Class, Crime, and the Criminal Justice System
Criminal Justice System: The system of police, courts, and prisons set up to deal with people who are accused of having committed a crime
An Instrument of Oppression Conflict Theory Refresher:
Focuses on social inequality in society Believe laws and norms reflect the interests
of powerful members of society
An Instrument of Oppression Does the law operate impartially?
Conflict theorists would say, “No.”
Believe the wealthy pass laws to benefit themselves
An Instrument of Oppression The law punishes
street crimes harshly Working class
outnumber the wealthy Have potential to rebel
and overthrow social order
System does not focus on white collar crime
Jon Stewart Discuss Corporate Crime
An Instrument of Oppression The powerful may only have to testify
before a government committee
Dr. Mehmet Oz Testified Before Congress Over Diet Scams