Media and Crime Lecture Notes Review

These flashcards encapsulate key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on media and crime.

Media's Role in Crime

Shapes public opinion and fear of crime, influences laws and criminal justice policy, can misrepresent crime frequency/types.

Wedding Cake Model of Justice

A model that describes the layers of the justice system from top to bottom: 1. Famous cases, 2. Serious felonies, 3. Ordinary felonies, 4. Misdemeanors.

Consensus View of Crime

Defines crime as behavior harmful to society.

Conflict View of Crime

Defines crime as determined by powerful groups in society.

Interactionist View of Crime

Defines crime as something that changes with social norms.

Official Reports (UCR)

Standardized reports from police that can overlook unreported crime.

Victimization Surveys (NCVS)

Surveys from victims that include unreported crime but may suffer from memory errors.

Self-Reports

Surveys from offenders that provide insight into minor and hidden crimes but may be inaccurate.

Triangulation in Crime Measurement

Using multiple methods (UCR, NCVS, self-reports) together to create a better crime picture.

Crime Patterns

Violent and property crime has decreased overall since the 1990s; typically higher in urban areas.

Criminal Justice as a Funnel

Illustrates how many crimes occur but only a few result in prison, with most cases dropped or plea bargained.

Rational Choice/Deterrence Theory

Crime is a choice based on a cost-benefit analysis.

Social Disorganization Theory

Suggests that weak neighborhoods correlate with higher crime rates.

Self-Control Theory

Individuals with low self-control are more likely to commit crimes.

Routine Activities Theory

Crime requires a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian.

Community-Oriented Policing

Policing strategy that emphasizes community involvement and building trust.

Broken Windows Policing

Strategy that focuses on preventing minor crimes to avoid escalations but criticized for over-policing.

Evidence-Based Policing

Policing that utilizes data and research to inform law enforcement actions.

Intelligence-Led Policing

Focuses on using intelligence to prevent serious crime.

Racial Profiling

Using a person's race as a factor for suspecting them of a crime.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

5th Amendment

Guarantees the right to remain silent and due process.

Exclusionary Rule

Illegal evidence cannot be used in court, with some exceptions.

Forensic Science

Field that has grown due to media influence, technology, and funding, but has faced criticism for reliability.

⚖️ Courts & Legal Roles

Criticisms of U.S. Courts

Too slow, expensive, and unequal

Bias in decisions (race, class, etc.)

Overuse of plea bargaining = fewer trials

Courtroom Work Group

Informal team: Judge + Prosecutor + Defense Attorney

They cooperate to move cases through quickly (not adversarial like TV)

Prosecutor vs. Defense

Prosecutor: Works for the government, tries to prove guilt

Defense Attorney: Protects rights of the accused

Think: “Prosecutes = push guilt, Defense = defend innocence”

Prosecutorial Discretion

Power to decide whether to charge, what charges to file, whether to offer plea deals

Major criticism: Can lead to bias or inconsistent outcomes

👨‍⚖️ Indigent Defense

For people who can’t afford lawyers

Public Defenders: Full-time government lawyers

Assigned Counsel: Private attorneys paid by the state

Contract Systems: Firms paid to take indigent cases

⚖️ Plea Bargaining

Over 90% of U.S. criminal cases end in plea deals

Types:

Charge bargaining – reduce the charge

Sentence bargaining – reduce the punishment

Fact bargaining – agree to certain facts

Why it’s common: Saves time, money, and resources

Criticisms: Coercive, bypasses justice, punishes people for going to trial

Consequences: Giving up right to trial, possible harsher sentences later, criminal record