CCJS 100 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Retributive Justice, Victimless Crime, Cesare Beccaria

• School: University of Maryland
• Department: Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Course: CCJS 100
• Professor: Justine Madoo

Document Summary

Crimes-actions that violate laws defining which socially harmful behaviors will be subject to the government"s power to impose punishments. Mala in se-offenses that are wrong by their very nature- rape and murder. Mala prohibita-wrong by law but not wrong in themselves-gambling, prostitution, drug use. Dark figure of crime-unreported or never officially entered into a formal report. Criminogenic-having factors thought to bring about criminal behavior in an individual, under the biological explanation. Inchoate offense-also called incomplete offense, conduct is criminal even though the harm that the crime seeks to commit hasn"t been completed (intend to complete a crime but haven"t done so yet) Misdemeanor-offenses less serious than felonies and usually punishable by incarceration of no more than one year in jail, probation, or intermediate sanctions. Civil infractions-less serious, minor offenses, typically punishable by small fines without going on someone"s record, least severe (less than a misdemeanor)