Intro to Criminal Justice Study Guide Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the fundamental concepts, legal theories, policing eras, constitutional amendments, and systemic issues discussed in the Intro to Criminal Justice lecture.

Three main components of the criminal justice system

Law enforcement (police), courts, and corrections.

Crime control model

A model that prioritizes efficiency and public safety, favoring speed and finality in processing offenders.

Due process model

A model that prioritizes protecting individual rights and preventing wrongful convictions, even if it slows the system down.

Substantive law

Law that defines crimes and punishments, determining what is illegal.

Procedural law

Law that governs how the system enforces substantive laws, including rules for arrests, trials, and evidence.

Wedding cake model

A model showing that cases are treated differently based on seriousness and visibility, ranging from a small top tier of celebrated cases to a large bottom tier of misdemeanors.

State criminal justice system

Systems that handle the vast majority of crimes, as most crime is defined by state law.

Federal criminal justice system

A system that handles crimes that cross state lines, violate federal law, or involve federal agencies.

Classical School (Beccaria, Bentham)

Arguing that people are rational actors who weigh costs and benefits; punishment should be swift, certain, and proportionate to deter crime.

Positivist School

Arguing that crime is caused by factors outside a person’s full control, such as biological, psychological, or social factors.

Social disorganization theory

The theory that crime rates are higher in neighborhoods with weak social institutions, poverty, and instability, regardless of the residents.

Strain theory (Merton)

The theory that crime results when people cannot achieve culturally approved goals, like wealth, through legitimate means, creating pressure to use illegitimate means.

Differential association theory (Sutherland)

The theory that criminal behavior is learned through interaction with others, especially close relationships favoring law-breaking behavior.

Labeling theory

The theory that being labeled deviant or criminal by society can shape a person’s self-identity and limit opportunities, pushing them toward further crime.

Routine activities theory

The theory that crime occurs when three elements converge: a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of a capable guardian.

Actus reus

A guilty or voluntary act required for a crime.

Mens rea

A guilty mind or criminal intent required for a crime.

Four levels of mens rea

Purposely, knowingly, recklessly, and negligently.

Felony

A serious crime typically punishable by more than $1$ year in prison.

Misdemeanor

A less serious crime usually punishable by less than a year in jail or fines.

Mala in se

Crimes that are inherently wrong, such as murder and rape.

Mala prohibita

Crimes that are wrong because they are prohibited by law, such as jaywalking or some drug offenses.

Entrapment

A criminal defense arguing law enforcement induced a person to commit a crime they would not have otherwise committed.

Political era

The era of American policing from the $1840s$-$1930s$, characterized by close ties to local politics.

Reform/Professional era

The era of American policing from the $1930s$-$1970s$, with a focus on crime-fighting and professionalism.

Community Problem-Solving era

The era of American policing from the $1970s$-present, focusing on community partnerships.

Community policing

A strategy emphasizing partnerships between police and community members to proactively address crime and disorder.

Reactive policing

A policing approach that responds to crimes after they occur, such as responding to $911$ calls.

Proactive policing

A policing approach that seeks to prevent crime before it happens through activities like patrols and community engagement.

Probable cause

A reasonable belief, based on facts, that a crime has been, is being, or will be committed; the standard required for arrests and search warrants.

Reasonable suspicion

A lower standard than probable cause based on specific, articulable facts suggesting criminal activity; used to justify a Terry stop.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures and generally requires a warrant based on probable cause.

Mapp v. Ohio ($1961$)

Established the exclusionary rule applies to states, meaning evidence from an illegal search cannot be used in state court.

5th Amendment

Protects against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and guarantees due process.

Miranda v. Arizona ($1966$)

Established that suspects in custody must be informed of their rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, before interrogation.

6th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, the right to confront witnesses, and the right to legal counsel.

Gideon v. Wainwright ($1963$)

Established that states must provide an attorney to defendants in felony cases who cannot afford one.

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.

14th Amendment

Guarantees due process and equal protection under the law, applied to state governments.

Beyond a reasonable doubt

The standard of proof required in a criminal trial.

Grand jury

A jury that decides whether there is enough evidence to indict or charge someone.

Trial (petit) jury

A jury that decides the guilt or innocence of a defendant.

Plea bargain

An agreement where a defendant pleads guilty, usually to a lesser charge or for a reduced sentence, to avoid trial; used in over $90\%$ of U.S. criminal cases.

Prosecutor

The official who represents the state/government, decides whether to file charges, and presents the case against the defendant.

Defense attorney

The official who represents the accused, ensuring their rights are protected and challenging the prosecution's case.

Bail

Money or property posted to secure a defendant's release before trial to ensure they return for court dates.

Four goals of punishment

Retribution (just deserts), deterrence (general and specific), incapacitation (removing ability to offend), and rehabilitation (reforming the offender).

General deterrence

A punishment philosophy aimed at discouraging the general public from committing crime.

Specific deterrence

A punishment philosophy aimed at discouraging an individual offender from reoffending.

Probation

A sentence served in the community instead of incarceration.

Parole

Early release from prison under supervision after serving a portion of a sentence.

Jail

A facility run by local government that holds people awaiting trial or serving sentences usually under $1$ year.

Prison

A facility run by state or federal government for people convicted of longer sentences.

Recidivism

The tendency of a convicted offender to reoffend after being released.

Restorative justice

An approach focusing on repairing harm to victims and communities through mediation and offender accountability rather than just punishment.

In re Gault ($1967$)

Established that juveniles are entitled to due process rights, such as notice of charges and right to counsel, in delinquency proceedings.

Status offense

An act that is only illegal because of the offender's age, such as truancy or underage drinking.

Mass incarceration

The dramatic rise in U.S. incarceration rates since the $1970s$, giving the U.S. one of the highest rates in the world.

School-to-prison pipeline

Policies, such as zero-tolerance discipline, that push students—especially minority and disabled students—out of schools and into the justice system.