Module 2 Summary

Understanding what constitutes a crime and the impacts of crime are vital for students of criminal justice, and for others too, of course. Federal crimes are legislated by the U.S. Congress, which consists of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives and is the legislative branch of the federal government. State crimes are legislated by state legislatures. The elements of a crime include an act (actus reus), legality, harm, causation, intent (mens rea), concurrence, and punishment.

The costs of crime include direct monetary losses, pain and suffering, legal costs, costs of the criminal justice system, psychological costs, and public efforts to address crime. All levels of government allocate substantial portions of their budgets to criminal justice, and victims suffer many financial and nonfinancial impacts from criminal behavior.

The media affect crime and justice in many ways, including through their portrayal of crime, impact on public perceptions, and assistance with crime-fighting and crime-prevention efforts. The media and criminal justice agencies must work cooperatively to ensure that the public is safe and aware of justice-related occurrences and developments. Public information officers help criminal justice agencies interact with the media by representing their agencies and sharing important information.

Policies can focus on specific topics or be broader in nature. For instance, they may address specific issues, such as driving under the influence of alcohol, or larger issues, such as drug control and sentencing issues. The creation and enforcement of criminal justice policy involves various groups, including government leaders, citizens, corporations, interest groups, and the media. Among the more commonly recognized and more influential policies are those pertaining to the “get tough” approach that began in the late 1970s. Influential policies have shaped crime-fighting efforts with regard to drug offenses, drunk driving, and other offenses.