CJ101 Module 1 - The Nature of Crime, Law, and Criminal Justice

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on crime, law, and criminal justice, providing definitions and explanations for essential terms.

Criminal Justice System

The system of law enforcement, court, and correctional facilities involved in the recognition, prosecution, and follow-through of those charged with criminal offenses.

Criminal Justice Process

The process from the initial investigation to the eventual release of the offender and their re-entry into society.

Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA)

An agency that provided technical assistance and funding to local and state justice agencies from 1969 to 1982.

Evidence-Based Justice

The concept of assessing whether criminal justice programs effectively reduce crime rates and repeat offenses.

Social Control

The regulation of individual behavior by social and institutional forces.

Contemporary Criminal Justice Agencies

Political organizations structured within the legislative, judicial, and executive branches that dispense justice.

In-Presence Requirement

A requirement for an officer to have personally witnessed a misdemeanor to make an arrest.

Nolle Prosequi

The decision by a prosecutor to drop a case after it has been formally filed.

Grand Jury

A jury that investigates alleged crimes, examines evidence, and issues indictments.

True Bill of Indictment

A written statement by a grand jury charging a defendant with a crime.

Information

A charging document filed by the prosecution for a preliminary hearing.

Probable Cause Hearing

A preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to bring a case to trial.

Courtroom Work Group

A group made up of legal professionals who work together to expedite the justice process.

Decriminalization

The process of reducing the penalty for a criminal act without legalizing it.

Legalization

The removal of all criminal penalties from a previously outlawed act.

Deinstitutionalization

The policy of minimizing incarceration by treating offenders in the community.

Pretrial Diversion

Community-based alternatives to jail or prison for offenders.

Widening the Net of Justice

Programs intended to divert offenders which may instead impose more intrusive treatment.

Crime Control Perspective

The view that the justice system's primary purpose is to deter crime through punishment.

Rehabilitation Perspective

The belief that the justice system should treat criminals as victims to help them reintegrate.

Due Process Perspective

The belief that every individual deserves fair treatment and protection of their rights.

Nonintervention Perspective

The idea that less involvement of the justice system in a person’s life is better.

Equal Justice Perspective

The view that individuals should receive equal treatment for equal crimes.

Restorative Justice Perspective

The belief that the justice system should focus on rehabilitation and reintegration.

Consensus View of Crime

The view that crime is defined by societal consensus on harmful behaviors.

Conflict View of Crime

The view that the ruling class defines crime to control less powerful members of society.

Interactionist View of Crime

The view that crime reflects changing moral values dictated by those with social power.

Moral Entrepreneurs

Individuals with influence who try to shape criminal law based on their morals.

Uniform Crime Reports (UCR)

Annual crime statistics compiled by the FBI.

Part I Crimes

The eight most common serious crimes reported in the UCR.

Murder and Nonnegligent Manslaughter

The willful killing of one human being by another.

Forcible Rape

Non-consensual penetration of a victim in any form.

Robbery

The taking of value from a person through force or threat.

Aggravated Assault

An unlawful attack with the intention to inflict severe injury.

Burglary

Breaking into a structure to commit a felony or theft.

Larceny

Unlawfully taking someone else's property.

Motor Vehicle Theft

The theft of a vehicle.

Arson

Willful burning of property.

Part II Crimes

All other crimes not classified as Part I.

National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)

A program requiring police to report detailed accounts of crimes.

National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)

A nationwide survey estimating the frequency of criminal victimization.

Self-Report Surveys

Surveys asking participants about their own criminal behaviors.

Racial Profiling

Police targeting of individuals based on their race.

Chronic Offender

A juvenile arrested five or more times before 18, likely to become an adult criminal.

General Deterrence

The idea that crime rates decrease when people fear punishment.

Social Learning Theory

The theory that criminal behavior is learned through interactions.

Antisocial Personality

Individuals prone to criminal behavior, lacking empathy or responsibility.

Social Conflict Theory

The view that behavior is shaped by social conflicts and power dynamics.

Substantive Criminal Law

The branch of law defining crimes and their punishments.

Criminal Procedure

The laws governing the operation of criminal proceedings.

Common Law

Early law created by judges based on custom and precedent.

Felony

A serious crime punishable by imprisonment for over one year.

Misdemeanor

A less severe crime punishable by less than one year in jail.

Actus Reus

The physical act of committing a crime.

Mens Rea

The mental intent to commit a crime.

Insanity Defense

Claiming a mental defect prevents forming criminal intent.

Self-Defense

Claiming justification for actions taken to protect oneself.

Exclusionary Rule

Evidence obtained in violation of rights cannot be used in court.