Intro - Crime

Deviance• Deviance = violation of rules/norms

• Deviance is relative• Undermines norms/predictability

• For sociologists term implies no judgment

Terms• Social Control = group’s formal/informal means of

enforcing norms

• Criminal Justice System = police, courts, prison officials

• Criminology = scientific study of crime and justice system

• Crime = violation of norms written into law

Types of Crime

1. Violent Personal Crime

• Violence or threat of violence against another:– Murder– Rape– Aggravated assault– Armed robbery

2. Property Crime

• Theft/damage of money or property:– Shoplifting– Burglary– Check forgery– Vandalism

3. White-Collar Crime• Committed by people of high social status

at work• Rarely punished with prison

– Embezzlement– Business fraud

– Bribes– Insider trading– Cheating on taxes

4. Corporate Crime• Illegal actions of a corporation• Tough crime to enforce

– Toxic waste dumping– Selling faulty/dangerous products

5. Consensual Crime• Crimes in which people “hurt” themselves• Largest category of criminals• Over 350,000 currently in prison

– Gambling

– Prostitution– Drugs

6. Organized Crime

• Crime business that supplies illegal goods/services– Mob

– Drug cartels– Loan sharks

7. Professional Crime

• Involve a high degree of skill/knowledge/training• Dedicated to a life of crime

– Con artists– Computer hackers

– Security specialists / safecrackers– Jewelry thieves

8. Political Crime

• Committed against the gov’t

• In past often resulted in death

• Today usually fines/imprisonment– Treason– Spying

9. Hate Crime

• Offender motivated by a bias against:– Race

– Sexual orientation– Religion

– Disability

On October 28, 2009 President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard Act into law.

10. Juvenile Crime

• Committed by those under the age of 18

• Separate justice system

• Rarely serve prison time