Criminology 3 - Research Paper Example

Criminology The concept of crime characterizes the infringement of aspects of a person or their property. The Canadian Criminal Code administers criminal justice in Canada, which encompasses all rudiments of the criminal process and penalty (Sam 2). Some clauses of the Canadian criminal law may be revised to help curb some acts of crime. This paper will point out several of the laws that might be enhanced and the impact they will have on reducing various crimes. Drug related crimes can be discouraged by harsher punishments like longer jail terms (Grossman & Roberts 79).

Canada has short jail terms for such crimes, for example, compared to the United States and Australia. This was happening even during periods when the crime rates of the three countries were almost at the same degree (Beare 19). Most convicts are handed parole after serving only two thirds of their terms. The Canadian criminal law system provides that the highest sentence a guilty verdict carries for first degree and second degree murder is life imprisonment (Grossman & Roberts 74). However, the law also provides that a convict can apply for parole after serving 25 years of the sentence for first degree murder, and ten years for second degree murder.

Although applying for parole does not mean it will be granted, the possibility of applying should be abolished to make the penalty stricter and drive citizens away from committing murder. For manslaughter, the law also provides that maximum sentence is life imprisonment. However, there is a compulsory minimum sentence applicable ranging from four to seven years if the crime was committed using a firearm, with the option of a parole (Grossman & Roberts 75). The minimum compulsory sentence which is too lenient should be done away with and only have the life imprisonment for a guilty verdict.

This should also extend to manslaughter that was committed without a firearm. Under the Terrorism Law of Canada, it is provided that facilitating terrorism by financing or giving any resources towards aiding in the activity is punishable by a maximum prison term of 14 years upon a guilty verdict. Those participating in carrying out the crime are eligible to a maximum sentence of ten years (Sam 4). These penalties are far too lenient for acts of terrorism that are a danger to both the government and citizens of a nation.

The punishment should be made stricter to ward off tendencies of terrorism. A lifetime sentence will be more appropriate because this crime should be viewed the same way as a murder. Adultery or sexual immorality involving children and habitual drunkenness in homes endangers the morals of children and renders the home unfit for their growth and development. Offenders in this category are guilty of an indictable crime with a jail term, not beyond two years. Given the danger they pose to defenseless children, they should be accorded stricter punishment.

Two years barely serve the purpose, and there are high chances of repeated offence (Grossman & Roberts 89). Perpetrators of child pornography are also eligible to a maximum of ten years imprisonment. Child pornography defies all the rights and humanity of children. The law should be revised to hand offenders a more deterrent verdict than the ten years. In summary, amending the above laws to have stricter penalties will serve to act as deterrents to those likely to indulge in crime.Works CitedBeare, Margaret.

Money Laundering in Canada: Chasing Dirty and Dangerous Dollars. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007. Print.Grossman, Michelle and Roberts, Julian. Criminal Justice in Canada: A Reader. 2011. Print.Sam, Alexander. Criminal Laws of Canada. Manitoba: Demand Media, 2012. Print.