Exam 2 Review Chapter 6- Criminal Justice System in Texas

Foundations of criminal Justice

Criminal Law

Deals with actions considered harmful to public

Civil Law

Law deal with disputes between private individuals or orginizations

Burden of Proof

Legal obligation of prosecution tp prove its case “Beyond Reasonable doubt”

TX Penal Code

Defines Criminal Offesces, and punishments for them

TX Code of Criminal Procedure

Outlines rules, procedures, and proper steps for the state criminal justice system, from arrest to appeal

Felony

A serious criminal offense, punishable by imprisonment for more than a year

Misdemeanor

Less serious criminal offense, Punishable by fine or a term in county jail

Graden Penalties

Criminal offenses are classified by severity

Enhanced Punishment

Policy where a defendants criminal history can be used to increase the severity of the penalty

Exculpatory Evidence

Evidence that suggests the defendants innocence

Pardon

Full restoration of rights and privilges of citizenship to a person who has been convicted of a crime

Commute

A power to reduce a legally imposed sentence

Reprieve

A power to temporarily suspend execution of a sentence (used in death penalty cases)

Exoneration

Official legal finding that a defendant was wrongfully convicted of a crime

Recidivism

Tendency of a convicted criminal to re-offend and return to prison after release

Intake

Initial Phase of juvenile justice process where a court official determines whether a case should be formally processed