Defining crime

Defining crime

1. Historial contect - time

   • A crime at one point in time may not be seen as a crime at another point in time.
     • For example- Before 1967 it was a criminal offence for consenting adults to commit homosexual acts

2. Culture

   • Problems can arise when people who have origins in one culture live in different culture and prefer to retain their own cultural values.
     • For example- In some cultures it is acceptable to have more than one wife however in the UK this would be considered bigamy

3. Age

   • In England the age of criminal resposibility is 10 years old
     • For example- if a three year old stole a sweet from a shop they would not be considered a criminal

4. Specific circumstances

   • Individual circumstances could determine wether or not a specific incidence is seen as a crime.
     • For example- A mother stealing a loaf of bread to feed her cildren may not be called a criminal.