Emily Good CJ 340 SNHU Module 2 Practice Assignment
The crime I chose to present is selling/distributing narcotics. This crime is categorized
under the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) as follows: Category A offense:
offense code 35 A; Drug/Narcotic Violation; crime against society (United States Department of
Justice, 2011)
In my readings of classification of crimes, I would determine this type of offender to be a
"career offender". This type of offender often is selling/ distributing narcotics for a multitude of
reasons and effects; including for organized crime affiliations, theft, and even homicide. Selling
or distributing narcotics is an easy crime for these types of offenders and their risk factor of
for the "easy money". The range of charges would be dependent upon the type of narcotic that is
being distributed. For example, the prescription drug Valium is considered a schedule IV drug
and the selling of these narcotics without medical prescription can be charged with a felony and
according to the Michigan Legislature, a substance classified in schedule 4 is guilty of a felony
punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or
both (Michigan Public Health Code section 7401).
The crime of selling/distributing narcotics would be connected to the social
disorganization theory. The social disorganization theory states the breakdown of effective social
bonds, family and neighborhood associations, and social controls in neighborhoods and
communities (Adler, F., 2021). Most offenders that sell narcotics do so in the areas and
neighborhoods that they are most familiar with, such as where they grew up.
Resources
Adler, F. (2021). Criminology (10th Edition). McGraw-Hill Higher Education (US) https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781264169658
Michigan legislature. Michigan Legislature - Section 333.7401. (n.d.). Retrieved July 10, 2022. from http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-333-7401
United States Department of Justice. (2011). NIBRS offense codes.