CJ101 Final Studying

Actus Reus

The physical act of committing a crime.

Defenses to Actus Reus

Legal arguments such as duress or necessity that justify the act or negate liability.

Amicus Curiae

A 'friend of the court' who assists the court by providing information or expertise.

Appeals

Requests made to a higher court to review a lower court's decision.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The authority of a higher court to review and potentially change the decisions of a lower court.

Arraignment

A court procedure where a defendant is formally charged with a crime and enters a plea.

Arson

The criminal act of intentionally setting fire to property.

Bail

Money or property given to secure a defendant's release from jail.

Brady v. Maryland

A Supreme Court case mandating prosecutors to disclose exonerating evidence.

Burglary

The unlawful entry into a building with intent to commit a crime.

CompStat

A data-driven police management system for tracking crime data.

Concurrence

The requirement that both the criminal act and intent occur at the same time.

Confessions

Statements by a defendant admitting to committing a crime.

Constitution

The fundamental law establishing government structure and citizen rights.

Corpus Delicti

The body of the crime; evidence that a crime has occurred.

Courts

Different judicial bodies handling various types of cases.

Crime Statistics

Data collected about crime rates and types used for analysis.

Criminology Theories

Various explanations for the causes of crime from different perspectives.

Decarceration

The process of reducing the prison population through alternatives.

Double Jeopardy

Protection against being tried twice for the same crime.

Eighth Amendment

Part of the Constitution that prohibits excessive bail and punishment.

Ex Parte

A legal proceeding where one party is absent.

Exoneration

The process of officially clearing someone of criminal charges.

Federal Crimes

Crimes that violate federal law.

Federalism

A government system dividing power between central and regional governments.

Felony vs. Misdemeanor

Felonies are serious crimes, while misdemeanors are less severe offenses.

Fifth Amendment

Constitutional protection against self-incrimination and guarantees due process.

Fourth Amendment

Protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures.

Furman v. Georgia

A Supreme Court case that halted the death penalty due to arbitrary application.

Gideon v. Wainwright

A Supreme Court case ruling that defendants have the right to an attorney.

Habeas Corpus

A legal order requiring a prisoner to be brought before a judge.

In re Gault

A case granting juveniles the right to due process.

Jails

Local facilities for individuals awaiting trial or serving short sentences.

Judges

Court officials overseeing legal proceedings.

Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear and decide cases.

Jury

A group of citizens determining a defendant's guilt or innocence.

Juvenile Court

A specialized court for minors accused of crimes.

Juvenile Justice System

Focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment for minors.

Latin Terms in Law

Key legal terms from Latin used in legal traditions.

Mens Rea

The defendant's mental state or intent when committing a crime.

Miranda v. Arizona

Case requiring police to inform suspects of their rights.

Mistrial

A trial invalidated by a major error.

Murder

The unlawful killing of another with intent.

National Crime Victimization Survey

A survey gathering data on crime rates and victim experiences.

NIBRS

National Incident-Based Reporting System for detailed crime data collection.

Nolo Contendere

A plea where the defendant neither admits nor denies guilt.

Order of Events (CJ system)

Steps in the criminal justice process from investigation to sentencing.

Order of Events (pre-trial/trial)

Steps like arraignment, discovery, pretrial motions, and trial.

Parole

Conditional release of a prisoner before their sentence ends.

Part 1 Crimes

Serious crimes like murder and robbery categorized by the FBI.

Police Patrol Purposes

Prevent crime, enforce laws, and provide visible community presence.

Plea Bargaining

Defendant agrees to plead guilty for a lesser charge.

Police Roles

Enforcing laws, preventing crime, and investigating criminal activity.

Pretrial

The phase before trial including hearings and evidence preparation.

Prisons (early American experiences/models)

Focused on punishment and deterrence with harsh conditions.

Prisons (general)

Facilities for individuals convicted of serious crimes.

Probable Cause

Reasonable belief that a crime has been committed justifying searches.

Probation

Court-ordered supervision instead of prison time.

Professional Era

Police reform focusing on efficiency and specialization.

Progressive Era

Reform period in law enforcement to reduce corruption.

Prosecutors

Attorneys representing the government in criminal cases.

Reasonable Suspicion

Belief that a person may be involved in criminal activity.

Rebuttal/Surrebuttal

Evidence presented to counter another party's case and a response to it.

Records Management Systems

Systems for organizing and managing law enforcement data.

Reentry/Reintegration

Programs to help individuals transition back to society after prison.

Regulations

Rules enforced by governmental agencies.

Robbery

Taking property through force or threat.

Routine Activities Theory

Theory that crime occurs when a motivated offender and suitable target converge.

Search and Seizure

Law enforcement's process of examining for evidence, regulated by the Fourth Amendment.

Sentencing

Judicial determination of punishment for a convicted defendant.

Seventh Amendment

Guarantees the right to a jury trial in certain civil cases.

Sheriffs

Elected officials managing law enforcement at the county level.

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees a defendant's rights to a fair and speedy trial.

Sources of Law

Origins of legal authority such as constitutions and statutes.

State Police

Law enforcement agencies responsible for state-level law enforcement.

Stop and Frisk

Police practice of detaining individuals based on reasonable suspicion.

Supreme Court

The highest court with authority to interpret laws.

Terry v. Ohio

A case establishing the police's right to stop and frisk based on suspicion.

Trial Steps and Process

Sequence of events in a trial including jury selection and verdict.

Uniform Crime Report

Annual FBI report summarizing crime data reported by law enforcement.

Venire

Group of potential jurors summoned for jury selection.

Voir Dire

The jury selection process assessing jurors' biases.

Warrantless Searches

Searches conducted without a warrant under specific circumstances.

Writ of Certiorari

Order by a higher court to review a lower court's decision.