exam 1 soc 1003

Recidivism

A person's relapse into criminal behavior, often after the person receives sanctions or undergoes intervention for a previous crime.

High-risk

The most likely to reoffend.

Low-risk

Relatively low probability of reoffending.

Offender

A person who is guilty of a crime.

Victim

Someone who has been hurt, damaged, killed, or has suffered.

Mala in se

Acts that are wrong in themselves, such as murder and rape.

Mala prohibita

Acts that are wrong because they are prohibited by law, such as speeding or jaywalking.

Justice

One of the three goals of the criminal justice system.

Crime Control

One of the three goals of the criminal justice system focusing on the prevention of crime.

Crime Prevention

One of the three goals of the criminal justice system aimed at reducing crime incidence.

Evidence Based Practices

Skills, techniques, and strategies that are proven effective through research evidence.

Federal Government

Government that creates laws typically related to issues crossing state lines.

State Government

Government that deals with a wide range of issues, operating state courts and prisons.

Felony

Serious offenses carrying a penalty of death or incarceration for more than a year.

Misdemeanor

Less serious offenses usually punishable by incarceration of no more than one year in jail.

Corpus delicti

The 'body of the crime' indicating that a crime has been committed.

Victim precipitation

The extent to which a victim is responsible for their own victimization.

Qualified immunity

Legal standards asserting that officers are protected unless the law they violated was clearly established.

Exclusionary Rule

Legal principle preventing the use of evidence obtained in violation of the Constitution in court.

Plea Bargaining

An agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant wherein the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge.

Miranda Warning

A warning given to criminal suspects to inform them of their rights during the arrest process.

Actus reus

The physical act of committing a crime.

Mens rea

The mental state or intent of the individual at the time of committing a crime.

Rehabilitation

A goal of the criminal justice system that focuses on restoring offenders to a constructive place in society.

Restorative Justice

A system of criminal justice that focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims.

Recidivism Rate

The tendency of previously incarcerated individuals to be re-arrested, reconvicted, or returned to prison.

Prison Population

The total number of individuals currently incarcerated in prisons.

Probation

A court-ordered period of supervision in the community, typically used as an alternative to incarceration.

Parole

The conditional release of a prisoner before the full sentence is served, allowing them to serve the rest of their sentence under supervision.

Judicial System

The system of courts that interprets and applies the law in legal cases.

Criminal Law

The body of law that relates to crime and the punishment of those who violate these laws.

Civil Law

The area of law that deals with disputes between individuals or organizations.

Sentencing Guidelines

A set of standards that judges use to determine the appropriate sentence for a convicted criminal.

Due Process

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

Burden of Proof

The obligation to prove one's assertion, often resting on the prosecution in criminal cases.

Testimonial Evidence

Evidence that is provided by a witness who makes a statement under oath.

Circumstantial Evidence

Evidence that relies on an inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact.

Double Jeopardy

A legal doctrine that prevents an individual from being tried for the same offense twice.

Bail

A temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, often conditional on a sum of money.

Statute of Limitations

The maximum period of time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated.

Habeas Corpus

A legal principle that protects against unlawful and indefinite imprisonment.

Victim Advocacy

Support and assistance provided to victims of crime throughout the legal process.

Community Policing

A strategy of law enforcement that focuses on cultivating positive relationships between police officers and the communities they serve.

Zero Tolerance Policy

A strict enforcement of regulations and bans against undesirable behavior.

Collateral Consequences

Additional civil state penalties, mandated by law, that attach to criminal convictions.

Search Warrant

A legal document authorizing a law enforcement officer to search premises.

Indictment

A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime.

Arraignment

The hearing in which a suspect is formally charged and enters a plea.

Restitution

Compensation for loss or injury; typically paid by an offender to the victim.

Third Degree Murder

A lesser charge resulting from unintentional killing, often considered less severe than first or second degree murder.

Involuntary Manslaughter

Killing another person unintentionally, often as a result of reckless behavior.

Grand Jury

A group of citizens convened to determine whether there is enough evidence to charge someone with a crime.

Battered Woman Syndrome

A psychological condition that may develop in women who have been subjected to consistent and severe domestic violence.

Restorative Practices

Methods that focus on repairing harm caused by criminal behavior through reconciliation between offenders and victims.

Deterrence

A goal of criminal justice aiming to prevent crime by instilling fear of punishment.

Criminal Profile

A psychological description of the likely characteristics of an offender based on their behavior and crime.

Mandatory Sentencing

A court decision in which a judge must impose a predetermined penalty for a certain crime, without discretion.

Diversion Programs

Programs aimed at redirecting offenders from traditional justice processing to alternative interventions.

Substantive Due Process

Legal doctrine that protects certain fundamental rights from government interference.

Crimes Against Property

Crimes that involve interference with a person's right to use or enjoy their property.

Reentry Programs

Programs designed to help formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society.

Recidivism Prevention

Strategies and programs aimed at reducing the likelihood of reoffending.

Dual Process Model

A theory that suggests there are two systems of thinking: one intuitive and automatic, the other deliberate and rational.

Community Corrections

Programs that allow offenders to serve time outside of prison, typically with supervision.

Victimology

The study of victims and the patterns of how they are victimized.

Solemn Warning

A formal statement made to a suspect about their legal rights before questioning.

Emotional Abuse

A form of abuse characterized by the systematic undermining of an individual's self-worth.

Insanity Defense

A legal defense claiming that a defendant was not in a sound mental state at the time of the crime.

Statutory Rape

Sexual intercourse with a person who is below the age of consent, regardless of whether consent was given.

Hate Crime

A criminal act motivated by bias against a person's race, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics.