CRJ 101 EXAM 1

CHAPTERS 1-3

An overview of criminal justice system

-sense of history

-three basic goals of criminal justice system

A respond to crime (react)

B Prevent crime (proactive)- DARE program

C Justice (fairness)

1 for BOTH victim and accused

2equality

-sentencing ratio of100:1

-5 year sentence for possession with intent to sell:

-cocaine 500 grams

-crack 5 grams

3 Balancing conflicting goals

A two models : crime control vs due process

Represent two value systems that compete for priority in the operation

B crime control

1 repression of criminal conduct is the most important function of CJ system

A failure leads to breakdown of social order and reduced freedoms (chaos)

B CJ system is a provider of freedom

2 operation of the system desire for efficiency

A speed and finality of process

Informal

Uniform

Finality = reduce challenges to system

B example: confession

C system is like an assembly line

3 role of gov actors

A honest and ethical

B accurate

C need freedom to repress crime efficiency

4 system operates according to the presumption of guilt

A confident in the reliability of the informal system

B fundamental confidence in criminal justice actors

5 two proffered outcome

A exoneration of suspect (early in the process)

B guilty plea

Due process

1 primary concern :accuracy

A emphasis's on fact finding

B recognizes the possibility of error (questions reliability )

C distrusts accuracy of CJ workers

D presumption of innocence

2 additional claims or concerns :

A even without conviction the process is punitive

B unequal opportunity for defendants

C possibility of a tyranny

D skeptical about morality and utility of criminal sanctions

Is punishment a moral good?

Does punishment benefit offender, victim,& society?