crime

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to;

• Define crime.
• Describe the causes of crime.
• Describe types of crime.
• Describe measures to curb crime.

A crime is an unlawful act that is punishable by an authority or state. Some activities can be illegal in one state but legal in another depending on the culture of the place. For example, the consumption of alcohol is illegal in many Muslim countries but legal in many other areas. Therefore, the criminalization and decriminalization of certain phenomena is an ongoing process.

Causes of crime

• Poverty. Poverty is a major reason for the crime. Countries with economic problems have a higher rate of crime than economically stable countries. Some people in poor countries cannot earn a living through legal means and therefore invest their time and energy in criminal activities.
• Peer pressure. Young adults and teenagers are influenced greatly by peer pressure. These phases of life involve looking up to your friends. The lack of experience and wisdom may draw them to vices like smoking or alcohol consumption. This may extend to illegal activities like the consumption of prohibited drugs.
• Drugs. Drug abuse and crime are closely related. One under the influence of drugs tends to indulge in prohibited activities that one may not have indulged in otherwise. Drug abuse may also develop into an addiction which may force users to do illegal activities like stealing in order to procure drugs.
• Background. People brought up in environments with high crime rates are more likely to commit crimes than those brought up in environments with low crime rates.
• Unemployment. Unemployment is an issue affecting developing countries, as well as developed countries. Unemployment causes resentment towards the government, therefore, motivating people to commit crimes.
• Unequal rights. Deprivation of basic rights is the main factor leading to the increase in crime rates. This is because it deprives the people of a means to obtain a livelihood in an honest and conventional way.
• Unfair justice system. When the justice system of a country is flawed, there is a likelihood of a high crime rate. People have a tendency of trying to get justice for themselves when they feel that justice has not been served.
• Politics. Some crimes are politically motivated. Competing political teams are sometimes tempted to use unfair means that amount to a crime. Conflicts and hate speech are common in politics in developing countries.

Types of crime

Any act that violates the law is a crime. There are different types of crimes. Below are some of the types of crimes according to criminologists.

• Personal crimes. These are crimes committed against an individual. They include robbery, rape, murder, aggravated assault, and homicide.
• Property crimes. These are crimes that involve theft without any bodily harm. They include theft, larceny, arson, and burglary.
• Hate crimes. These are crimes against an individual that are motivated by prejudices against the individual. Some of the main causes of prejudice include race, religion, gender, creed, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and disability.
• Consensual crimes. They are also called victimless crimes. These are crimes against morality but are not aimed at harming an individual. They include the use of drugs, prostitution, and gambling.
• White-collar crimes. These are crimes committed by people holding respectable positions. They include violating tax laws, embezzlement of funds, insider trading, and tax evasion.
• Organized crimes. These are crimes involving the sale of unlawful services and goods by an organized group. For example, money laundering, smuggling of weapons, and drug trade.

Measures to curb crime

Some measures that can be taken to curb the rate of crime include;

• Speedy justice system. It is argued that “justice delayed is justice denied”. A speedy justice system can be promoted by the appointment of judges.
• Creation of job opportunities. As discussed in this lesson, unemployment promotes crime. Creating jobs helps people to better utilize their time and energy in a legal manner.
• Reduction of economic inequalities. As the gap between the rich and the poor widens, the higher crime rate is. A broad economic gap may force the poor to commit crimes against the rich to sustain their livelihood. Bridging this gap would ensure that all people have a means of survival.
• Raising awareness. Educating young people about being good citizens has been proven as a way of reducing crime.
• Promoting harmony. Some crimes come as a result of division. The division can be religious or political. Promoting peaceful coexistence and tolerance helps reduce crime.

Criminalization

Criminalization refers to the process through which behaviors are transformed into crime. It can also refer to the process through which individuals are transformed into criminals. This transformation of illegal acts into crimes may be done by judicial decisions or legislation. Criminalization is an all-inclusive process that includes societal institutions like the family, schools, and the criminal justice system.

Decriminalization

This is the opposite of criminalization. It is the reclassification of law about certain acts exempting them from being considered crimes. This also includes the removal of criminal penalties relating to these acts. Decriminalization is a reflection of the change in moral and social views. Some examples of the subject matter of changing opinions on criminality among societies include abortion, gambling, polygamy, homosexuality, recreational drug use, and prostitution.

Summary

We’ve learned that;

• A crime is an unlawful act that is punishable by an authority or state.
• Some activities can be illegal in one state but legal in another depending on the culture of the place.
• We should avoid committing crimes.