Positive and Negative Impact The Media Might Have on Criminal Law

The word stigma is used to describe a state of disgrace or shame attributed to a certain type of behavior; it is how an individual behavior is perceived by others/ society. Stigmatization often times influences how an individual is treated by the community or society at large. Stigmatization may differ from one location to the next and change with the transition of time. Additionally, it is regarded as multifaceted due to the fact that it may be attributed to the victim or perpetrator. A person’s behavior may also impact stigma and perceptions. For example, wearing the pants below the waist is synonymous with negative behavior consequently, a person who is seen displaying such a character is stigmatized and ridiculed as this not seen as merely a fashion, but wayward behavior. But even on a more serious basis stigma is attached to ex-convicts who finds it challenging to fit back in society after serving their prison sentence. This results in life becoming rather difficult because of rejection by society. Individuals who feel they are subjected to perceived stigma usually continue with deviant behavior. Convicts and ex-convicts perceived and anticipated stigma after release; may result in poor adjustment or recidivism. Certain types of criminals are more easily stigmatized than others, which directly impact on the way a person may think or feel about themselves (self-worth/self-esteem). There is a great structural barrier affecting criminal offenders as society reacts more hostile towards more serious and deviant criminal acts, for example, sex offenders, and drug dealers. Sex offenders are subjected to high levels of stigmatization and are often times restricted on housing, financial aid, employment and communal activities with the community. This is heightened where there is a lack of family ties, lack of employment opportunities and social rejection/disapproval.

The criminologist John Braithwaite explains why there might be a difference in stigma impact. He contends that’ shaming’ can be re-integrative shaming or disintegrative shaming. Re-integrative shaming is where effort is made by the community to re-integrate the offender in society. Regardless of the fact that shaming still occurs, the effort made to re-integrate the results in less deviance and recidivism- restorative justice results in less deviance. Disintegrative shaming or stigmatization, on the other hand, causes offenders to react negatively, it promotes deviance because society is too hostile towards the offender; which coerces them in befriending other criminals; this, in turn, promotes other criminals and continued deviant acts. Stigmatization is also affected by the individual perception of how society will react towards them. Stigma impacts criminal behavior differently because people react to labeling differently. They possess differently coping skills; some may become more problematic or exacerbate maladaptive practices or may act as deterrence for other.

Active Criminal Research and Ethical Issues Theories and researches form the basis of criminology. To better understand criminal behavior theories and hypothesis must be formulated, researched and tested. Criminologist therefore investigates, gather and analyze data to arrive at a conclusion-research is thus fundamental in Criminology. Criminologists use different methodologies when conducting research such as surveys, experiments, comparative and historical research and qualitative research. For purpose of active criminal research, criminologists might conduct qualitative researches. Criminologists have published interesting and fascinating studies on active criminals; qualitative studies have provided important accounts or answers and greater understanding of criminal behavior, than any other research method could yield.

Active criminal offender research is research conducted on offenders who seemly continue their criminal career. Due to the fact that, an individual can still be an active offender even when incarcerated, criminologists conduct researches on offenders in prison, on probation or parole or still on the streets. Criminologist may observe criminal offenders find out causes, effects and possible solutions to deviant behavior. Observation may be overt or covert, however participating in group activities may help criminologist to gain further insight. Another research methodology is intense interviewing of offenders. By conducting interviews, the researcher can observe body reactions-demeanors, gestures which may greatly impact on the study. Researchers are funded by social groups or political organizations with different interests. These studies tend to persuade the public accordingly. Criminologists, therefore, need to strive to ensure inaccurate research as their opinions /findings are used for the basis for social policy. According to Siegel, some of the main ethical issues include what to study? whom to study? How to study? Sociologists have to take into consideration the availability of funding, the subjects and primary focus well as the most appropriate research method to conduct the study. Active criminal investigations are beneficial as it tends to reveal more current crime trends, subjects are also more prone to tell the truth and more likely to represent populations not subjected to discriminatory law enforcement. How Media attention Impacts Criminal Law Several factors influence crime trends, some of which include economy, gun availability, drug use and media. For purpose of this study, the focus will be on the positive and negative impact the media might have on criminal law. The media can have a positive impact on individual choice and opinions.

Public perception is largely based on the attention given to something by the media. Media attention on a particular crime may result in heightened awareness of the types of crime occurring in the particular area, citizens can, therefore, take the necessary precautions and safety measures to protect themselves. In some cases, by focusing on a particular crime it may result in judicial review or legal pressure to improve the system. Media attention may also highlight changes in public opinion as in the case of Stoneman Douglas shooting and gun control, sensitize the population, sometimes prompt victims to come forward or help to solve cases. On the other hand, media attention may have a negative impact on criminal law as it can interfere with ongoing investigation, over-publicize a specific type of crime, cause stigmatization of a particular group, create victims or promote criminals.

The media does a good job in providing information which is deemed valuable to the public; however it has serious implication for the criminal justice system. Gender and crime Bothe males and female commit crime; some are considered minor offenses while other more serious in nature. These may include trespass, forgery, alcohol and drug abuse, larceny, forgery, shoplifting, fraud, vandalism and battery. More serious violation include homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, arson, extortion, DUI, conspiracy, burglary, grand larceny and child pornography. Men and women differ in the type of crime they commit, the rate and pattern. Except for prostitution, males have a higher conviction rate than females. This statement remains true globally and historically. In the U.S for example women account for less than 20% of most crimes categories. According to statistics there is less 15% female arrests for more serious crime such as homicide and aggravated assault and less than 10% for burglary and robbery. Females have a tendency to commit less violent crimes such as fraud, theft, embezzlement and forgery which is a direct reflection of the opportunities which presents itself based on traditional female roles. Females pose less threat to society in comparison to crimes committed by males and recidivism rate is also less and criminal career shorter.

Criminologists believe that this is so because the criminal justice system is more lenient on women than men. Self-report surveys provide more detailed representations of crime rates, victim and offender demographics, as well as the situations in which crimes occur. Traditionally crime reports were based on police reports and records which may lack crucial information and is limited to only what they know. Self-report surveys are generally those types of surveys in which participants are given the opportunity to provide their own individual information in response to survey questions without any form of stimulus. The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), conducts self- report surveys to provide more accurate data and results since the survey does not require the person to expose their identity, consequently these surveys are deemed more accurate and truthful. Below is a sample of a sample self-report survey and question that might be included in a high school survey on underage drinking. The survey conducted at the local high school would be a cross-sectional survey which will ensure that a wide variety of people are included in the survey. Respondents may also be chosen by the random sampling methods which lessen biases. The questionnaire would be composed of a specific number of questions addressing the issue of underage drinking. Age, gender, and ethnicity would also be added as it is important to understand how crime is affected at these levels.

Self-report questions may include: How frequent do you drink? What type of alcohol and brand is most prevalent among young people? What is the reason for your alcohol consumption? How were you introduced to drinking? How does drinking impact on you? Do you consider yourself an alcoholic? Are you aware of the effects of drinking? Although this method is highly recommended and used it has limitations. According to Siegel (2013), the research may be affected by people being reluctant to give more factual information in fear of the law, some might overemphasize, forget some detail or unclear about questions asked. In addition to that there is the issue of the number of samples needed for the survey to be as accurate as possible as well as the ‘missing cases’ which may be very important for findings. Due to the fact that self-surveys rely on the reports of criminal’s care must be taken when analyzing and interpreting data.