Criminology WJEC Unit 2
2026 | Crime and
Punishment Study Guide,
Questions & Answers
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success|
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
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Rationales
Included
, social definition what society believes is wrong within a community. for example, moat people in the
UK would think it is wrong to have sex with a 14-year old, but in other cultures in
different countries it might not be seen as a problem because society doesn't label it
as one.
legal definition in our society, it is the legal system which defines crime. for example behaviour that
breaks the law and for which you are punished by the legal system.
actus reus latin for guilty act. essentially means committing a crime.
mens rea latin for guilt mind. essentially means having a motive to commit the crime.
cautions administered by the police for minor crimes such as writing graffiti on a bus shelter.
you have to admit an offence and agree to be cautioned; otherwise you could be
arrested for the offence. a caution is not a criminal conviction.
conditional cautions given by the police but you have to agree to certain rules and restrictions, such as
receiving treatment for drug abuse or repairing damage to a property.
penalty notices given for offences such as shoplifting, possessing cannabis, or being drunk and
disorderly in public. you can only get a penalty notice of you are ages 18 or over.
custodial sentences where you are immediately sent to prison. there are mandatory and discretionary
life sentences and fixed term and indeterminate prison sentences.
community services a combination order (sentence of the court that combines a probation order and a
community service order) including unpaid work, probation, curfew and orders such
as having drug testing and treatment.
fines financial penalties; the amount depends on the seriousness of the offence and the
financial circumstances of the offender.
discharge either conditional, when if the defendant re-offends during a set time period the
court can give an alternative sentence, or absolute, when no penalty is imposed as
the defendant is technically guilty but morally blameless.
fatal offences against the person murder, manslaughter.
non-fatal offences against the person assault, battery, actual and grievous bodily harm.
offences against property theft, robbery, burglary.
sexual offences rape, indecent assault.
2026 | Crime and
Punishment Study Guide,
Questions & Answers
|Graded A+ | Guaranteed
success|
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales
Included
, social definition what society believes is wrong within a community. for example, moat people in the
UK would think it is wrong to have sex with a 14-year old, but in other cultures in
different countries it might not be seen as a problem because society doesn't label it
as one.
legal definition in our society, it is the legal system which defines crime. for example behaviour that
breaks the law and for which you are punished by the legal system.
actus reus latin for guilty act. essentially means committing a crime.
mens rea latin for guilt mind. essentially means having a motive to commit the crime.
cautions administered by the police for minor crimes such as writing graffiti on a bus shelter.
you have to admit an offence and agree to be cautioned; otherwise you could be
arrested for the offence. a caution is not a criminal conviction.
conditional cautions given by the police but you have to agree to certain rules and restrictions, such as
receiving treatment for drug abuse or repairing damage to a property.
penalty notices given for offences such as shoplifting, possessing cannabis, or being drunk and
disorderly in public. you can only get a penalty notice of you are ages 18 or over.
custodial sentences where you are immediately sent to prison. there are mandatory and discretionary
life sentences and fixed term and indeterminate prison sentences.
community services a combination order (sentence of the court that combines a probation order and a
community service order) including unpaid work, probation, curfew and orders such
as having drug testing and treatment.
fines financial penalties; the amount depends on the seriousness of the offence and the
financial circumstances of the offender.
discharge either conditional, when if the defendant re-offends during a set time period the
court can give an alternative sentence, or absolute, when no penalty is imposed as
the defendant is technically guilty but morally blameless.
fatal offences against the person murder, manslaughter.
non-fatal offences against the person assault, battery, actual and grievous bodily harm.
offences against property theft, robbery, burglary.
sexual offences rape, indecent assault.
