Chapter 1: Introduction to Criminology

Overview

• Sets the scope for the entire textbook.
• Provides a brief snapshot of key topics to be explored in depth later.
• Focus on understanding crime, criminology, criminal justice, theories, and victimology.

Key Concepts in Criminology

Crime Definitions

• Legalistic Approach: Crime as a violation of law.
• Mala in se: Acts inherently evil or immoral (e.g., murder).
• Mala prohibita: Acts not inherently immoral but criminalized by law (e.g., jaywalking).

Deviance

• Not necessarily illegal but socially non-normative.
• Society's perception can influence what becomes illegal.
• Example: West Memphis Three case.

Criminology vs. Criminal Justice

Criminology

• Scientific study of crime.
• Originated in the late 1800s.
• Aims to understand crime patterns and how to mitigate them.

Criminal Justice

• System to enforce conduct standards and protect society.
• Functions include apprehending, prosecuting, convicting, and sentencing offenders.

Theories and Perspectives

Consensus Perspective

• Laws reflect societal norms for the majority's benefit.

Conflict Perspective

• Focuses on societal conflicts causing crime, e.g., class struggles (Marxian theory).

Components of the Criminal Justice System

Law Enforcement

• Federal: FBI, DEA, Secret Service, etc.
• State: State police and highway patrol.
• Local: Counties and municipalities.

Courts

• Federal Courts: District courts, Court of Appeals, Supreme Court.
• State Courts: Similar tiered system with trial courts and state Supreme Courts.

Corrections

• Involves probation, incarceration, and community-based facilities.
• Differences between jail (short-term) and prison (long-term).

Comparative Criminology

• Studies crime across different societies.
• Examines why crime rates vary and how cultural factors affect crime perception.

Importance of Theory

• Parsimony: Simple explanations preferred.
• Empirical Validity: Theories must be testable.
• Logical Consistency: Theories should make sense.
• Used to inform policies and programs to reduce crime.

Victimology

• Study of crime victims, relatively new field.
• Uses tools like the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) for data.
• Looks at victim precipitation and factors influencing victimization likelihood.

Victim Rights and Compensation

• Victim Compensation: Provided by the state/government.
• Restitution: Provided by the offender.
• Victim Impact Statements: Given during sentencing phase.
• Victims' rights awareness increased by legislation like the Victims of Crime Act (1984).

This chapter sets the foundation for exploring criminological concepts and systems in future lectures.