Chapter 7: Crime in America

Chapter 7: Crime in America

Unit 2: Criminal Law and Juvenile Justice​

How would you define crime?

​A crime is something that a person does or fails to do that violates the lawThe government establishes penalties for such behaviorCrime rates are influenced by many factors, although many people disagree about the causes of crime & the best solutions to the problem

Open Ended

How would you define crime?

What causes crime?

​Many argue that poverty, unemployment, lack of education, drug & alcohol abuse, & inadequate police protection are to blameSome people believe that working to end these problems would lead to a decrease in crime rates

Open Ended

What causes crime?

Poll

Is the threat of going to prison really a deterrent for crime?

• Yes

• No

Poll

Would increasing the number of police officers help to reduce the crime rate?

• Yes

• No

One Solution: Community Policing

• Strategy to build closer relations between the police and the communities they serve.

• Select communities are chosen to participate.

• Police on bikes or “walking the beat” Police have more direct contact with residents.

• Residents can help with crime prevention​.

Crime on School Campuses

Common crimes:

Violent assaults, hate crimes, property crimes

Many involve alcohol

Forcible sex offenses are common

School shootings​

Crimes at school has become a serious problem

Crime is costly—in addition to the loss of life & property, it costs the government a great amount of money to prevent, investigate, & prosecute the person who committed the crime.

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Weapons on Campus (Pg. 75)

a. What conditions might have led to Samuel's decision to commit this crime?

b. What, if anything, could have been done to help Samuel? Were there signs on campus or at home that he was at risk?

c.​ Are there measures in place at your school to prevent acts of violence from occurring? Are additional measures needed? If so, what are they?

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Gang and Crime

Gangs are active in towns & cities of all sizes throughout the country.

Seattle Hoods

East Tacoma Gang Graffiti

Gangs expose their members & their communities to extreme violence & danger

Many youths join gangs because gangs offer a sense of belonging & an opportunity to earn money

Beyond the Shadows: Crime in Yakima

Open Ended

Name one promising strategy to discourage gang membership and provide young people with opportunities & community connections that will offer them a greater sense of belonging.

Open Ended

What causes people to join a gang?

Gang Risk Factors

Poverty

School Failure

Substance Abuse

Family Dysfunction

Domestic Violence

Community Violence

Poor Self-Esteem

Little Adult Participation

Poll

Do you believe that most Americans who own firearms own them legally & use them lawfully?

• Yes

• No

Guns and the Law

Most Americans who own firearms own them legally & use them lawfully.

However, guns are often used in violent crimes.

The Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 is the primary federal gun-control law

• Congress amended this law in 1993 by enacting the Brady Act

• Established national system to check backgrounds of persons before selling guns to them

• Gun laws have also been enacted at the state & local levels

Substance Abuse and Crime

• Abuse of alcohol & drugs (substance abuse) contributes to many social problems & often leads to other criminal activity.

• Although many adults use alcohol responsibly, alcohol abuse can be very harmful to society

• Implied Consent Law: the driver agrees to submit to a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) test in exchange for the privilege of driving

Poll

Would legalization allow the government to better regulate drugs & eliminate the problems that are associated with illegal distribution of drugs?

• Yes

• No

The Graduation Party (Pg. 84)

a. Should the parents of the friend who was assaulted be able to sue Alexis and Neil for monetary damages?

b. Should the police charge Sandra's parents with crime?

c. How could Sandra and her parents have handled the party differently?​

Victims of Crime

Teens & young adults are more likely than any other age groups to be victims.

Victim advocacy groups Mothers Against Drunk Driving [MADD] work to protect victims by promoting the concerns & rights of victims.

Victims are not a party to the criminal case & their rights & needs are too often ignored.

Poll

Every person is at risk to be a victim of crime.

• Yes

• No

Victims of Crime​

Law in Action: Victim’s Rights: Megan’s Law as Advocacy

Passed as a result of victim’s advocacy groups

Requires the registration of all convicted sex offenders in a community

Preventing and Reporting Crime

You can help fight crime by learning how to protect yourself.

Also, reporting crime can help to prevent others from being victims.

There are many organizations & programs that exist to assist victims of crime & prevent future crime.