Legal Definition Of Crime Analysis

The problems that define crimes are acts of moral norms and values held by society. At one point in time, things that were illegal are now legal, and things that were legal are now illegal; however, what is considered a crime in one culture is not considered a crime in another culture. (Green, 2015) "One problem defining crime is that many dangerous and harmful behaviors are not identified as a crime, whereas many less dangerous and less harmful behaviors are" (Bohm & Vogel, 2011, p. 7). The social definition as it relates to crimes violates the norms of society in any standard or rule in regards to human beings, I should or should not think, say, or do under the circumstances. (Bohm & Vogel, 2011) Norms vary from group to group within a single society; therefore, there is no uniform definition of antisocial behavior; however, norms are always subject to interpretation, and change from time to time, and from place to place. (Bohm & Vogel, 2011) However, to keep from confusing social definitions of crime; the United States use legal definition to define crime.

The legal definition of crime is defined by an intentional violation of criminal law or penal codes that is narrow and ambiguous. (Bohm & Vogel, 2011) The first problem with defining crime, if an individual behavior violates the criminal law, then it is described as a crime. Some argue behaviors prohibited by the criminal law should not be a crime; …show more content…
L., (2011). A Primer on Crime & Delinquency (3rd Ed.). Belmont, CA Wadsworth Cengage Learning. p.7. Retrieved November 17, 2017, from https://www.betheluniversityonline.net/cps/default.aspx?SectionID=5980&tabid=

Green, J. (2015). Problems Defining and Measuring Crime. Retrieved November 17, 2017, fromhttps://prezi.com/lzw7wygb3td2/problems-defining-and-measuring-crime/

Spark, J. (2015). Problems in Defining Crime: Psychology. Retrieved November 17, 2017, from