Criminal Justice: Federalism, Sentencing, and Reform Concepts

Flashcards based on lecture notes covering federalism, sentencing guidelines, state variations, rehabilitation vs punishment, coercive punishment drawbacks, plea bargaining, and related concepts.

What term describes the division of powers between the national government and state governments in the United States?

Federalism

What mechanism in the federal system helps ensure similar sentencing for the same crime across different states?

Sentencing guidelines

What policy goal focuses on reintegrating offenders into society through treatment rather than coercive punishment?

Rehabilitation/rehabilitative justice and reintegration into society

What is a key drawback of coercive punishments, according to the notes?

They are self-defeating

Which Louisiana prison is cited as an example of harsh sentencing terms in the notes?

Angola (Louisiana State Penitentiary)

How do state differences influence punishment in the notes (e.g., Louisiana, New York, California)?

Punishments vary by state; some states are harsher, others more liberal or lenient.

What principle is described by the idea that similar circumstances should lead to similar treatment in criminal cases?

Equality in sentencing / equal treatment under similar circumstances

In plea bargaining, what major consideration does the notes highlight?

The gamble of going to trial versus accepting a plea; pressure to plead may arise from the prosecutor.

Why might a defendant plead guilty even if they did not commit the crime, according to the notes?

Because going to trial is a gamble and they may choose a plea to avoid the risk of a harsher outcome.