Midterm CJ

Social Control

Mechanisms that regulate individual and group behavior to ensure conformity, enforced by the government through laws and the criminal justice system.

Criminal Justice System

A system consisting of interconnected agencies (police, courts, corrections) that work together to enforce laws, adjudicate crimes, and impose penalties.

Actus Reus

A criminal act, one of the three components required for a crime to occur.

Mens Rea

Criminal intent, the second component required for a crime to occur.

Dark Figure of Crime

Refers to unreported crimes that are not reflected in official statistics, leading to an incomplete understanding of crime.

Uniform Crime Report (UCR)

FBI-collected data on reported crimes, a primary crime measurement tool.

National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)

Survey-based crime data obtained from victims, another primary measurement tool.

Substantive Law

Defines crimes and their punishments.

Procedural Law

Dictates how legal proceedings must be conducted.

Problem-Oriented Policing (POP)

A proactive policing strategy that focuses on identifying and analyzing crime problems to develop effective response strategies.

Broken Windows Theory

The theory that addressing minor signs of disorder helps prevent more serious crimes.

Police Discretion

The ability of police officers to decide how to enforce laws based on their judgment.

Selective Enforcement

The practice of enforcing some laws more strictly than others, raising concerns about fairness.

Fourth Amendment

Protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring probable cause for most searches.

Police Militarization

The use of military-style equipment, tactics, and weapons by law enforcement agencies.

Double Marginality

The experience of minority officers being viewed as outsiders both by fellow officers and the community.

Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear and decide a case.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the U.S., which has the final say on constitutional issues.

Exclusionary Rule

Prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in court.

Community Policing

A strategy that emphasizes building relationships between law enforcement and the community to enhance public safety and trust.