Quiz B: Standards of Proof/Criminal Justice System Study Guide

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts from the Standards of Proof and the Criminal Justice System as outlined in the study guide.

Levels of Knowing

The continuum of certainty for law enforcement, ranging from mere suspicion to absolute certainty.

Criminal Justice System

A loose confederation of more than 50,000 agencies of federal, state, and local governments that administer justice.

Branches of Criminal Justice

The three branches are law enforcement/police, courts, and corrections.

District Attorney/Prosecutor

An official who reviews facts and evidence of a case to determine appropriate charges after an arrest.

Charging Documents

The three kinds of charging documents are complaint, information, and grand jury indictment.

Misdemeanor Offense

A less serious crime generally punishable by a fine or incarceration in jail for not more than one year.

Felony Offense

A serious crime punishable by death or confinement in prison for more than one year.

Arrest Warrant

A written order directing law enforcement officers to arrest a person.

Courtroom Players

The three main players are the Prosecutor/District Attorney, Defense Attorney, and Judge.

Types of Plea Bargains

The defendant may plead guilty to a lesser offense, receive a lighter sentence, or plead guilty to one charge in exchange for dropping another.

Factors Influencing Plea Bargain

The seriousness of the offense, the defendant’s criminal record, and the strength of the prosecutor’s case.

Rules of Discovery

Mandates that a prosecutor provide defense counsel with any exculpatory evidence in their possession.

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees the right to effective assistance of counsel during custodial interrogations, preliminary hearings, trial, and some post-trial proceedings.