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Understanding Crime: Types, Levels of Law Enforcement, and the Rule of Law

Explore the different types of crimes, three levels of law enforcement, and the importance of the rule of law in society. Learn about California's first crime wave and its impact on the state.

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Understanding Crime: Types, Levels of Law Enforcement, and the Rule of Law

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  1. Chapter 1 Criminal Justice Today

  2. Chapter Objectives • Define crime and the different types of crime. • Outline the three levels of law enforcement. • List the three classifications of crime according to the seriousness of the offense. • Describe the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration and the LEEP Program. • Explain the history of criminal justice education in the United States. • Explain California’s first crime wave and it’s impact on the state. • Describe the difference between a crime of commission and a crime of omission. • Know the number of counties that make up the State of California.

  3. What is crime • A phenomenon of Society • Each society decides what conduct is criminal • Society also determines • enforcement • adjudication • punishment

  4. What is crime • It it’s simplest definition, crime is any specific act prohibited by law for which society has provided a formally sanctioned punishment. This can include the failure of a person to perform an act specifically required by law. • If we were alone on an island, would we need laws?

  5. The Rule of Law • The United States is a country governed by the rule of law. • Choosing which laws to abide by and which ignore is not a privilege that is granted to anyone in a society supported by the rule of law. • It’s why individuals will do almost anything to reach our shores. They know the rule of law promotes a civil society. • The United States has 5,525 miles of border with Canada and 1,989 miles with Mexico. • The busiest border crossing in the world is the United States – Mexico crossing at San Ysidro, California

  6. Coming to America Does anyone know where this inscription is located?

  7. Coming to America Methods of entry into the United States has changed over years but not the desire.

  8. Coming to America

  9. Crime is not new • 1849 California Gold Rush • California’s first crime wave • 89,000 Miners • 20% dead in first six months (mostly homicide) • Crime rate led to the creation of our state’s first prison.

  10. San Quentin Prison • Currently houses death row • Inmates with AIDS • Serves as a classification facility for all other state prisons

  11. What is crime • Before the criminal justice system can function we must first define what is: Crime

  12. Burglary Murder Robbery Grand Theft Auto Theft What is crime

  13. Sneaking into a movie theater Taking towels from a hotel Illegal parking Littering Skateboarding in unlawful areas It is also

  14. A crime or public offense is an act committed or omitted in violation of a law forbidding or commanding it and to which is annexed, upon conviction, either of the following punishments: Death or Imprisonment Fine Removal from office Disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit in this state California Penal Code Section 15

  15. California Penal Code Section 15 A crime or public offense is an act committed or omitted in violation of a law forbidding or commanding it. Research Section 15 here. Men, check your registration status by clicking here.

  16. As society becomes more complex, so do our laws • In 1990, California became the first state to enact a specific stalking law. • Research California Penal Code Section 646.9 here.

  17. As society becomes more complex, so do our laws

  18. As society becomes more complex, so do our laws

  19. As society becomes more complex, so do our laws

  20. Types of Offenses • Crimes are classified by the seriousness of the offenses as follows: • A felony is the most serious offense, for which the offender may be sentenced to state prison or death. Felonies generally include violent crimes, sex offenses, and many types of drug and property violations.

  21. Types of Offenses • A misdemeanor is a less serious offense for which the offender may be sentenced to probation, up to one year in county jail, a fine, or some combination of the three. Misdemeanors generally include crimes such as assault and battery, petty theft, and public drunkenness.

  22. Types of Offenses • An infraction is the least serious offense and is generally punishable only by a fine. Many motor vehicle violations are considered infractions.

  23. Most of us are familiar with this legal document.

  24. Types of Crime • Violent Crime • Property Crime (the most common form of criminal activity) • Public Order Crime • High-Tech Crime • Organized Crime • White-collar Crime

  25. What Stands between the Criminal and the People?

  26. What Stands Between the Criminal and the People? Criminal JusticeSystem

  27. Charlie Manson • Manson Family • First of the “celebrity” serial killers • End of the “Flower Power” 60’s • Arrested by LA Sheriff’s Deputies in 1969 at the Spahn Movie Ranch • You can read more about Charlie Manson and his “family” by clicking here.

  28. Spahn Movie Ranch

  29. Raid on Spahn Ranch

  30. Raid on Spahn Ranch

  31. Raid on Spahn Ranch • Door removed and booked as evidence in Sharon Tate murder • You can clearly see the “Helter Sclder” spelled wrong in blood from the Tate residence.

  32. Components of the Criminal Justice System Components of Criminal Justice The Criminal Justice System Police Courts Corrections

  33. The Criminal Justice System:Purpose and Goals • To control crime • To prevent crime • To provide and maintain justice

  34. Structure of the Criminal Justice System • Police • Local Law Enforcement • State Law Enforcement • Federal Law Enforcement • Courts • State Courts • Federal Courts

  35. Structure of the Criminal Justice System • Corrections • Federal Prison System • Sometimes referred to as penitentiaries • State Prison System • County Jails

  36. The Criminal Justice System: Size and Expense • 55,000 different public agencies • $147 billion annual budget • 2.2 million employees • 20,000 police agencies • 17,000 courts

  37. The Criminal Justice System: Size and Expense • 8,000 prosecutorial agencies • 5,700 correctional institutions • 3,500 probation and parole departments • 15 million arrests per year • 3 million for felonies • Correctional population of over 2 million • Additional 4 million on probation or parole

  38. The Criminal Justice System: Size and Expense • Law Enforcement employs approximately 1 million sworn personnel, not counting civilian employees (non-sworn) • Corrections employs over 717,000 people • Court systems employ 455,000 • It costs $70,000 to build a jail or prison cell

  39. Role of Law Enforcement • Protect lives and property • The only criminal justice component that deals with persons not charged with a crime.

  40. Role of Law Enforcement • Duties are becoming more complex • Greater use of discretion • If possible use alternatives other than arrest. • When necessary arrest law violators

  41. Role of the Courts • To seek truth & obtain justice • To adjudicate & sentence • Consists of: • municipal courts* • superior courts • appellate courts • supreme court Judge Judy makes over $47 million a year as a television personality.

  42. Role of the Courts • Santa Clara County has no municipal court system. • All trial courts have been unified into a “consolidated” Superior Court system after passage of proposition 220. • We will learn more about the courts as we progress further into the course.

  43. All of California’s 58 counties have consolidated their trial court systems. Delaware has the fewest counties 3 - Texas has the most with 254

  44. There are 3,033 counties in the United States. They are called parishes in Louisiana

  45. Role of the Courts • Plea Bargain accepted in 90% of criminal cases. • Also referred to as Bargain Justice. • Prosecution and defense form “adversary system” of justice

  46. Is this your idea of Corrections? • It is also home arrest • Community supervision • Probation • Parole • And lastly, Confinement

  47. Trends and Issues in Criminal Justice Today • Terrorism • In response to the attack on America, President Bush created the Department of Homeland Security.

  48. Trends and Issues in Criminal Justice Today • Department became a stand-alone, Cabinet-level department on March 1, 2003. • You will need to research the Department of Homeland Security website to learn who is the current Secretary. (It will be a test question) • http://www.dhs.gov/creation-department-homeland-security

  49. Trends and Issues in Criminal Justice Today • Media Distortion of Crime • False perception of a crime epidemic • Suggestion that crime rates are increasing • Impression that most crime is violent • TV crime programs • Movies with crime themes or scripts

  50. Government & CrimeThe Crime Commissions • The President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice (1967) • Appointed by President Lyndon Johnson • Safe Streets Act passed by congress in 1968 • Created Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA). • Concluded that most people had lost confidence in the ability of the police to maintain law and order.  

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