The Best Way of Defining a Crime (Coursework Sample)

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Defining Crime
Crime has different meanings which are socially constructed. Therefore defining crime becomes problematic since it is a social construct, and for this reason, it relies on the context in which it is set. The essential differences in the crime meanings occur between normative definitions and legal definitions (Lynch et al.). These may be formal moral codes like religions or more informal codes of behavior that are socially-acceptable. The two ways of thinking about crime differ amongst different social groups, across societies, and historically.
Therefore the best way to define crime is any act that violates written law. Written laws usually consider formal moral codes and informal codes of socially-acceptable behavior and therefore are not biased. The laws or the regulations aim to ensure human interactions remain intact and ordered and society is civilized (Lynch et al.). The written laws describe what acceptable behavior is and a conflict that threatens individuals’ lives or threatens the togetherness or survival of society. Every society makes efforts in-laws enforcement and detects and penalizes acts that breach these laws. These acts are usually known as crimes. Therefore, a crime is an act that violates these laws - simply because it endangers society or individuals. On top of this, an act is considered a crime if it is evident that it was intentionally and voluntarily carried out.
It is essential to note that when defining crime, there are different problems t