About Crime
The legal system defines a crime as something that violates the law. This can be done by doing something the law says you shouldn’t do or failing to do something the law says you must do. When a person commits a crime, they have immediate and long-term consequences. For example, if they are convicted of a crime and have a criminal record, it can affect their future employment opportunities and eligibility for certain loans or financial aids.
In addition, a convicted person may have to pay restitution, a term that means the offender must reimburse the victim for money or goods lost due to their actions. They may also have to do community service and participate in a victim impact statement. Depending on the severity of the crime, they could be placed on probation or in jail. In many cases, the prosecutor and defense attorney will work together to prepare for a trial. This includes familiarizing themselves with the evidence, talking to witnesses and developing a strategy.
Variations in victims’ willingness to report offences can also impact the number of crimes recorded and give the impression that crime is increasing or decreasing. Many criminologists have therefore questioned the idea of a ‘crime logic’ – an imposed set of criteria that defines what is and is not considered to be a crime.
Psychological theories have also scrutinized the relationship between personality traits like extraversion, neuroticism and agreeableness with criminal and delinquent behavior. Other scholars have tried to move beyond the limitations of a legal definition of crime by using harm-based and human rights approaches. However, defining what harms people can be challenging, as medical research and social norms change over time.