Crime and Criminal Justice Vocabulary

A set of 25 vocabulary flashcards covering essential terms related to crime and the criminal justice system.

Juvenile delinquency

Crime committed by young people, typically under the age of legal adulthood.

Repeat offender (Habitual offender)

A person who continues to commit crimes even after being punished for previous offenses.

Criminal justice system

The network of courts, law-enforcement bodies, and legal procedures responsible for upholding the law and delivering justice.

Crime rate escalation (Surge in crime)

An increase in the frequency or severity of criminal activities within a given area or period.

Petty crimes

Minor, non-violent offenses such as shoplifting, vandalism, or jaywalking.

White-collar crime

Non-violent, financially motivated crime committed by professionals or officials, often involving fraud or embezzlement.

Violent crime (Serious offense)

Crimes that involve force or the threat of force, including assault, robbery, and homicide.

Law enforcement agencies

Organizations, such as police departments or federal investigative bodies, tasked with enforcing laws and maintaining public order.

Capital punishment

The death penalty; a legal sentence that results in the execution of the convicted individual.

Rehabilitation programs

Initiatives designed to reform offenders and help them reintegrate into society rather than simply punishing them.

Deterrent effect

The discouraging impact of potential punishment on people who might otherwise commit crimes.

Community policing

A strategy that fosters collaboration between police officers and community members to prevent and solve crime.

Organized crime

Criminal activity carried out by structured groups, such as gangs or mafias, often spanning multiple illicit enterprises.

Prison overcrowding

A situation in which the number of inmates exceeds a correctional facility’s intended capacity.

Criminal record

An official, documented history of a person’s past criminal convictions and legal infractions.

Cybercrime

Illegal activities conducted through computers or the internet, including hacking, phishing, and online fraud.

Crime prevention strategies

Policies or actions designed to reduce or deter criminal behavior before it occurs.

Sentence (legal term)

The punishment or penalty imposed by a court on a person found guilty of a crime.

Recidivism rate

The proportion of previously convicted individuals who reoffend after their release or conviction.

Anti-social behavior

Actions that harm society or violate the rights of others, often precursors to more serious crimes.

Law-abiding citizens

Individuals who consistently follow laws and regulations within their society.

Lenient punishment

A relatively mild or light penalty given for a criminal offense.

Socioeconomic factors

Social and economic conditions—such as income, education, and employment—that influence individual behaviors, including criminal activity.

Victimless crime

An offense in which no specific individual appears to be directly harmed, such as drug use or illegal gambling.

Criminal prosecution

The legal process of charging someone with a crime and bringing the case before a court for adjudication.