Criminology 100 Kevin Fornshill GMU

Street Crime

these crimes are relatively common and serious, involving a victim and offender who come together in space and time

What does a street crime represent?

normally violet:

assault, rape, murder, armed robbery

Criminology

an academic discipline that investigates the nature, extent, and causes of criminal offending and criminal victimization

Mala in se

one of two types of illegal behavior. Mala in se refers to behavior that is sinful and inherently wrong by nature

Mala prohibita

One of two types of illegal behavior. Mala prohibita describes behavior that is prohibited by law. What constitutes mala prohibita is dynamic and has changed over time.

Uniform Crime Report (UCR)

an official measure of crime in the United States, produced by the FBI's official tabulation of every crime reported by more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies

Difference between reported crime and information gathered in a victimization survey?

reported crime is an official crime reported to the police while the victimization survey is put out by the FBI to get anonymous reports of crimes, this is much more accurate representation of how much crimes are committed

Code of Hammurabi

a collection of 282 laws. One of the first (but not THE first) examples of written law in the ancient world.

-ideas about appropriate behavior

Difference between a misdemeanor and a felony

No indictment for a misdemeanor, and misdemeanors are less serious than felonies

What years did the slave patrols operate?

1704-1865

What is probable cause?

reasonable grounds (for making a search, pressing a charge, etc.).

Use of force

The use of physical restraint by a police officer when dealing with a member of the public.

What's due process? What amendments apply?

the criminal justice system's purpose of ensuring that all people are accused of crimes are treated fairly and equally.

5th and 14th amendments

6 exceptions to warrantless searches

-plain view exception

-consent

-stop and frisk

-automobile exception

-emergencies/ hot pursuit

Interview vs. Interrogation

Interview: Process of gathering info from a person who has knowledge of the facts that an officer will need to conduct an investigation.

Interrogation: When a officer engages in direct questioning of a person about a crime, that is reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response from a person

Miranda vs. the U.S Constitution

The accused must be notified of their rights before being questioned by the police

Grass Eaters

A term for police officers who accept payoffs when everyday duties place them in a position to "look the other way."

meat eaters

a term for police officers who actively solicit bribes and vigorously engage in corrupt practices

Broken Windows Theory

a theory proposing that even small acts of crime, disorder, and vandalism can threaten a neighborhood and render it unsafe (neighbors let it happen)

Plain View Doctrine

officers may examine and use as evidence, without a warrant, contraband or evidence that is in open view at a location where they are legally permitted to be

Stop and Frisk

to "pat down" or search the outer clothing of someone whom the police believe is acting suspiciously

Fruit of the Poisonous Tree

secondary evidence obtained from a search that violates the exclusionary rule therefore cannot be used in the court of law