NCJ Number
80120
Date Published
1981
Length
543 pages
Annotation
Written for the beginning student in criminology, this text provides an overview of the field while emphasizing historical and societal reactions to crime.
Abstract
The section on theory and method presents various definitions of crime; discusses the origins and development of criminal law; examines Anglo-American criminal law; analyzes various theoretical perspectives including conservative, liberal-cynical, and radical criminology, as well as multifactor approaches, social-structural theories of crime and delinquency, social process theories, the labeling process, and radical-critical criminology; and discusses the production and use of data. Next, the text considers interpersonal violence, robbery, varieties of nonviolent theft, occupational crime, organized crime, the drug problem and criminal sexuality. The history of these types of crimes in America is explored, as well as possible causes, typologies, and future trends. The final section examines actions taken to control and prevent crime, beginning with a review of the origins and growth of the modern police force. Within this section, separate chapters are devoted to the judicial process, including an overview of the process, prosecution, and sentencing; punishment of the criminal offender, with special attention paid to legal punishment, official criminal penalties, physical torture, social degradation, and financial penalties; and consequences of punishment, with a focus on deterrence and rehabilitation. The final chapter analyzes crime and public policy, highlighting such elements as the impact of ideology on crime policy, due process, and future policy considerations. Tables, chapter references, name and subject indexes, and an appendix of FBI offense categories are included.