crime and public policy exam 1

Separations of powers

gov split into three branches — legislative (makes laws), executive (enforces laws), and judicial (interprets laws), so no one branch becomes too powerful

Federalism

power is shared between national (federal) government and state governments, so both levels have their own responsibilities

 What are the problems with the media’s depiction of crime?

• Disproportionate coverage compared to official data 

• Explanations simplistic and individualistic 

• Overemphasis on violent crimes 

• Fear of crime

Executive Order 14074 (Biden)

Made police use safer rules, no chokeholds, more body cameras.

 Describe the policy process

Agenda setting (find an issue), policy formulation (create strategy to address problem), policy adaptation (formally make a solution), policy implementation (making the policy work), policy evaluation (see if the policy addresses problem) 

Who sets the policy agenda?

Businesses, media, interest groups, politicians

rules of politics

Once policy is adopted it stays, mostly local, gov always overworked, policies that give immediate benefits often pass, planning in gov happens after crisis, media never focuses on what’s going well

Executive Order 13491 (Obama)

Stopped torture during interrogations

 How does the media help shape criminal justice policy?

influencing what issues the public and politicians focus on, shaping opinions, and pressuring lawmakers to act

 What communities shape policy?

• Elected stakeholders (president) 

• Federal (Congress) 

• State (State governors, state legislature) 

• Local levels of governments (City mayors, city councils)

Elitist model

dominated by small, male,in cities

Populist model

governments consult ordinary people

 What are best practices? What are they motivated by?

• Making decisions based on facts and research

•  improve performance, meet standards, ensure professionalism, and provide effective, accountable, and well-guided services

What are the 6 C’s of policy options?

• Concentration 

• Clarity 

• Challenge 

• Changeability 

• Coordination 

• Consistency 

How does a bill become a law?

when it’s proposed, discussed and voted on by Congress, and then approved and signed by the President

How does an Amendment come to be?

added when two-thirds of Congress proposes it and three-fourths of the states approve it

1st amendment

Protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition

2nd amendment

Gives the right to own guns

4th amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures

5th amendment

You get fair treatment, can stay silent, and can’t be tried twice for the same crime

6th amendment

Guarantees a fair, speedy trial with a lawyer and a jury

8th amendment

Stops cruel and unusual punishment and excessive fines.

14th amendment

Gives citizenship to everyone born in the U.S. and equal protection under the law

How can police use of deadly force be reduced?

better training, body cameras, clear rules, and stronger accountability

What is a police officer's working personality? What is it characterized by?

the attitude and behavior they develop on the job, shaped by danger, authority, and constant stress

 critical decision making model

helps police slow down, think, and make safer choices in tough or high-pressure situations

Would a focus on hiring more police cut down on prison expenses?

More police can mean more arrests, which could raise, not lower, prison costs

How does methamphetamine fit in with the racial construction of drug scares?

linked in the media to white, rural, or working-class users

 How did NY Rockefeller drug laws transform criminal justice?

Mandatory minimum sentences for drug users and sellers, 15 years to life with no parole

Schedule I

Highest abuse risk, no medical use (ex: marijuana)

Schedule 2

 use but high abuse risk (ex: opioids).

Schedule 3

Moderate abuse risk

Schedule 4

Low abuse risk

Schedule 5

Lowest abuse risk, small amounts of narcotics (ex: cough meds)

. Should drugs be decriminalized?

Decriminalizing drugs means not punishing users (but trafficking stays illegal). It could save money, reduce crime, and improve health, but might also increase use and risk for youth

 Should marijuana be moved to a different drug schedule?

Yes, because marijuana has medical uses and doesn’t fit Schedule I’s “no medical value” rule

Should marijuana be decriminalized federally?

Yes, since criminal penalties for use haven’t reduced abuse and decriminalization could save money and reduce arrests

 What was the impact of the War on Drugs? What are some problems with the War on Drugs?

increased prison rates, hurt minority communities, and failed to reduce drug use or crime.

What was the impact of Portugal’s drug policy changes since 2001?

Portugal’s decriminalization led to lower drug use, fewer health problems, and more people getting treatment.

1906 Pure Food and Drug Act

Required labels to list ingredients and made sure drugs were pure and safe

1914 Harrison Act

Controlled and taxed the making, selling, and use of cocaine and opiates.

1919 Volstead Act (Prohibition)

Banned making, selling, and drinking alcohol in the U.S

1937 Marijuana Tax Act

Put a heavy tax on marijuana, making it basically illegal to sell or use

1970 Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act

Created the drug schedules and set rules for controlling and classifying drugs

1988 Anti-Drug Abuse Act

Set harsh penalties and mandatory sentences for drug crimes to fight the “War on Drugs.

1990 Crime Control Act

Gave more money to law enforcement, drug-free school zones, and tougher penalties for dealers

 1996 Comprehensive Methamphetamine Act

Limited chemicals used to make meth and increased punishments for trafficking it

 What three elements are needed to determine causation?

• A and B are connected.

• A happens before B.

• The connection is real, not just by chance

Explain the purposes of Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. What are the benefits of the act? Is there a downside to the act?

lets local police help federal agents enforce immigration laws; it helps find undocumented immigrants but can also lead to racial profiling

 Why is the legislation in Arizona, concerning Senate Bill 1070, considered controversial?

allows police to check people’s immigration status, which can lead to discrimination; as an officer

California’s approach to immigration

limits police cooperation with ICE to protect immigrants’ s rights

Arizonas approach to immigration

Gives police more power to enforce immigration laws

Reasonable suspicion

lets police briefly stop and question someone

probable cause

reasonable grounds (for making a search, pressing a charges) stronger and needed for arrest

Terry v. Ohio

allowed “stop and frisk” if officers suspect danger

What is the correlation between immigration and crime?

Research shows immigration doesn’t increase crime and often lowers it

What crime/victimization concerns are there with respect to immigration?

Immigrants may fear reporting crimes because of deportation, making them easier targets for abuse or exploitation