Criminal Justice Exam 2 Review

Broken Windows Theory

Small signs of disorder (like vandalism or broken windows) lead to more serious crime if not addressed.

The Code of the Street

Street culture emphasizing respect, reputation, and survival in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Anomie Theory

Crime occurs when social norms break down or when people cannot achieve societal goals through legitimate means.

Life Course Theory

Explains how life events and social experiences influence criminal behavior over time.

Hirschi’s Social Bond Theory

People commit crime when their attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief in society are weak.

Five Theoretical Frameworks

Choice, Biological, Social, Social-Psychological, Cognitive.

Three Elements of Deterrence

Certainty, severity, and swiftness (celerity) of punishment.

Father of the Classical School

Cesare Beccaria, who emphasized rational choice and deterrence.

Ectomorph

Thin, introverted body type associated with low criminality.

Endomorph

Soft, sociable body type associated with comfort-seeking behavior.

Mesomorph

Muscular, aggressive body type most associated with criminal behavior.

Shaw and McKay’s Theory

Social disorganization in poor, unstable neighborhoods leads to higher crime rates.

Early English Policing System

Included the tithing system, constable, sheriff, and night watch.

Night Watch

Patrolled streets at night, alerting citizens to danger.

Constable

Local peacekeeper responsible for law enforcement in the parish.

Sheriff

County-level law enforcement officer overseeing order and justice.

Ward

Assistant to the constable responsible for enforcing local rules.

First Modern Police Department

London Metropolitan Police, founded in 1829 by Sir Robert Peel.

Factors Leading to Expansion of Policing

Urbanization, industrialization, and increased crime rates.

August Vollmer

Father of modern policing; introduced education, training, and scientific methods.

Wickersham Commission

Studied police corruption and recommended professional reforms.

J. Edgar Hoover

First FBI Director who centralized records and modernized investigations.

Burns

Early reformer who contributed to investigative policing methods.

Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF)

Federal, state, and local collaboration to prevent terrorism.

Political Era of Policing

Police controlled by politics; widespread corruption.

Reform Era of Policing

Focus on professionalism and separation from politics.

Community Era of Policing

Focus on community relationships and problem-solving.

Modern Era of Policing

Emphasizes intelligence-led policing and technology.

Kansas City Preventive Patrol Study

Found that visible patrols did not significantly affect crime rates.

Rand Criminal Investigation Study

Showed that most crimes are solved through witness information.

Newport News Study

Demonstrated success of problem-oriented policing in addressing community issues.

Routine Patrol Functions

Include deterrence, quick response, and reassurance.

Differential Police Response

Prioritizes calls based on urgency or seriousness.

Community Policing

Builds trust and cooperation between police and the community.

Targeted Policing Strategies

Focus resources on high-crime areas or specific issues.

Operation Ceasefire

Focused deterrence strategy to reduce youth and gang violence.

Joint Task Forces

Multi-agency collaborations to address complex crime problems.

Federalism

Division of power between federal, state, and local governments.

Search Exceptions

Consent, plain view, exigent circumstances, vehicle search, stop and frisk, incident to arrest, hot pursuit.

Probable Cause

Sufficient evidence for arrest or search.

Reasonable Suspicion

Justifies temporary stop or frisk.

Predictors of Juvenile Custody

Age, offense severity, prior history, family situation.

Order Maintenance

Policing minor offenses to prevent major crimes.

Civilization of Policing

Use of civilians in administrative or support police roles.

Lobbying in Law Enforcement

Efforts to influence policy in favor of policing needs.

Police Militarization

Use of military equipment and tactics in civilian policing.

Police Subculture

Shared values, norms, and behaviors within the police community.