Crime and Justice Unit 1

Justice

The maintenance or administration of what is just ,especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments

Blackstone's Ratio

It is better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer.

Federalism

A system in which a territory is ruled by two (or more) levels of government. Foundational principle in American government.

Federal Law

The body of law created by the federal government

State Law

The body of law created by individual state governments.

Local Law

The body of law created by individual counties, cities, towns, etc.

Jurisdiction

The authority granted to a legal entity to enact justice.

Due Process of Law

The proper course of legal proceedings according to the rules established for the protection of private rights

Investigation

The systematic study of facts that are then used to decide on arrest and inform criminal trials

Warrant

A written directive or permission from a judge for a law enforcement officer to perform a specified act (i.e. a search warrant)

Arrest

Seize (someone) by legal authority and take into custody

Booking

The process where information about a criminal suspect is entered into the system of a police station or jail after that person's arrest

First Appearance

The judge will provide the defendant with a copy of the criminal complaint. The complaint will list the charge or charges and the maximum possible penalty upon conviction.

Release on Recognizance

A court's decision to allow a person charged with a crime to remain at liberty pending the trial, without having to post bail.

Bail

The money or property pledged to the court or actually deposited with the court to effect the release of a person from legal custody.

Preliminary Hearing

A proceeding to determine

1) If a crime was committed

2) Whether the crime occurred in the court's jurisdiction

3) Whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that the defendant committed the crime

Probable Cause

Criteria needed to keep someone under arrest. Based on the facts and circumstances, would a reasonable person believe that the defendant committed the crime?

Indictment

Formal, written accusation submitted to court by a grand jury, alleging that a specified person has committed a crime.

Grand Jury

A group of citizens who determines if there is enough evidence to bring a person to trial

Arraignment

A hearing after the indictment. Charges are read aloud and defendant enters their plea (guilty or not guilty).

Plea

A formal response to a charge, guilty or not guilty

Trial

The examination in a court of the issues of fact and law in a case for the purpose of reaching a judgement of conviction or acquittal of the defendant(s)

Sentencing

If defendant is found guilty, the judge will impose a punishment. There is a sentencing hearing after the trial.

Incarceration

The state of being confined in prison.

Probation

A period of supervision over an offender, ordered by the court instead of serving time in prison.

Parole

The conditional release of prisoners before they complete their sentence.

Double Jeopardy

Being tried twice for the same crime

Self-incrimination

Testifying against oneself, either in court or in questioning by law enforcement