Current Topics in Criminology & Criminal Justice

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts from the introduction to criminology and criminal justice, providing definitions and explanations relevant to the course material.

Criminology

The study of crime and deviance, including criminals and victims of crimes.

Criminal Justice

A set of institutions, policies, and practices designed to enforce laws and maintain public order.

Due Process

Prioritization of legal rights of all individuals during legal proceedings.

Fairness

The principle that everyone should be treated equally before the law.

Accountability

The obligation to hold parties responsible for their actions, including offenders and CJS agents.

Rehabilitation

The process of reforming offenders to reduce the likelihood of re-offending.

Punishment

Imposing a penalty on individuals who commit crimes to hold them morally accountable or as a deterrent.

Prevention

Reducing the likelihood of crime by addressing its root causes and making crime less attractive.

Paradigms of Criminal Justice

Different approaches to addressing crime including prevention, punishment, and rehabilitation.

Legislation

The creation of formal rules ('laws') that define crimes and establish penalties for violations.

Law Enforcement

Institutions and personnel that investigate crimes and maintain public safety.

Legal System

Courts and related entities that adjudicate criminal cases and interpret the law.

Corrections

Institutions and practices that carry out the sentences associated with criminal convictions.

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

A document that provides guidelines for protecting individual rights within the Canadian CJS.

Classical School of Criminology

An early school of thought that focused on rational choice and deterrence.

Positivist School of Criminology

This perspective emphasizes empirical evidence and the social context of crime.

Sociological Criminology

The study of crime in relation to social structures and cultural context.

Critical Perspectives in Criminology

Approaches that challenge traditional views and consider power dynamics in the legal system.