Introduction to Criminal Justice Test 1 Review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the Introduction to Criminal Justice lecture notes.

Statute of Limitations

A law that bars claims after a certain period of time passes after an injury.

Institution of Social Control

A formal organization or system that enforces societal rules, norms, and values to maintain order.

Jurisdiction

The legal authority of a court or government body to interpret and apply the law within a specific territory.

Misdemeanor

A less serious crime generally punishable by a fine or incarceration in jail for not more than one year.

Felony

A serious offense punishable by confinement in prison for more than one year or by death.

Arrest

The seizing and detaining of a person by lawful authority.

Booking

The administrative recording of an arrest.

Defendant

A person against whom a legal action is brought.

Initial Appearance

A pretrial stage where a Defendant is informed of charges and advised of constitutional rights.

Probable Cause

The legal standard requiring sufficient trustworthy facts to believe a crime has been committed.

Bail

A deposit to ensure a defendant attends their court hearings.

Preliminary Hearing

A pretrial proceeding to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with a case.

Grand Jury

A group of citizens who investigate charges from preliminary hearings.

Arraignment

A pretrial stage where the defendant is informed of the charges and allowed to enter a plea.

Plea Bargaining

An agreement where a specific sentence is agreed upon if the accused pleads guilty.

Bench Trial

A trial before a judge without a jury.

Probation

A court-ordered period where a convicted person stays in the community under supervision.

Parole

The conditional release of prisoners before they have served their full sentences.

Crime Control Model

A model emphasizing the efficiency of the criminal justice process and presumption of guilt.

Due Process Model

A model emphasizing the legal guilt and the presumption of innocence.

Doctrine of Legal Guilt

The principle that a person is not only factually guilty but must also meet the legal standards of guilt.

Overcriminalization

The prohibition by law of behaviors that arguably should not be prohibited.

Undercriminalization

Harmful acts that are not criminal but should be.

Actus Reus

The physical act or conduct required to constitute a criminal offense.

Mens Rea

Criminal intent or a guilty state of mind.

Negligence

Failure to take reasonable precautions to prevent harm.

Juvenile Delinquency

A special category of offense for youths typically aged between 7 and 18.

Insanity

Mental impairment used as a defense against criminal charges.

Entrapment

Inducing a person to commit a crime that they would not have otherwise committed.

Mala In Se Crimes

Crimes that are inherently wrong, like rape and murder.

Mala Prohibita Crimes

Crimes that are illegal based on statute, like trespassing.

Crime Index

An estimate of crimes committed.

Uniform Crime Reports

A collection of crime statistics and information published annually by the FBI.

National Incident-Based Reporting System

A system aimed at improving the quality of information in crime reporting.

National Crime Victimization Surveys (NCVS)

Interviews asking whether individuals have been victims of crime.

Self-Report Crime Surveys

Surveys asking subjects if they have committed crimes.