Criminal Justice 1,4,5,6,7

Criminal Justice System

The system of law enforcement, adjudication, and correction involved in the apprehension, prosecution, and control of individuals charged with criminal offenses.

London Metropolitan Police Department

Founded in 1829, it was the first organized police service in London.

Boston Police Department

Established in 1838, it was one of the first organized police forces in the United States.

New York City Police Department

Founded in 1844, it is one of the largest police departments in the United States.

Agencies of Criminal Justice

The various governmental entities responsible for enforcing the law and administering justice.

Evidence-based Justice

A scientific approach to determine the effectiveness of criminal justice programs in reducing crime rates and recidivism.

Recidivism

The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.

Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA)

Provided funding and assistance to state and local law enforcement from 1969 to 1982.

Social Control

Society's ability to regulate individual behavior to achieve good order.

Criminal Justice Process

The sequence of events in the criminal justice system from arrest to reentry into society.

Plea Bargaining

A negotiation in which a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence.

Discretion in Criminal Justice

The power of law enforcement officers and other officials to make choices in enforcing laws.

Misdemeanors

Less serious offenses punishable by fines or short jail time.

Felonies

The most serious crimes, typically punishable by a longer prison sentence or death.

Actus Reus

The physical act of committing a crime.

Mens Rea

The mental state or intent to commit a crime.

Substantive Criminal Law

Defines what constitutes a crime and the associated punishments.

Procedural Law

Rules that govern the legal process for enforcing substantive laws.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution that guarantee specific rights to citizens.

Fourth Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Fifth Amendment

Ensures due process and protects against self-incrimination.

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees the right to a fair trial, an impartial jury, and the right to counsel.

Eighth Amendment

Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

Due Process of Law

Legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person.

Exclusionary Rule

A legal principle that prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in court.

Stare Decisis

The legal principle of determining points in litigation according to precedent.

Common Law

Law derived from judicial decisions, rather than from statutes.

Mala in se

Crimes that are inherently wrong or evil.

Mala prohibitum

Crimes that are prohibited by statute but not necessarily inherently evil.

Insanity Defense

A legal defense asserting that a defendant was not responsible for their actions due to mental disorder.

Entrapment

A defense arguing that law enforcement induced a person to commit a crime they otherwise would not have committed.

Community Policing

A policing strategy focused on building relationships between police and communities.

Problem-Oriented Policing (POP)

A policing strategy that focuses on proactive problem solving rather than reactive enforcement.

Intelligence-Led Policing (ILP)

A policing strategy that involves collecting and analyzing information to inform police decision-making.

Homeland Security Agencies

Federal agencies focused on preventing terrorist attacks and responding to threats within the United States.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Investigative agency and civil law enforcement of the United States.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Agency responsible for public security, overseeing agencies related to national security.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

Federal agency that enforces the controlled substances laws and regulations.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

Federal agency controlling the regulation of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives.

U.S. Marshals Service

The federal agency responsible for apprehending fugitives and managing and transporting prisoners.

Judicial Interpretation

The process by which courts interpret the law and the Constitution.

Triad of the Courtroom

The three main actors in the courtroom: prosecutor, defense attorney, and judge.

Prosecutorial Discretion

The authority of an office to decide what charges to file, if any.

Reactive Policing

Policing strategy where officers respond to calls for service.

Proactive Policing

Active method of policing where officers engage in crime prevention and investigation.

Judicial Rulings

Decisions made by courts that can alter or remove the enforcement of certain laws.

Arrest

Act of detaining a person based on suspicion of committing a crime.

Trial

A formal examination of evidence before a judge and typically a jury.

Sentencing

The judicial determination of a punishment for a convicted defendant.

Recidivism Rate

The rate at which previously incarcerated individuals reoffend.

Victimless Crime

An illegal act that does not directly violate or affect another person.

Cybercrime

Criminal activities that involve computers or networks.

Terrorism

Use of violence or threats to intimidate or coerce for political purposes.

Transnational Crime

Criminal activity that crosses international borders.

Community Partnership

Collaboration between residents, law enforcement, and other entities to improve public safety.

Court of Limited Jurisdiction

Courts that hear specific types of cases, such as traffic or small claims.

Court of General Jurisdiction

Courts that can hear any case not specifically assigned to another court.

Appellate Court

Court that hears appeals from lower courts.

Criminal Defense

The legal strategy or argument used by the defendant to challenge the charge.

Plea Agreement

An arrangement between a defendant and prosecutor whereby the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge.

Victim Advocacy

Support services for victims of crime throughout the criminal justice process.

Mitigating Circumstances

Factors that may reduce the severity of a sentence.

Aggravating Circumstances

Factors that may increase the severity of a sentence.

Corruption in Law Enforcement

Acts by police or government officials that are unlawful or unethical.

Ethics in Criminal Justice

The study of moral principles that guide behavior in the criminal justice system.

Social Inequality and Crime

The relationship between unequal social status and criminal activity.

• Level I

celebrated cases

Level I|

serious felonies

Level III

less serious felonies

• Level IV 

misdemeanors

The origin of America policing comes from

English policing

 constable is considered

the first police officer 

Shire

shire reeve is considered the very origin of beginning of the sheriff 

 August Vollmer

(known as the father of modern American policing and considered the most famous police reformer) (Chief of the Berkley, CA Police Department)

O. W. Wilson

(Chief of the Chicago Police Department)