Learning Objectives

After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  • Summarize why consensus for an exact definition of crime is difficult and why crime definitions may change over time.
  • Identify the paths in which a crime may be handled in the criminal justice system.
  • Review the five perspectives of the criminal justice system.
  • Critique how the consensus and conflict models help and hinder public policy.
  • Differentiate between criminal justice and criminoloy.
  • Distinguish how the fear of crime and actual risk of being victimized are often misinterpreted by the public.