Criminal Justice System Notes

A series of flashcards to help study key concepts of the criminal justice system based on the provided lecture notes.

What does the Exclusionary Rule state?

Illegally obtained evidence must be excluded from trial, but it does not apply to grand juries.

What case established the federal Exclusionary Rule?

Weeks v. U.S. (1914)

What case applied the Exclusionary Rule to the states?

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

What is the Good Faith Exception?

An exception to the exclusionary rule when officers reasonably rely on a defective warrant or law.

What does the Inevitable Discovery Rule allow?

Allows illegally obtained evidence if it would have been discovered lawfully anyway.

What did the study by Epp, Maynard-Moody, and Haider-Markel (2017) analyze?

Investigatory police stops and how they affect public trust in police.

What is the function of dispute processing in courts?

Courts resolve conflicts between parties by applying law to facts.

How do courts engage in policy making?

Courts shape public policy through their interpretations and rulings.

What is an adversarial system?

A legal system where prosecution and defense oppose each other before a neutral judge or jury.

How are federal judges selected?

By presidential nomination and Senate confirmation.

What is the difference between partisan and nonpartisan judicial elections?

Partisan elections have candidates run with party labels, whereas nonpartisan elections do not.

What is the role of defense attorneys?

Lawyers representing criminal defendants, including indigent clients.

What is Indigent Defense?

Legal representation for defendants who cannot afford an attorney.

What is a Grand Jury?

A group of citizens that decides whether there is enough evidence to issue an indictment.

What is a Plea Bargain?

An agreement where the defendant pleads guilty in exchange for concessions from the prosecution.

What was the significance of Boykin v. Alabama (1969)?

Required judges to ensure on the record that a guilty plea is voluntary and informed.

What does double jeopardy protect against?

Being tried twice for the same offense.

What is the goal of rehabilitation in corrections?

Efforts to change offenders’ behavior and help them become constructive members of society.

What does the term 'deterrence' refer to?

Using punishment to discourage crime, either in society (general) or by the individual (specific).

What is a mandatory sentence?

A legally required minimum or fixed punishment for specific crimes, limiting judicial discretion.

What effect did Atkins v. Virginia (2002) have on Penry v. Lynaugh (1989)?

Atkins effectively overturned Penry regarding the execution of intellectually disabled offenders.

What does preventive detention involve?

Holding a defendant in jail before trial to prevent flight or danger to the community.

What is the bail reform act of 1984?

A law allowing preventive detention of certain defendants based on risk factors.

What is a jury trial?

A trial where a jury of citizens determines guilt or innocence of the defendant.