Deterrence And Crime

It is estimated that general deterrence aims at making the offender to think twice before violating the law, because the physical and psychological pain that the offender will get through the action do not equate with the benefits of doing that action. Also, the general deterrence means that amount of penalties impose on the offender will stop others and deter them from committing crimes and prevents others form even thinking to commit the crime. That is because the human psyche is always tending to move away from the painful results.

The core components revealed in this course are definitions of crime in nature as harm causing behavior, the descriptions and classifications of criminals, the analysis of crime, profiles of everyday victims and offenses, and the origin of crime. The field of probation relies heavily on these components in order to understand and properly categorize offenders, stay aware of offender's mental and emotional status, and attempt to predict the future of criminal offenders. The various theories presented in Criminology 262 help shape the Dallas County Adult Probation Department and serve as model types used to minimize the risks associated with sentencing alternatives. The agency assesses the same theoretical categories provided by Criminology 262 such as sociological, biological, and psychological explanations of crime in an attempt to better deal with offenders. The internship experience has supported the previous notion installed through Criminology 262 that one single theory cannot explain crime. The combination of each theory and perspective enabled an opinion of individuality to form. In opposition to the core components embedded in the course, the personally constructed opinion that criminal offenders cannot be categorized and must exist on individual levels was formed from the internship experience. The Dallas County Adult Probation Department deeply reflects the knowledge

Deterrence theory of crime is a method in which punishment is used to dissuade people from committing crimes. There are two types of deterrence: general and specific. General deterrence is punishment to an individual to stop the society as a whole from committing crimes. In other word, it is using the punishment as an example to “scare” society from precipitating in criminal acts. Under general deterrence, publicity is a major part of deterrence. Crime and their punishments being showing in the media or being told person to person can be used to deter crime. Specific deterrence is punishment to the individual to stop that individual from committing other crimes in the future. This type of deterrence is used to teach the individual a

40. Chapter 14 Deterrence, Incapacitation, Retribution, and Rehabilitation: Explain how the severity of punishment, the certainty of punishment, and the promptness of punishment can potentially deter criminal behavior. Is one more important than the other? Why or why not?

Deterrence theory is influential in understanding shoplifting, but many shortcomings in this perspective should be addressed to encompass the crime. Deterrence theory understands that when there is a low likelihood of getting caught or the punishment is minimal it will not deter the individual from the crime. This theory theorizes the individual as a rational actor who understand the penalties and can logically think and control their actions accordingly. Shoplifters may not be informed of the likelihood of detection, risks, or other punishments of the crime. In this theory:

Deterrence theory has many ideas as to what constitute deterrence. Some researchers think that it is the main purposes of our criminal justice system. They do agree that it is the main goal when it comes down to discouraging society from committing criminal deeds. Because, of fear of punishment for committing a crime. Some researcher would have you believe that the most powerful deterrent we have is our criminal justice system, because they are the ones that will make sure that violators will be punish swiftly if they break the law. Well, “this is unrealistic to believe that any criminal justice system could ever accomplish this goal, no matter how many law enforcement resources were dedicated to achieving it” (“Deterrence”, n.d.).

Over the years a theory known as the deterrence effect has been proposed to the world of capital punishment. People believe that if you do something wrong, in this case, kill someone, then you will be put to death therefore preventing you from committing that wrong act again. This theory also states that by viewing or hearing about your punishment then others around you will not follow in your footsteps which will decrease the number of criminal acts committed. Econometric studies have started a panel data in order to view the validity of this theory. One of their hugest studies examines the validity of this theory. One of their hugest studies examined 3,054 counties in the United States from 1977 and 1996. The studies concluded that

I believe what should be emphasized in punishment is the verdict or outcome to all that have done something wrong or harsh. Though we may not agree always on the decisions of the courts (parents, teachers, etc), they are there for societies protection of right and wrong. I believe that the deterrence sentence (or rather a sentence with a deterrent element) are aimed at deterring not only the actual offender from further offences but also potential offenders from breaking the law. This sets a good example for society as a

The issue of whether decision making by criminals is a rational process is a heated topic of discussion when one asserts that crime is the role of choice. Before the classical school of criminology, crime was thought to be the product of the paranormal occurrence of demons, witches, ghouls, and other creatures. The time prior to the classical school of criminology, called the preclassical era, is divided in two parts. Before the time of state intervention into private matters, each individual dealt with violations of their rights. This was a problem because of the continuous cycle of violence being perpetuated. Soon the State (and even the Church) took on the task of dispensing law and order to the masses of the Middle Ages. This led to a

Deterrence theory of crime is to discourage a person from doing something through fear or doubt, the prevention of crime. There are two basic types of deterrence which are general and specific. General deterrence is to prevent a particular offender from engaging in repeat criminality, for example driving under the influence. Specific deterrence is the goal of criminal sentencing to prevent a particular offender from engaging in repeat criminality. One key assumption of deterrence theory is self – interest which is the idea that an event will not take place unless the actor believes they will benefit from it. Beccaria wrote on Crimes and Punishment stating that the purpose of punishment should be deterrence, rather than retribution, and that

Since the beginning of civilized society there has always been a need to have a system in place in order to ensure that the laws of the land are followed by all. This system, today, is called the criminal justice system. The criminal justice system is very important in serving the individual needs and society’s needs by making individuals feel safe and secure and by fulfilling societal requirements of punishing that criminal element that infringes on those needs of individuals. The role that the criminal justice professional is vital when it comes to ensuring that individual and societal needs are being met which will in fact keep a certain amount of balance within the system itself.

Part 1: Nature, Extent, Impact of Crime Policy on Crime & the Administration of Justice in the U.S.

Deterrence, is another one of the goals. Deterrence relies more on trying to prevent crime from occurring. An example of such, would be to punish someone who committed a crime with a harsh sentence. With that is the hopes that others who are thinking of doing the same crime, see the possibilities of what could happen and prevents those interested in doing the crime from committing the crime. Another example of deterrence could be crime prevention such as having more cameras in locations, with the higher chances of getting caught or being able to be recognized helps to prevent some crimes from occurring.

The social control approach to understanding crime is one of the three major sociological perspectives in contemporary criminology. in the early years of the 20th century, sociologists in the United States often discussed social disorganization, the decline of society they saw occurring in immigrant communities and the slums of large cities. The high rates of crime and delinquency in these areas were symptoms of this breakdown. In disorganized areas, unemployment is high and families, schools, and neighborhoods are too powerless to control the behavior of their residents. The societies that we are a part of in turn shape our views of not just the types of crimes committed but also who commits them. Werther, we want to admit it or not crime itself is made up of stereotypes. For example, in American culture, we believe it is less likely for a CEO to commit a crime versus that of a minority in an inner city. The CEO is just as likely to commit a crime regardless of the power they hold. Power is also linked to delinquency the more power you have the more likely you are to abuse it at some point. The same can be said for those that are suppressed by power as they want to question the power over them, the more likely they are to challenge using tactics that are usually delinquent in some way.

During biblical times crime not only affected society, but it was believed to have also been directed towards God himself. The Bible is the oldest book to reference with many directives to living life peacefully and without revenge. As retribution is considered a form of punishment, if not the first, the Bible itself explains that the punishment should not exceed the crime. Matthew 5:38 states, “You have heard that it has been said, eye for eye and tooth for tooth”. This passage is meant as a way to explain that the punishment should fit the crime. As a member of society, the offender was punished equally as brutal as the crime