Criminology

Overview
Criminology
Research Methods
Theories
Criminal Justice Process
Punishment and Corrections
Youth and Crime
Drugs and Crime
Gender and Crime
Race and Crime
Victimology
U.S Law Enforcement Agencies
 Definition of Criminology
Criminology is the scientific study of the making of laws,
the breaking of laws, and societys reaction to the
breaking of laws.

Criminology is the body of knowledge regarding crime as

a social phenomenon. It includes within its scope the
process of making laws, of breaking laws, and of
reacting toward the breaking of laws .... The objective of
criminology is the development of a body of general and
verified principles and of other types of knowledge
regarding this process of law, crime, and treatment or
prevention (Edwin H. Sutherland, 1934).
 A Brief History of Criminology

Classical Criminology

Positivist Criminology

Sociological Criminology

Conflict Criminology

Contemporary Criminology
 Classical Criminology
Cesare Beccaria, Father of Modern Criminology (1738
1794)
Classical Criminology
In every society people have free will to choose
criminal or lawful solutions to meet their needs or
settle problems
Criminal solutions are attractive because of little effort
is needed for huge payoff
A person will choose not to commit crime if they
believe the pain of punishment is greater than the
reward
The principle of deterrence
In order to be effective, punishment must be
severe, certain, and swift to convince criminals
crime does not pay
 Positivist Criminology
Auguste Comete (1798 1857)
Argued that there can be no real knowledge of social
change unless it was based on scientific approach

Used scientific methods to conduct research because

it is objective, universal, and culture-free
Identified necessary and sufficient conditions under
which an event may or may not happen
All beliefs or statements must be proved through
empirical investigation guided by scientific methods
The results of the investigations must not be
influenced by the scientists biases or political point of
view
 Sociological Criminology
Aldophe Quetelet (1796 1874) and Emile Durkhein
(1858 1917)
Investigated social factors on the tendency to commit
crime, such as social, political and economical factors
Found that age and sex had a strong influence in
crime as well as season, climate, population, and
poverty
They were the first criminologist to link crime and
alcohol together
They suggested that crime was useful if it bought
social change to a society
Attempt to understand why people commit crimes and
what can be done about it, with a focus on the
offender as an individual
 Conflict Criminology
Mainly used by Karl Marx (1818 1883)
Societies are dominated by a wealthy elite

Requires the economic exploitation of others

Practices of such societies are designed and

managed in order to ensure that some groups remain
marginalized, oppressed and vulnerable

Members of marginalized and oppressed groups may

sometimes turn to crime in order to gain the material
wealth that apparently brings equality in capitalist
societies, or simply in order to survive
 Contemporary Criminology

The various schools of criminology have been constantly

involving, as such, many new theories have been

developed and some will be examined more in depth

later
 Behavior
The term deviance is used to describe behavior that
violates social norms including laws
The customary way of doing everyday things
Like exceeding the posted limits at the supermarket
express lines
Crossing the street outside of the designated
crosswalks

More serious deviant behavior is governed by laws

Murder, rape, robbery, kidnapping, and terrorism etc..
 Concept of Crime
A crime is any human conduct that violates a criminal
law and is subject to punishment. Does not include
violating social norms.

Not all crime is equal:

Misdemeanor: type of crime that includes lesser
serious offense, usually couldnt be punished by more
than a year in jail, however, because of overcrowding
in jails, first-time offenders arent likely to get much jail
time at all
 Concept of Crime (Cont.)
Felony: type of crime is usually more serious and
punishable by more than one year in custody. Serious
violent crime like murder, rape, kidnapping, and robbery
can result in lengthy prison sentences

Committing a crime requires a physical act

It is not illegal just to think about committing a crime;
you must physically do something
 Measuring Crime/Research Methods
There are three main reasons for measuring
characteristics of crimes and criminals

First, researchers need to analyze information and test

theories

Second, to enhance our knowledge of the characteristics

of various types of offenses

Thirdly, Criminal justice agencies depend on certain

kinds of information to facilitate daily operations and
anticipate future needs.
 Measuring Crime (Cont.)
First, researchers need to analyze information and test
theories
Without theory scientists would be limited in their
ability to make predictions from the data they collect

For example the Theory of Crime Causation

High crime rates result from widespread disparity
between peoples goals and the means available to
them to reach their goals
Those who lack legitimate opportunities try to reach
them through criminal activities (lower class)
 Measuring Crime (Cont.)
Second, to enhance our knowledge of the characteristics
of various type of crimes

Why are some crimes committed more than others

Thefts
Assaults

What situational factors influence crime

Time of day
Location
 Measuring Crime (Cont.)
Lastly, criminal justice agencies depend on different
kinds of information to facilitate operations and anticipate
future needs

How many people are in jail or prison at a given time

Number of beds needed
Cost of housing and feeding of prisoners
Hiring of jail personnel
 Research Methods
Surveys

Nonparticipant and participant observation

Case Studies

UCR, NCVS, Self-Reporting Surveys

 Surveys
The systematic collections of respondents answers to
questions asked in questionnaires or interviews

Interviews may be face-to-face or by telephone

Generally used to gather information about attitudes,

characteristics , or behavior of a large group of persons

Instead of interviewing the total population, researchers

can interview a portion (called the sample)
 Surveys (Cont.)
Surveys are cost effective, but have limitations

For example a one time study of drug use by high school

students only conducted one time
Would not tell if a relationship between drug use and
poor grades was caused by the drug use;
Whether students with bad grades turned to drugs or;
Drug use resulted from some other factor such as
lack of a stable family

Surveys need to be conducted at various points in time

 Participant and Nonparticipant Observation
Methods that provide detailed descriptions of life as it
actually is lived
In prisons, gangs, or other settings
Most direct method of studying behavior
Nonparticipant Observation
Researchers do not join in the activities of the group
They simply observe and record what they see
Participant Observation
Researchers take part in the activities, but with some
limitations
Observations in natural setting give better insight into the
behavior
 Case Study

Is the study of all pertinent aspect of one unit of study

such as an individual, group, or institution

Most difficult to type of observation to conduct due to

time and resources involved

Sources of information include life histories, diaries,

journals, letters, and other records

Usually conducted over a long period of time

 UCR, NCVS, Self-Reporting Surveys
Uniform Crime Report
Part I Crimes (homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated
assault, burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft , and
arson)
All other crimes (fraud, embezzlement, weapons,
vandalism)
National Crime Victims Survey
Sent to approximately 45,000 households
Measures victimizations people are afraid to report
Self-Reporting Surveys
Sent out asking people to report their own crimes in a
confidential interview
 Criminological Theories
Rational Choice Theory

Social Control Theories

Containment Theory
Social Bond Theory

Labeling Theory

Strain Theory

Learning Theory
 Rational Choice Theory
People generally act in their self-interest and make
decisions to commit crime after weighing the potential
risks (including being caught and punished) against the
rewards.

If the risk of being caught is high enough and the

punishment is severe enough, most crime will be
deterred

People make decisions with a goal in mind and that they

are made more or less with free will
 Rational Choice Theory (Cont.)
Most crimes are neither extraordinary nor the product of
a deranged mind

Most crime is ordinary and committed based on the

chances of getting caught are low and the payoff is high

For example the burglary of a home

Is the home occupied
Can they be seen by neighbors
Who lives in the home
 Social Control Theories
Social control theorists are interested in learning why
people conform to norms in spite of such things as
drugs, truancy, and unemployment. They ask why
people conform in the face of so much temptation.

Juveniles and adults conform to the law in response

to certain controlling forces in their lives
They become criminals when the controlling forces
are weak or absent
 Social Control Theories (Containment)
Contends that social pressures and individual
characteristics work positively and negatively to affect a
persons behavior. Some pressures make a person want
to commit a crime, while other pressures, called
containments, make him want to obey the law.

Based on external and internal pressures and

containments
 Social Control Theories (Containment)
External pressures towards crime:
Bad neighborhood (Broken Windows Theory)
Little opportunity for education, employment, or
success
Delinquent friends
Negative subculture, such as gangs
Negative media influences
Internal pressures towards crime:
Lack of self-esteem
Personality traits such as being easily angered or
predisposed to addiction

 Social Control Theories (Containment)

External containments:
Strong family support
Church involvement
Positive role models
Non-delinquent friends

Internal containments:
Strong self-esteem
Ability to resist temptation and show self-control

Because these forces are constantly at work on all people (rich or poor), this
theory can help explain why some kids in bad neighborhoods turn out as
law-abiding citizens and why some kids in good neighborhoods turn out as
criminals
 Social Control Theories (Social Bond)
Proposed by Travis Hirschi in 1969, social bond theory
contends that social bonds bonds to family, friends,
and others are what keep people from breaking the
law.

For example, my friends may reject me if I act on my

impulses and steal a few cans of soda from the
convenience store. If I did not have any close friends, I
may feel freer to steal the drinks.

As part of his social bond theory, Hirschi broke down

these social bonds into four parts:
 Social Control Theories (Social Bond)
Attachment:
This refers to the bonds you have with other people
(friends and parents, for example) and institutions
(schools and churches). Someone with strong
attachment to positive role models and institutions is
less likely to engage in crime than someone who
lacks such strong bonds.
Commitment:
This refers to the investment you have in mainstream
society. For example, a person with a college degree
has a greater commitment to society and more to lose
by becoming a criminal than a high school dropout
does.
 Social Control Theories (Social Bond)

Involvement:

This refers to the amount of time you spend on

community activities, such as sports, drama, or
volunteer work. Significant participation in social
activities helps build bonds with others and leaves
less time for criminality.
 Social Control Theories (Social Bond)
Belief:
This refers to the extent to which you believe in the
values society offers. Believing in the positive values
of mainstream society reduces your likelihood to
commit crime.
A person who strongly holds each of these four
components is unlikely to engage in crime because
theyre much more likely to have strong social bonds.
But, as each of these elements weakens, a persons
social bonds weaken, too, and it becomes easier to
engage in criminal acts.
 Labeling Theory
Labeling theory, which achieved prominence in the
1960s, essentially consists of the following two concepts:

The people in power decide what conduct is deviant

or criminal as a way to control others, including
minorities, women, and the poor.

The act of labeling someone a criminal makes that

person a criminal, not the persons conduct itself.
 Labeling Theory (Cont.)
A significant component of labeling theory holds that
labeling someone a criminal negatively affects their self-
image and increases their chances of committing more
criminal acts.

In other words, the people in power decide which acts

are crimes, and then they label anyone who commits
those acts a criminal.

For example, politicians may make the act of

accepting political contributions from lobbyists legal
for themselves but make accepting money for favors
a crime (known as bribery) for low-level bureaucrats.
 Strain Theory
Most people have similar aspirations, but they do not all
have the same opportunities or abilities.
When people fail to achieve societys expectations
through approved means such as hard work and delayed
gratification, they may attempt to achieve success
through crime.
People who live in poor neighborhoods with bad schools
and few positive role models are significantly
disadvantaged compared to folks who live in better
neighborhoods
At some point, people who are disadvantaged recognize
that they cannot achieve societys goals in the approved
way, so they resort to crime to achieve success.
 Learning Theory

People develop motivation to commit crime and the skills

to commit crime through the people they associate with.

Who you are and what you do is a product of your social

interactions

You learn how to become a criminal

You not only learn the basics of committing crime but

also all the rationalizations, excuses, and motivations
that explain and validate crime.
 Learning Theory (Cont.)
For example a child raised in a family that grows and
sells marijuana will learn:

Marijuana is not a dangerous drug because it just

helps people relax and have fun.
Selling marijuana is one way to fulfill the American
capitalist dream.
Police and government officials are authoritarian jerks
who strip people of their freedoms.
You do not have to pay taxes for selling drugs
because those taxes just go to the government to
take away your liberty.
 Victimology
The role played by the victim in a criminal incident

Many crime victims contribute to their own victimization

by inciting or provoking the criminal or by creating a
situation likely to lead to a commission of a crime

Flashing money, jewelry, cell phones etc

Criminal behavior involves both the action of the offender

and the victim

Many offenders are victimized repeatedly and victims are

frequently offenders
 Lifestyle Theory of Victimization
Developed by Michael Hindelang, Michael Gottfredson,
and James Garofalo in 1978

Changing roles, schedules, different lifestyles affect the

number of situations a person may become a victim

The theory centers on a number of specific propositions

that outline when a person may become a victim
 Proposition 1

The probability of suffering a personal victimization is

directly related to the amount of time a person spends in

public places (e.g., on the street, in parks, bars, and the

beach), and particularly in public places at night

 Proposition 2 & 3

The probability of being in public places, particularly at

night, varies as a function of lifestyle

Work, social gatherings, etc

Social contacts and interactions occur disproportionately

among individuals who share similar lifestyles

 Proposition 4

An individuals chances of personal victimization are

dependent upon the extent to which the individual shares

demographic characteristics with offenders

Where they live, play, and go to school

 Proposition 5

The proportion of time that an individual spends among

non-family members varies as a function of lifestyle

Work

Social gatherings

School
 Proposition 6

The probability of personal victimization, particularly

personal theft, increases with the more time spent

among non-family members

Such as a young man who works at a factory versus

a middle aged woman who stays at home to care for

her mother
 Proposition 7

Variations in lifestyle are associated with variations in the

ability of individuals to isolate themselves from persons

with offender characteristics

Being able to leave high-crime areas for low crime-

crime areas
 Proposition 8

Variations in lifestyle are associated with variations in the

convenience and the desirability of person as a target for

personal victimization

People who pass within sight of offenders, appear to

have what the offender wants, appear unable to

resist, or probably not report the crime to the police

 Criminal Justice Process

Police Powers

Reporting Crimes

Investigating Crimes

Arrest, charges, summons, warrants

Bail or Jail
 Police Powers
The capacity of the states to regulate behavior and
enforce laws for the betterment of health, safety, moral,
and general welfare of its citizens

Tenth Amendment of U.S. Constitution

Powers not specifically delegated to the Federal
Government are reserved for the states
Implies the Federal Government does possess all
possible powers
Power is exercised by legislative and executive
branches of each state
 Police Powers (Cont.)
The power to arrest and detain

The power to issue citations, warnings, and other notices

for minor offenses

The right to obtain identification (name, address, etc.)

The power to stop and detain a person for the purpose of

searching them if reasonable grounds exist that a person
is carry illegal items such as drugs or weapons

The power to enter a building or house to prevent the

commission of a crime or in emergency situations
 Reporting Crime
Citizens have the discretion of reporting crimes
The number of crimes reported does not correspond with
the actual number of crimes committed
Many events reported as crimes are not crimes (wallets
being lost vs. stolen, car being abandoned for insurance
money)
Some victims are embarrassed or ashamed to report
crimes (sex crimes or fraud)
Fear of retribution from the offender
Just simply, a person does not want to get involved
(witness)
 Investigating Crime

Once information about a possible crime has come to

attention of the police, a decision has to be made
whether to investigate or not

Not every crime is investigated; the police cannot

investigate every complaint and they must give priority to
major crimes first

Once a decision has been made to investigate a crime,

certain steps have to be taken
 Investigating Crime (Cont.)
Gather evidence

Observations

Interviews with witnesses

Interviews with victims

Physical evidence presented at the scene (i.e. blood,

broken windows, fingerprints, DNA or other objects)
 Investigating Crime (Cont.)
Determine if all elements of alleged crime are present
For example the crime of "Burglary" in Florida (Title
XLVI, Chapter 810.02)
1. Entering a dwelling, a structure, or a conveyance with
the intent to commit an offense therein, unless the
premises are at the time open to the public or the
defendant is licensed or invited to enter; or
2. Notwithstanding a licensed or invited entry, remaining
in a dwelling, structure, or conveyance:
a. Surreptitiously, with the intent to commit an
offense therein;
b. After permission to remain therein has been
withdrawn, with the intent to commit an offense
therein
 Arrest, Charges, Summons, and Warrants
An arrest occurs when the police take a person into
custody who is alleged to have committed a crime

An arrest is legal when all of the following conditions

exist:
the officer believes there is sufficient evidence
(probable cause) that a crime is being or has been
committed and that the suspect committed the crime
the officer deprives the individual of freedom and
the suspect believes that he or she is in the custody
of a police officer and cannot voluntarily leave
 Arrest, Charges, Summons, and Warrants

The police officer is not required to use the word arrest

or any similar word to initiate an arrest;
nor does the officer first have to bring the suspect to the
police station
For all practical purposes, a person who has been
deprived of liberty is under arrest.
Arrests can be made at the scene of a crime or after a
warrant is issued by a magistrate
 Arrest, Charges, Summons, and Warrants
When arresting someone and placing them in custody,
the arresting officer will advised the accused of his or her
Miranda Warning
1. You have the right to remain silent

2. Anything you say can and will be used against you in

a court of law

3. You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have a

lawyer present with you while you are being questioned

4. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, one will be

appointed to represent you before any questioning, if you
wish one
 Arrest, Charges, Summons, and Warrants

5. You may stop answering questions at any time

6. Do you understand each of these rights I have

explained to you

7. Having these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to us

now
 Arrest, Charges, Summons, and Warrants
Miranda v. Arizona
The defendants offered incriminating evidence during
police interrogations without prior notification of their
rights under the Fifth Amendment of the United States
Constitution
Ernesto Miranda was arrested for Kidnapping and Rape
in Arizona in 1966
Miranda was an immigrant and signed a confession after
two hours of interrogation
The confession stated Miranda was aware of his rights
Case made it mandatory to advised person of their
rights when in custody or prior to questioning
 Arrest, Charges, Summons, and Warrants

After the arrest the suspect is in custody status

They are taken to the police station and fingerprinted,

photographed and personal information is recorded

Witnesses may be brought in to view the suspect in a

lineup and further evidence is gathered

Interrogations are conducted as well

 Arrest, Charges, Summons, and Warrants

All evidence is turned over to the prosecutor, who

represent the government, who decides to file charges

They determine if the evidence is sufficient to support

the accusation

Witness reliability
Police procedures
Victim statements
 Arrest, Charges, Summons, and Warrants

Summons and Charging of Accused

For less serious crimes, rather than going to the process
of arrest, charge, and trials, a person can be given a
summons or a notice to appear in a court by the
arresting officer
Used for such incidents as trespassing, minor drug
offenses, etc.
The summons is an alternative to arrest/custody and
carries the same penalties, just more efficient and
faster
 Arrest, Charges, Summons, and Warrants
If the accused is charged, they appear at a preliminary
hearing before a judge
The accused is permitted to dispute the charges
(plead guilty or not guilty)
If the judge finds the evidence factual, a trial date will
be set
The judge will recommend bail, detention, or released on
the own recognizance
Bail is a money bind to ensure the presence of the
accused at trial
If suspects are considered too dangerous or cannot
afford bail they are detained
If suspects is not dangerous or a stable member of the
community they are released awaiting trial
 Arrest, Charges, Summons, and Warrants
Plea Bargaining
After the preliminary hearing, the plea bargaining
process begins
An agreement between the prosecutor and defendant
The defendant pleads guilty and ending the criminal trial
process
Saves the government time and money
Defendants usually get a more lenient sentence
In almost 90 % of cases, plea bargaining is used
 Arrest, Charges, Summons, and Warrants

If a plea bargaining deal cannot be reached, a criminal

trial takes place
Involves a judge, a jury, or both
Defendant can be found guilty or not guilty
If in a trial by jury, the jury cannot reach a verdict it is
considered hung
The case becomes unresolved and open for a
possible retrial
 Arrest, Charges, Summons, and Warrants

If convicted the defendant is sentenced by the judge

Possible sentences
Community service (probation)
Jail or prison term
Combination of both
 Punishment and Corrections

After conviction and sentencing, the offender enters the

correctional system. Correctional agencies administer
the post-adjudicatory care given to offenders, which can
range from informal monitoring in the community to
solitary confinement in a maximum-security prison,
depending on the seriousness of the crime and the
individual needs of the offender.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics
(BJS), an estimated 6,899,000 persons were under the
supervision of adult correctional systems at yearend
2013 (about 1- 35 adults)
 Punishment and Corrections

The most common correctional treatment, probation, is a

legal disposition that allows the convicted offender to
remain in the community, subject to conditions imposed
by court order, under the supervision of a probation
officer.
Allows the offender to continue work and live in the
community, relieving some of the burden of
incarceration. Also, provides some rehabilitative
services such as drug programs and mental health care.
Includes such things as house arrest with electronic
monitoring
Residential facilities, commonly called halfway houses
 Punishment and Corrections

Criminals who are sentenced to one year or less for

misdemeanor crimes are held in jails
Jails also house those awaiting trial or preliminary
hearings and are used for short term detentions
Often have few services for offenders and overcrowded
On average, there are 19,000 persons in the L.A.
County Jail (originally built for just over 5,000
prisoners)
State and federally operated facilities that receive felony
offenders sentenced by the criminal courts are called
prisons or penitentiaries
 Punishment and Corrections
The may be minimum, medium, or maximum security
Maximum-security prisons hold the most dangerous and
aggressive persons
Usually have high walls, double perimeter fences, gun
towers, and armed guards
Minimum-security prisons hold the less dangerous or
escape prone persons
Usually no outside walls or fences but have some
armed guards
Minimum-security prisons hold the lowest security risk
persons
No armed guards, walls, or fences
More freedom for the prisoners and access to more
services
 Punishment and Corrections
Most inmates do not serve their entire sentence and are
released back into the community via parole, a system
whereby eligible inmates can earn early release and
serve the remainder of their sentence in the community
under the supervision of a parole officer

Used to bridge the gap between confinement and a

positive adjustment within the community

Person are given a "set of rules" for release and if they

violate these rules they go back to prison
 Punishment and Corrections

Video of Santa Rosa Prison in Florida

 Youth Crime

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations

(FBIs) arrest statistics, in 2007, 16 percent of arrests for
violent crime and 26 percent of arrests for property crime
involved people 18 years old or younger.
 Youth Crime

So, why exactly are young people more likely to commit

crime than older people?
 Youth Crime
As any old person (such as me) can tell you, the younger
you are, the more energy you have. So, as people get
older, they simply dont have the energy they once did to
commit crimes.

To be blunt, the younger you are, the stupider you are.

Sometimes young people do dumb things that older,
wiser people do not do. In particular, young people
generally find delaying gratification or resisting
temptation difficult to do. As a result, they are more likely
to seek a quick thrill perhaps by committing a crime
without weighing the risks or consequences.
 Youth Crime
Young people often make poor choices because they
are assuming more responsibility and freedom even as
their brains are still undergoing significant development.
Recent studies have shown that an adolescents brain
doesnt fully mature until the person is between 22 and
25

As people get older, they are more likely to have

families, which demand more stable lifestyles. Having a
spouse and children means spending less time
skateboarding with friends on the street and more time
making a living and providing for your family.
 Youth Crime
Unlike adults, kids can be taken into custody for status
offenses, as well as for crimes.

A status offense is not a crime, but it is still considered

misconduct when committed by a juvenile.

The two most common examples of status offenses are

curfew violations and truancy.

In most states, police generally return kids who commit

status offenses to their parents instead of holding them
in a juvenile detention facility.
 Youth Crime
If a juvenile is arrested for a serious-enough crime (such
as a crime of violence), he may be held in the juvenile
detention facility.

Within 48 hours, he must be brought before a judge for a

detention hearing

So when is a juvenile tried as an adult?

 Youth Crime
As violent crime by juveniles skyrocketed through the
1980s and 1990s, states passed laws allowing adult
treatment for juveniles who committed certain serious
offenses.

Adult treatment means that the juvenile is tried in adult

court with a jury, and, if found guilty, the juvenile
receives the same sentence of incarceration as an adult.

All 50 states have some provision for this situation.

 Youth Crime
In many states, the juvenile court has the discretion to
decide which juveniles should be treated as adults.

In other states, though, the court has no discretion if a

juvenile commits a certain offense, he must be treated
as an adult.

To be waived to adult court, the juvenile must be of a

minimum age, usually 14 (although some states allow a
waiver at a younger age).
 Youth Crime
Offenses a Juvenile May be Tried as an Adult

Murder, attempted murder, manslaughter

Rape and serious assault

Armed Robbery

Arson

Kidnapping
 Youth Crime

If a juvenile is convicted as an adult, he isnt ordinarily

housed with other adults in prison. Rather, he is kept in a
youth correctional facility until he reaches adulthood.
Then, depending on the amount of time left on his
sentence, he may be transferred to an adult prison.
 Drugs and Crime

Drugs and consequences of drug use and addition are

easily the largest criminal problems in the United States

Organized crime makes billions of dollars selling drugs

and ruins hundreds of lives everyday
 Drugs and Crime
In June 1970, President Nixon declared a "war on drugs"

Increased the size and presence of federal drug control

agencies

Mandatory sentencing and no-knock warrants for law

enforcement

Placed marijuana in Schedule One drug status (the most

restrictive drug category)

It is estimated the U.S. federal government spent over

$15 billion dollars in 2010 on the War on Drugs, at a rate
of about $500 per second.
 Drugs and Crime
Types of Drug according to the Control Substance Act
Schedule I: Drugs in this category carry a high potential
for abuse and have no currently accepted medical use in
treatment in any circumstances. These drugs include
heroin, ecstasy, marijuana, and psilocybin mushrooms.
Possession of these drugs is illegal.

Schedule II: These drugs carry a high potential for

abuse, but each one is currently accepted as medical
treatment in certain circumstances. These drugs are
available legally only by prescription. Some commonly
known drugs in this category are cocaine, opium,
methadone (used for treating heroin addicts), morphine,
amphetamines, and oxycodone.
 Drugs and Crime
Schedule III: These drugs carry an abuse potential
thats less than drugs in Schedules I or II and currently
have accepted medical uses in treatment, but theyre
also legally obtainable only by prescription. Some
Schedule III drugs include marinol (which contains the
active ingredient in marijuana and helps control nausea
and weight loss) and anabolic steroids.

Schedule IV: These drugs carry a low potential for

abuse relative to drugs in Schedules I through III. They
have medically accepted uses and involve limited risk of
physical or psychological dependence. Generally, these
drugs also require a prescription. One Schedule IV
drug is Phenobarbital.
 Drugs and Crime
Schedule V: These drugs carry a low potential for abuse
and little chance of creating psychological or physical
dependence. This category includes drugs like cough
suppressants, which dont always need a prescription.

According to the Bureau Justice Statistics 17% of state

prisoners and 18% of federal inmates committed crimes
to support their drug habits

About a quarter of convicted property and drug offenders

in local jails had committed their crimes to get money for
drugs
 Drugs and Crime
In 1973, there were 328,670 arrests reported by the
FBI's Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) for drug law
violations, out of a total 9,027,700 arrests nationwide for
all offenses. Also that year, authorities reported 380,560
arrests for all violent crimes and 1,448,700 arrests for all
property offenses.

In 2013, there were 1,501,043 arrests for drug law

violations out of a total 11,302,102 arrests nationwide for
all offenses. Also in 2013, authorities reported 480,360
arrests for all violent crimes and 1,559,284 arrests for all
property offenses.
 Drugs and Crime

Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia

currently have laws legalizing marijuana in some form.

Four states have legalized marijuana for recreational

use. In Alaska, adults 21 and older can now transport,
buy or possess up to an ounce of marijuana and six
plants. Oregon voters approved a similar measure
allowing adults to posses up to an ounce of marijuana in
public and 8 ounces in their homes
 Drugs and Crime
Colorado and Washington previously passed similar
ballot measures legalizing marijuana in 2012.

Other states have passed medical marijuana laws

allowing for limited use of cannabis. Some medical
marijuana laws are broader than others, with types of
medical conditions that allow for treatment varying from
state to state.

In some states, criminal penalties have been eliminated

for small amounts of marijuana
 Gender and Crime
With the exception of prostitution, shoplifting, and
welfare fraud, males traditionally commit more crimes

Men account for approximately 82 % of all violent crimes

arrest and 67 % of property crimes arrest

Women commit slightly more embezzlement than men,

and were arrest for 44 % of all fraud and 38 % of
forgeries

Between 1998 and 2007, the overall crime rate for men
dropped 6 %, but the crime rate for women increased
almost 7 %
 Gender and Crime
Why the difference in crime between males and females

Simply, men are different; the differences between men

and women are the results of hormonal traits

Men are generally physically bigger, more aggressive

Men often lack certain female attributes such as

compassion, empathy and the need to be nurtured

Female are socialized to be less aggressive and are

supervised more closely than males
 Race and Crime
Statistics show African Americans constitute 12% of the
population and account for 31.3 % of all crimes

50% of black males are arrested at least once in their

lives compared to 14% of white males

Due to inequality in jobs and stable living environment

Often raised in a one parent home (mainly by a

mother)

Often racially profiled by law enforcement

 Victimology
Victims play a key role in the criminal process and the
victims behavior is often key in the outcome of crime
itself

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)

indicates that the annual number of victimizations in the
United States is about 23 million incidents

The costs of victimization can include damaged property,

pain and suffering to victims, and the involvement of the
police and other agencies of the justice system.
 Victimology
Violent crime by juveniles alone costs the United States
$158 billion each year.

Some estimates of the total loss due to crime amounts to

$450 billion annually, or about $1,800 per U.S. citizen

Many victims become fearful and go through a

fundamental life change.

People who are victims may be more likely to engage in

antisocial acts themselves.
 Victimology
The NCVS shows that violent crimes are slightly more
likely to take place in an open, public area, such as a
street, a park, or a field, or at a commercial
establishment such as a tavern, during the daytime or
early evening hours than in a private home during the
morning or late evening hours.

Neighborhood characteristics affect the chances of

victimization.

Those living in the central city experience significantly

higher rates of theft and violence than suburbanites;
people living in rural areas have a victimization rate less
than half that of city dwellers.
 Victimology
The risk of murder for both men and women is
significantly higher in disorganized inner-city areas
where gangs flourish and drug trafficking is
commonplace.

Except for the crimes of rape and sexual assault, males

are more likely than females to be the victims of violent
crime.

The poor are the most likely to be victims of violent and

property crime
 Victimology

African Americans are significantly more likely than

whites to be victims of violent crime
income inequality, racial and minority group members
are often forced to live in deteriorated urban areas
beset by alcohol and drug abuse, poverty, racial
discrimination, and violence.
 Types of U.S. Law Enforcement Agencies
Local Police
State Police/Highway Patrol
Sheriff
CIA
FBI
ATF
DEA
ICE
TSA
Federal Marshal
NSA