What significant focus does critical criminology emphasize?

Critical criminology primarily emphasizes the examination of crimes committed by those in positions of power and authority, as well as the systemic issues and injustices that allow these crimes to occur. It seeks to uncover and challenge the societal structures and power dynamics that contribute to crime, focusing particularly on how the law is applied differently based on social status and power.

By analyzing street crime and domestic violence within this context, critical criminology highlights the often overlooked issues of marginalized groups and how these crimes are affected by broader social and economic policies.

This approach stands in contrast to other aspects of criminology that may focus more on individual behavior, psychological factors, or community-based preventative methods without adequately addressing the influence of power and inequality in shaping crime and its enforcement.