Untitled Flashcards Set

What is crime?

Actions society deems immoral and can be punished for.

What does 'mala in se' refer to?

Crimes that are inherently evil and immoral.

What does 'mala prohibita' refer to?

Actions that are wrong simply because they are prohibited by law.

What is recidivism?

A person's relapse into criminal activity.

What does high risk indicate in criminal behavior?

A high probability of reoffending.

What is a felony?

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

What is a misdemeanor?

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

What are the three goals of the justice system?

Justice, crime control, and crime prevention.

Describe 'crime control' as a goal of the justice system.

The effort required by the entire justice system to punish and deter crime.

Define evidence-based practice in criminal justice.

Strategies that have been tested and proven effective in reducing bias.

What is federalism in the context of government structure?

The division of power between federal and state governments.

What is the role of federal courts?

To handle laws created by Congress that cross state lines or are federally relevant.

What distinguishes district courts from appellate courts?

District courts deal with original cases, while appellate courts handle appeals.

What is the significance of jurisdiction in the criminal justice system?

Determines which court has authority over a case based on geographic and subject matter considerations.

What is meant by resource dependence in the criminal justice system?

The reliance of courts on government funding, creating potential political tensions.

What does 'filtering' refer to in the criminal justice process?

The process of individuals moving through the system, including being found innocent or released.

List the steps in the criminal justice process.

Investigation, arrest, booking, charging, initial appearance, preliminary hearing, indictment, arraignment, trial, sentencing, appeal, corrections, release.

What percentage of cases do people typically plead out?

93% of people plead out.

What is the corpus delicti?

The body of the crime; something must have actually happened for a crime to be proven.

Define actus reus.

The 'guilty act' or the act of committing a crime.

What is mens rea?

The 'guilty mind'; intention or knowledge of wrongdoing when committing a crime.

What does concurrence refer to in criminal law?

The requirement that the actus reus and mens rea occur together.

Define causation in the context of crime.

The link between the criminal act and the harm caused.

What is harm in criminal law?

The negative impact on the victim or community caused by the crime.

What are the pros of drug legalization?

Economic growth, regulation, quality control, and decreased illegal trade.

What are the cons of drug legalization?

Potential increase in drug use, higher rates of drug-related offenses, and more accessible drugs.

Name a pro of legalizing sex work.

Improved safety and regulation of the industry.

Name a con of legalizing sex work.

Increased risk of human trafficking and exploitation.

What are the criticisms of aid in dying?

Normalizing suicide, potential depression, slippery slope concerns.

What was the case study of Armin Meiwes known for?

He killed and ate a willing victim, Bernd Brandes, leading to a life sentence.

What is criminology?

The scientific study of crime and criminal behavior.

What is victimology?

The study of the causes and consequences of victimization.

Define victim precipitation.

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

What is the Victims of Crime Act?

A law enacted in 1984 that established rights for victims.

Who was Robert Telles?

A former Nevada politician convicted of murdering journalist Jeff German.

What does 'recurring victimization' mean?

Victims who have previously been targeted are more likely to be targeted again.

What role do problem-solving courts play in the criminal justice system?

They focus on specific offenses or types of people committing crimes for rehabilitation purposes.

Who are the main figures in a courtroom?

Judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys.

What is the purpose of jury selection?

To ensure an unbiased jury through the voir dire process.

What is the difference between direct and circumstantial evidence?

Direct evidence directly links a defendant to the crime, while circumstantial evidence requires inference.

What triggers pretrial detention?

Being held in jail before trial, generally due to flight risk or danger to society.

What is the significance of plea bargaining?

The majority of cases are resolved through plea deals rather than going to trial.

Define 'visible crime.'

Crimes that are committed in public and easily observable.

What defines organized crime?

A structured group committing profit-driven illegal activities using force or corruption.

What is the 'dark figure of crime'?

Unreported crime that is not captured in official statistics.

What reforms have emerged regarding bail practices?

Some states are implementing income-based bail to address inequalities.

Who was Kalief Browder?

A teenager who spent three years in pretrial detention and later took his life.

What is qualified immunity?

Legal doctrine that protects government officials from being liable for constitutional violations unless clearly established law is broken.

What did the case of Kisela v. Hughes illustrate regarding police discretion?

The challenges in determining use of force and the complexities of qualified immunity.

What is a juror's purpose during a trial?

To assess evidence and make a fair and impartial decision regarding the case.

What are the main characteristics of the political era of policing?

Police departments were heavily influenced by political forces, often leading to corruption.

What is the social contract theory in criminology?

The idea that individuals agree to form a society and abide by its rules in exchange for protection and social order.

What are the main types of crime classifications?

The main classifications include violent crime, property crime, white-collar crime, organized crime, and victimless crime.

Define white-collar crime.

Non-violent crime committed for financial gain within a business or professional setting.

What is organized crime's impact on society?

It undermines legal businesses, fosters corruption, and threatens public safety.

What constitutes a hate crime?

A crime motivated by bias or prejudice against a particular group, such as race, religion, or sexual orientation.

What are status offenses?

Activities that are considered illegal due to the age of the offender, such as underage drinking.

Define juvenile delinquency.

Engagement in illegal behavior by minors.

What are the deterrence theory principles?

The theory that the threat of punishment will prevent criminal behavior.

What is restorative justice?

An approach focusing on repairing harm caused by criminal behavior through reconciliation and support.

What are the potential benefits of community policing?

Enhanced relationships between police and communities, prevention of crime, and increased public safety.

What are the different types of sentencing?

Types include incarceration, probation, community service, and fines.

What is the role of a parole officer?

To supervise offenders released from incarceration on parole and ensure compliance with their parole conditions.

Define extralegal factors in criminal justice.

Factors outside of legal considerations that may influence criminal case outcomes, such as race, gender, or socioeconomic status.

What is a presentence investigation report?

A report compiled to assist a judge in determining appropriate sentencing.

What does 'double jeopardy' mean in legal terms?

The constitutional protection against being tried twice for the same offense.

What is the purpose of a preliminary hearing?

To determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.

What is the difference between a bench trial and a jury trial?

A bench trial is decided by a judge, while a jury trial is decided by a group of jurors.

Define aggravating factors in sentencing.

Circumstances that increase the severity or culpability of a crime.

What are mitigating factors in sentencing?

Circumstances that may reduce the severity of a sentence.

What is the impact of incarceration on families?

Incarceration can lead to emotional, social, and economic challenges for families of offenders.

What does recidivism rate indicate?

The percentage of previously incarcerated individuals who are re-arrested or re-incarcerated.

Define criminal profiling.

The practice of analyzing behavior and characteristics to predict or identify potential offenders.

What is the role of forensic evidence in criminal investigations?

Forensic evidence provides scientific data that can support or refute a suspect's involvement in a crime.

What is the purpose of victim support services?

To provide assistance, counseling, and resources to victims of crime.

What does the term 'criminalization' refer to?

The process of making an act a criminal offense.

What are cyber crimes?

Crimes involving computers and the internet, such as hacking and identity theft.

Define diversion programs in juvenile justice.

Programs aimed at diverting juveniles away from formal court processing.

What is the role of the probation department?

To supervise offenders placed on probation and ensure compliance with their conditions.

What is a restorative justice circle?

A community-based process that brings together victims, offenders, and community members to address the impact of crimes.

What impact does socioeconomic status have on crime?

Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may face higher rates of crime involvement due to various social stressors.

What is a crime trend?

A pattern or shift in the occurrence or reporting of crime over time.

What does the term 'criminal justice system' encompass?

The collection of agencies, rules, and procedures involved in the prevention, investigation, prosecution, punishment, and rehabilitation of crime.

What is the role of the FBI in criminal justice?

To investigate and enforce federal laws, as well as gather and analyze criminal data.

Define the concept of normalized deviance.

The tolerance of behavior that deviates from the norm within a specific context, often leading to criminal behavior being accepted.

What are alternative dispute resolution methods?

Methods such as mediation and arbitration that aim to resolve disputes outside of the court system.

What are the implications of mandatory minimum sentencing laws?

They establish fixed minimum sentences for certain crimes, potentially limiting judicial discretion.

What is the significance of the Sixth Amendment?

It guarantees the right to a fair trial, including the right to an attorney and an impartial jury.

Define community corrections.

Alternative forms of punishment that allow offenders to serve their sentences in the community under supervision.

What are victim impact statements?

Statements made by victims to inform the court about the emotional, financial