CCJ5019 WK 12 CP

Now that you have examined two theories of crime and how they might explain any particular crime, it is time to examine how criminal justice responses to crime may be shaped by these theories. For this part of your course project, complete the following:

• Discuss your first theory and how criminal justice responses may be formed based on the assumptions of this theory.

• Discuss your second theory and how criminal justice responses may be formed based on the assumptions of this theory.

• Examine any actual criminal justice responses that have been implemented based on the assumptions of these theories.

• This assignment should be at least two 2-3 pages in length (adding to the final paper).

• Use at least 3-5 scholarly sources that discuss a criminal justice response. These sources must be properly cited using APA format. Students should seek out peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles from LIRN to complete this assignment or explore the National Criminal Justice Reference Service for examples of how the criminal justice system has responded.

• Abstract and conclusion

Abstract

This paper will be on two criminology theories; the positivist and the classical theory. These two theories will be discussed and how the criminal justice system responded towards the assumptions. It explains how certain crimes are looked at and also dealt with.

The commitment of various criminal activities attracts action from the criminal justice system. However, on many different occasions, the criminal justice system has been criticized for handling those who commit crime with great leniency and mercy. The only way that crime can be reduced and those who intend to commit crimes in future stopped is through institution of various reforms in the criminal justice system. Through two of the criminal theories, the criminal justice system can be reformed and help and guide on making adjustments in the theory (Siegel, 2012). The two theories are the positivist theory of criminology and the classical theory of criminology. The two could help enhance the responses of the criminal justice system in the following ways.

This theory of criminology holds on to the fact and aspect that the intelligence of an individual is a central factor and issue in committing various criminal activities. A low level of intelligence in individuals is believed to be at the center of engagement in various crimes. On the basis of this theory, the criminal justice system t can benefit in the following ways in enhancing to cases where individuals engage in criminal activities such as child abuse due to low levels of intelligence.

The criminal justice system should ensure that individuals who commit crimes that they are very well aware of and capable of preventing themselves from engaging in have a mental check up before they convict them and institute heavy penalties. There should be no mercy to an individual who commits a crime and the best way to penalize such individuals by the criminal justice system should be through long term jail terms. This is because such individuals, due to their low levels of intelligence are highly likely to engage in similar criminal activities to those they are convicted for having committed. Other than long terms in jail, the criminal justice system should ensure that individuals who engage in crime due to low levels of intelligence undergo a mandatory program that would help them improve their morals and levels of intelligence (Vito, & Maahs, 2011). This would help ensure that the individuals do not engage in criminal activities in future, simply due to the lack of intelligence (Siegel, 2012).

Individuals who commit crime with full knowledge that the consequences of their actions are likely to bring about should be convicted without even conducting much of investigations. The criminal justice system should assess whether the crime that an individual committed is one that one had full knowledge of the consequences. If it is established that an individual had full knowledge of the consequences of their actions, then such individuals should not receive anything in the form of bail or bonds for their release. According to Vito & Maahs (2011), such individuals lack conscience in their actions and even becoming fugitives in order to avoid justice and run away clean is an action they would be willing to take.

On the basis of the classical theory, the criminal justice system should suspend the rights of an individual when handling cases where an individual committed a crime, especially where the crime hurt other people. The consideration of the human rights of an individual has been an excuse for failure of the criminal justice system in handling criminals who are much aware that their actions could lead to negative consequences, to them and to other people (Vito & Maahs, 2011).

References

Siegel, L. (2012). Criminology: Theories, patterns, and typologies. New York : Cengage Learning.

Vito, G., & Maahs, J. (2011). Criminology: Theory, research, and policy. : Jones & Bartlett Publishers.