are many levels of criminals. Also, in the readings and the videos there are people that are struggling because of their race, or their financial situations to where they do not have the means to fight for justice. Also, there are many times that people do not report the crimes to the proper authorities and that is for many different reasons. Also under the legalistic definition of crime it says that people will be disciplined for their wrong doings. Although there are often times people seem to slip away from the criminal justice system and the crimes are gone like they never happened. Even if something very real did happen to a particular person or family, it is often dismissed like it never occurred. What is “criminalization” and how does it relate to criminal justice system? “Criminalization refers to the process whereby criminal law is selectively applied to social behavior (18 Beire and Messerschmidt).” Which really means there is a law in place for everyone and all are supposed to follow it however if there are triggers for social groups or minorities it seems to play a role. If there are people that are in a lower social class and they do not have the funding or brought up in a neighborhood where crime is high then they are going to be targeted from crimes,
January 29th, 2013
Introduction to Criminology
Dusan I. Bjelic
Exam 1
After reading the assigned chapters and viewing the videos, discuss in your essay why “legalistic” definition of crime is not sufficient to cover all criminal activities: The legalistic definition of crime is not sufficient to cover all criminal activities because the word crime means for someone to perform act upon or do something that is against the law and can be a threat against the public. It does not cover all of the criminal activities because in the media or with people who are recognized can act upon crimes but do not have any repercussions of them. There are many different types of crime, and there are many levels of criminals. Also, in the readings and the videos there are people that are struggling because of their race, or their financial situations to where they do not have the means to fight for justice. Also, there are many times that people do not report the crimes to the proper authorities and that is for many different reasons. Also under the legalistic definition of crime it says that people will be disciplined for their wrong doings. Although there are often times people seem to slip away from the criminal justice system and the crimes are gone like they never happened. Even if something very real did happen to a particular person or family, it is often dismissed like it never occurred. What is “criminalization” and how does it relate to criminal justice system? “Criminalization refers to the process whereby criminal law is selectively applied to social behavior (18 Beire and Messerschmidt).” Which really means there is a law in place for everyone and all are supposed to follow it however if there are triggers for social groups or minorities it seems to play a role. If there are people that are in a lower social class and they do not have the funding or brought up in a neighborhood where crime is high then they are going to be targeted from crimes,