Unit 2 and 3 Review: Police and the Courts

This set of flashcards is designed for reviewing key concepts related to the police and the courts, covering major amendments, court cases, policing styles, and fundamental principles of law.

Purpose of the Police

To maintain order, prevent crime, and provide services to the community.

Service Style

Focuses on fostering positive relationships between police and community.

Quality of Life Offenses

Minor violations of the law that disrupt the quality of life in a community.

Strategic Policing

A proactive approach to policing that emphasizes crime prevention.

Broken Windows Theory

Suggests that visible signs of disorder cause more serious crimes.

Problem Solving Policing

A policing approach that focuses on identifying and addressing issues underlying crime.

Hot Spot

Areas with a high concentration of crime.

Community Policing

A strategy of law enforcement that focuses on building relationships with community members.

Federal Law Enforcement Agencies

Government organizations responsible for enforcing federal laws.

Kansas City Experiment

A study that evaluated the impact of police patrolling on crime rates.

Fusion Centers

Collaborative efforts between multiple agencies to share information and intelligence.

Interpol

An international police organization that facilitates cooperation between law enforcement agencies.

Fourth Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Fifth Amendment

Protects against self-incrimination and guarantees due process.

Line Operations vs. Staff Operations

Line operations involve direct police work; staff operations support those doing the work.

Exclusionary Rule

A legal principle that excludes evidence obtained illegally from trial.

Watchman Style

A style of policing that focuses on maintaining order and informal discretion.

Legalistic Style

A strict enforcement style of policing focused on rules and laws.

Supreme Court Cases

Legal decisions made by the highest court in the United States.

Mapp v. Ohio

Established the exclusionary rule for state courts.

Miranda v. Arizona

Mandated that individuals in custody be informed of their rights.

Nix v. Williams

Established the inevitable discovery doctrine.

Garrity Rights

Protects public employees from self-incrimination in certain circumstances.

Chimel v. California

Limited the scope of police searches during arrests.

1983 Action

Refers to lawsuits against officials for civil rights violations.

Arizona v. Evans

Established limitations on the exclusionary rule.

California v. Greenwood

Allowed police to search trash without a warrant.

Bivens Action

A lawsuit for damages against federal officials for constitutional violations.

Internal Affairs

A division investigating police misconduct and allegations.

Horton v California

Allowed for the seizure of evidence not listed in a search warrant.

New York v. Quarles

Established a public safety exception to Miranda rights.

Confidential Informant

An individual who provides information to law enforcement secretly.

Katz v. US

Expanded privacy rights under the Fourth Amendment.

Foot Patrol

Policing by walking neighborhoods to increase visibility and community relations.

Force Factor

Guidelines determining the appropriate use of force by police.

Tennessee v. Garner

Limited the use of deadly force in apprehending fleeing suspects.

Federal Deadly Force Policy

Guidelines regulating the use of deadly force by federal officers.

Police subculture

The shared values, norms, and beliefs among police officers.

Meat Eating vs. Grass Eating

Categories of police corruption; 'meat eating' is more serious misconduct.

Federal Court Structure

The hierarchical organization of federal courts, including district and appellate courts.

Venue

The geographical location where a case is tried.

Booking

The process of recording an arrest and taking an individual's information.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to invalidate laws and executive actions.

Arraignment

A court proceeding where the defendant is formally charged and enters a plea.

Writ of Certiorari

A request for a higher court to review a lower court's decision.

Bail bonds

Financial guarantees ensuring a defendant's appearance in court.

New York State Court Structure

The organization of courts within New York, including trial and appellate courts.

Bail Reform

Legislation aimed at changing the bail system to reduce pretrial detention.

Community Courts

Problem-solving courts that focus on local community issues.

Grand Jury

A group that determines whether there is enough evidence to indict a person.

Problem Solving Courts

Specialized courts addressing specific issues like drug use or mental health.

Preliminary Hearing

A hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for a trial.

Original Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case for the first time.

Plea Bargaining

Negotiation between prosecutor and defendant regarding the plea and sentence.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts.

Courtroom Work Group

The collaboration among judges, lawyers, and other professionals in court.

Non Courtroom Work Group

Support personnel and professionals who aid the judicial process outside the courtroom.

Batson v. Kentucky

Prohibits discriminatory practices in jury selection.

Prosecutorial Discretion

The authority of prosecutors to make decisions on charges and plea deals.

JEB v. Alabama

Extended Batson to prohibit gender discrimination in jury selection.

Exculpatory Evidence

Evidence that may exonerate a defendant from guilt.

Indigent Defense

Legal representation provided to defendants who cannot afford an attorney.

Goals of Sentencing

Objectives such as rehabilitation, deterrence, retribution, and incapacitation.

Retribution

Punishment as a form of societal vengeance.

Incapacitation

Removing a criminal from society to prevent future crimes.

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees the right to a fair trial, counsel, and an impartial jury.

Deterrence

Preventing crime by the threat of punishment.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Established the right to counsel for indigent defendants in felony cases.

Rehabilitation

Programs aimed at reforming offenders to prevent future crimes.

Argersinger v. Hamlin

Extended the right to an attorney for misdemeanor cases involving jail time.

Restoration

Restoring the offender to a positive role in society.

Peremptory Challenge

A lawyer’s right to reject a certain number of potential jurors without cause.

Recidivism

The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.

Challenge for Cause

A request to disqualify a juror for a specific reason.

Indeterminate Sentencing

Flexible sentencing allowing parole boards to release inmates based on behavior.

Concurrent Sentences

Multiple sentences served at the same time.

Capital Punishment

The legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime.

Consecutive Sentences

Multiple sentences served one after the other.

Habeas Corpus

A legal order requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge.

Determinate Sentencing

Fixed sentencing where the judge determines a specific sentence.

Presumptive Sentencing

Guidelines suggesting a typical sentence for a specific crime.

Aggravating Factors

Circumstances that increase the severity of a crime.

Mitigating factors

Circumstances that may lessen the severity of a crime.

Mandatory Sentencing

Laws requiring a fixed sentence for certain crimes.

Alternative Sanctions

Punishments other than incarceration, such as community service.

Furman v. Georgia

Struck down the death penalty as it was applied, declaring it unconstitutional.

Gregg v. Georgia

Restored the death penalty under revised statutes to address Furman.