Understanding Deviance and Its Impact on Criminal Justice

Deviance is a term used to describe behaviors, beliefs, or conditions that don't fit with what society accepts as normal. This can mean anything from small rule-breaking actions, like crossing the street when the light is red, to serious crimes, like stealing or harming someone.

When we talk about deviance, it helps us understand how laws are made and how they affect people. Let's break it down:

Types of Deviance:

1. Primary Deviance:

   • This is the first time someone breaks a rule, and it usually doesn’t get much attention.
   • For example, if a teenager stays out past curfew, the consequences might not be very serious.

2. Secondary Deviance:

   • This happens when someone is labeled as "deviant" and then starts to see themselves that way.
   • For example, if a student gets called a troublemaker, they might start acting like one.

3. Tertiary Deviance:

   • This is when a group considers something that was once seen as deviant to be normal in their own context.
   • For instance, some communities might think using drugs is just part of their culture.

How Deviance Affects Criminal Justice Policies:

1. Changes in Laws:

• When society sees something as deviant, it can lead to new laws to control that behavior.
• For example, when gang violence increased, tougher laws were created for gang-related crimes.
• On the flip side, when people started to accept same-sex marriage, laws changed to allow it.

2. Law Enforcement Focus:

• Perceptions of deviance can influence which actions police pay more attention to.
• Police may concentrate on areas with high drug use, even though drug problems are found everywhere.

3. Public Fear and Reaction:

• How the media shows deviance can change how people feel about crime, which can lead to stricter laws.
• An example is the "Three Strikes" law, which can give very harsh sentences for repeat offenders. This often results in crowded prisons.
• Schools might use "zero-tolerance" rules that blow minor issues into serious problems.

4. Punishment vs. Helping:

• How society views deviance affects whether the criminal justice system punishes or helps people.
• Sometimes, the focus is more about punishing bad behavior rather than fixing the issues that cause it.
• Programs that treat drug issues or mental health problems aim to help rather than just punish.

5. Impact on Certain Groups:

• The way society defines deviance can hurt marginalized communities more than others.
• For example, racial profiling can lead to unfair treatment of certain racial or economic groups.

6. Social Control:

• The criminal justice system is itself a way to control behavior in society.
• Tools for this control include things like surveillance cameras and police presence.

7. Effects on Mental Health:

• Being labeled as deviant can harm someone's mental health and make it harder for them to fit back into society.
• For example, if someone is called a "criminal," it can be tough for them to find a job later.
• They might also start to feel isolated, leading them to search for acceptance in other groups who also break rules.

8. Global Views on Deviance:

• Different cultures have different ideas about what is considered deviant, which can affect laws in various countries.
• Some countries might make strong laws against drug use, while others might focus on reducing penalties.

In Conclusion:

Understanding how deviance affects criminal justice shows us the complicated link between behavior, society, and law. As societal views change, laws also shift, and these laws can create new norms.

We need to keep looking at how laws are created and who they affect. It's important that criminal justice policies address the real reasons behind deviant behavior and treat everyone fairly. Balancing safety with fairness can help create a society that not only punishes wrongdoing but also seeks to understand and reduce why these behaviors happen in the first place. With this approach, we can work towards a kinder, more effective criminal justice system.