Seven Crime Elements

Throughout history, certain crimes have been separated into different categories base on their prevalence. For every crime, the offense and charge is different. In addition, not every

This essay will outline how crime theories are able to assist in recognizing the causes of criminal activity, as well as demonstrating two criminological theories to two particular crimes. Overviews of trends, dimensions and victim/offenders characteristics of both crime groups will be specified. The two particular crimes that will be demonstrated throughout this essay are; Violent Crime (focusing on Assault) being linked with social learning theory and White Collar crime (focusing on terrorism) being linked to General Strain theory. In criminology, determining the motive of why people commit crimes is crucial. Over the years, many theories have been developed and they continue to be studied as criminologists pursue the best answers in eventually diminishing certain types of crime including assaults and terrorism, which will be focused on.

These crimes are largely considered victimless or consensual crimes, which Siegel (2004) references as "crime which [sic] involves acts that interfere with the operations of society and the ability of people to function efficiently." Generally considered as those inclusive of: alcoholism, deviant sex, disorderly conduct, driving while intoxicated, drug offenses, homosexuality, liquor law violations, pornography, precocious sex, prostitution, and public drunkenness (Siegel, 2004).

American law comprises of many levels of modified and unmodified but the most important is the USA constitution and the federal government of the United States. Constitution is meant that it sets up the boundaries of other laws such as federal laws as an act of congress while case law originates from the federal judiciary. The states of the American are plenty sovereign each with its constitution. American laws especially contract, tort, property, criminal, and family law experienced by the majority of citizens on a day-to-day basis) consists primarily of state law, which can and does vary greatly from one state to the next. The common law system of English law which was there at the revolutionary time brought the federal and state law of today. American law is now derived from five major sources which are constitutional law, statutory law, treaties, administrative

Violent crime covers four categories of offenses: robbery, forcible rape, aggravated assault, murder and non-negligent manslaughter. Property crime on the other hand comprises four classes of offences namely: arson, burglary, motor vehicle theft, and larceny (Bioshop and Frazier, 2006).

There are three conjoined elements of crime: Mental State (Mens Rea), Conduct (Actus Reus), and Concurrence.

Throughout the social development of individuals, there are several things that we learn through inclusion and the way in which parents raise us. We learn how to make appropriate social interactions depending on who is in our presence, we learn social expectation, what is considered good behavior, and finally what is considered bad behavior. Yet, awareness of what can constitute as criminal conduct has become increasingly prominent in our culture, especially with the strong presence in social media that it now has. However, what we are often exposed to are adult criminal assailants, and we rarely hear about juvenile, unless they have committed an extreme offense. But it is that last population, the one that we need to focus on, considering that it is them that can move to the extremes; to get blossom under help or to commit an increasing amount of crime.

In Tennessee, all three have been deemed criminal and technically meet some of the seven elements of a crime. However, to what extent is debatable.

There are many acts to cover like; The Anti- Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, Police Reform act 2002, Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003 and a Crime and Disorder Act 1998. But the first one that I will be covering is the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. This is an act which was put into power to cover a range of topics from giving people information about harm in relationships, violence, forced marriages and guns. This will help to protect the victims who were involved in harmful relationships. With the act introducing new powers it gives the

1. The theories and perspectives in this unit focus on the environmental and social influence of crime. Do you think that environmental and social conditions influence crime? Why or why not? Between biological, psychological, and social factors, which one do you think plays the biggest role in crime? Why?

A common belief is that drugs cause crime; and in the criminal justice system there are terms used for crime that is related to or due to the use of drugs. First there are “drug defined offences”, in which is the possession, use, sale, or manufacturing of illegal drugs. Second, is “drug related offences”, which occur when drugs are either the motive or the incentive. This occurs when a person is either under the influence of a drug and commits a crime; commits a crime in order to get money for drugs; or commits a crime due to the distribution of drugs. The final term is “drug-using lifestyle” in which individuals do not have a legitimate economic income and are involved in the illegal manufacturing and distribution of drugs (Pacitti, Balleine, & Killcross, 2013).

Ager, A W. Crime and Poverty in 19th-Century England: The Economy of Makeshifts., 2014. Print.

1: There are many factors that explain the different manifestations of crime which the U.S. Now, there are crimes that are harder to understand because they are completely beyond reason. For example, it is hard to imagine that an individual approaches a stranger and stabs him to death or that someone drives in front of a house and starts shooting for no reason.

As the nineties began, the general theory of crime became the most prominent criminological theory ever proposed; furthermore, it is empirically recognized as the primary determinant in deviant and criminal behaviors. Known also as the self-control theory, the general theory of crime can most simply be defined as the absence or lack of self-control that an individual possesses, which in turn may lead them to commit unusual and or unlawful deeds. Authored by educator Michael R. Gottfredson and sociologist Travis Hirschi, A General Theory of Crime (1990) essentially “dumbed down” every theory of crime into two words, self-control. The widely accepted book holds that low self-control is the main reason that a person initiates all crimes, ranging from murder and rape to burglary and embezzlement. Gottfredson and Hirschi also highlighted, in A General Theory of Crime (1990), that low self-control correlates with personal impulsivity. This impulsive attitude leads individuals to become insensitive to deviant behaviors such as smoking, drinking, illicit sex, and gambling (p. 90). The extreme simplicity, yet accuracy, of Gottfredson’s and Hirschi’s general theory of crime (self-control theory), make it the most empirically supported theory of criminal conduct, as well as deviant acts.

There are many perceptions of what defines crime. The definitions appear to change throughout history and are still changing today (Henry, S. and Lanier, M. M., 2001 ,p.139). For example, in the past marital rape was not considered a crime as it was thought that women were believed to be “sexual property” of the male and, therefore it couldn’t be classed as rape (Brownmiller, 1975, cited by Bergen, R.K., 1996, p.3). However, in the United States in 1978 a man was convicted of rape on his wife (Russell, 1990, cited by Bergen, R.K., 1996, p.4). This shows how it is hard to define crime due to the changes in views over time. Different cultures also have different perceptions of what is, or is not considered to be a crime. For example,