Criminal Justice Lecture Review

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts in criminal justice, focusing on courtroom procedures, the roles of various actors, legal principles, and concerns within the justice system.

Bench trial

A trial that has only a judge, who acts as a fact finder and determines the issue of law in the particular case.

Adversarial system

In the United States, the system where the prosecutor is pitted against the defense attorney at trial.

Inquisitorial system

A system in which the judge takes an active role in questioning witnesses and in the case.

Jurisdiction

The geographic territory or legal boundaries within which control may be exercised or the range of a court’s authority.

Trial courts of general jurisdiction

Criminal courts with jurisdiction over all offenses, including felonies.

Reasonable expectation of privacy

An objective standard by which the courts determine if an individual has privacy that should be protected from government examination.

Reasonable suspicion

A police officer’s belief that criminal activity is afoot that requires further investigation.

Probable cause

Reliable information indicating that it is more likely than not that evidence will be found in a specific location or that a specific person is guilty.

Release on recognizance

A pretrial release option where defendants are released from custody without having to post bail.

Civil law

Regulates relationships between individuals, typically regarding business disputes.

Wrongful death suit

A civil case that could address actions also tried in criminal courts.

Habeas corpus petitions

Legal petitions that challenge the lawfulness of an individual's detention.

Arrest

A significant deprivation of liberty involving taking a person into custody.

Consent searches

Searches conducted by police when individuals give permission for the search.

Exclusionary rule

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

Exigent circumstances

Conditions that allow officers to search, arrest, or question without obtaining a warrant due to immediate threat.

Totality of circumstances

The flexible test used to determine the existence of probable cause needed for obtaining a search warrant.

Problem-solving courts

Specialized courts focusing on addressing underlying social issues, like drug addiction.

Pretrial detention

Jail time served by defendants who cannot make bail before their trial.

Election, specifically nonpartisan election

The process for selecting judges in some states.

Inevitable discovery rule

An exception to the exclusionary rule allowing improperly obtained evidence if it would have been discovered inevitably.

Miranda v. Arizona

The Supreme Court case that established the requirement for suspects in custody to be informed of their rights.

Bail system concerns

Issues with the bail system include systemic bias against the poor and innocent people pleading guilty to avoid detention.

Plea bargains concerns

Concerns include undermining appropriate punishment standards, reducing the right to trial, and innocent people pleading guilty.

Tennessee v. Garner

The Supreme Court ruling that police may not use deadly force in apprehending a fleeing felon unless necessary.