Criminal Justice Exam Review

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts in criminal justice relevant for exam preparation.

Death Penalty Support

55% in favor of the death penalty, a historic low indicating declining approval.

Arguments for Capital Punishment

Includes the belief that offenders cannot reoffend and the concept of general deterrence.

Arguments against Capital Punishment

Includes moral inconsistency, limited research evidence, the risk of executing innocent people, and unfair administration of death sentences.

Victim Integration in Criminal Justice

Inclusion of victims in the criminal justice process, with laws aimed at informing them of case statuses.

Office for Victims of Crime

Established in 1988 to assist crime victims through policies and funding.

Crime Victims' Rights Act

Established victim rights in federal criminal cases, expanded by state-level bills.

Victim Impact Statements

Allows victims to convey the emotional effects of the crime to the judge.

Capital Cases

Trials involving premeditated murder where the death penalty may be sought.

Bifurcated Trials

A two-phase trial process where the first phase determines guilt and the second phase determines sentencing.

Death Row Demographics

A report in 2024 indicated 2,024 persons on death row, with racial disparities noted.

Structured Sentencing

Fixed terms without discretion, moving towards retributive rather than rehabilitative justice.

Determinate Sentencing

Set by statutes, limits discretion, often with mandatory minimum sentences.

Sentencing Guidelines Act of 1984

Led to the abolition of parole and creation of federal sentencing guidelines based on crime severity and criminal history.

Principles of Punishment

Include proportionality, equality, and social debt in sentencing.

Goals of Sentencing

Retribution, incapacitation, deterrence, rehabilitation, and restoration.

Presentence Investigation

Involves considering background information for informed sentencing decisions.

Intermediate Sentencing

Early 20th century approach emphasizing discretion and rehabilitation with a range of years.

Sentencing Inequality

Public perception of inconsistencies in sentencing viewed as coddling criminals or as discriminatory.