Crime is a broad term for any act that violates some aspect of the law or rules of society. Governmental bodies distinguish between more serious offenses (felonies) and less severe violations of the law (misdemeanors). An individual is guilty of a crime if they engage in behavior that meets all three elements of the offense: the act or conduct itself (actus reus); the individual’s mental state at the time of the crime (mens rea); and the connection between the act and its effects (proximate or but-for causation).
Criminal acts can have adverse effects on the victims, perpetrators, communities and wider society. They can be physically damaging, resulting in injuries and loss of property. They can also be emotionally distressing for the victims, leading to feelings of fear, anxiety and stress. Some victims experience a long-term reaction, known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Crime can also be costly for taxpayers who pay for police services, legal processes, and medical care related to crimes.
Some criminologists hold the view that criminal laws reflect a moral sentiment, as nineteenth century French sociology Emile Durkheim argued, with behaviors that offend the public being banned by the law. However, this view is flawed because it ignores the fact that what politicians and legislators deem to be offensive is often influenced by their own political and economic interests. Critical criminologists argue that definitions of crime should be expanded to include activities such as the abuse of power by structurally powerful social groups against the powerless, and the harm caused by criminalization itself.
About the Author
