Law Enforcement in a Democratic Society

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from the lecture on law enforcement.

USA PATRIOT Act

Legislation passed after 9/11 aimed at enhancing national security and law enforcement powers.

Homeland Security Act of 2002

Established the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate efforts to prevent terrorism.

Socialization

The process by which individuals learn and adopt the norms, rules, and customs of their community.

Discretion

The freedom of police officers to make decisions based on their judgment rather than fixed rules.

Crime Control Model

A model of criminal justice that emphasizes public safety and the suppression of crime, often prioritizing efficiency over individual rights.

Due Process Model

A framework that emphasizes protecting individual rights and ensuring fair treatment through the justice system.

Linkage Blindness

The inability to analyze and link critical information across different agencies.

Informal Social Control

Unofficial mechanisms of social regulation through families, peers, and community norms.

Probable Cause

The reasonable belief that a crime has been committed, necessary for making an arrest or conducting a search.

Grand Jury

A group of citizens convened to hear evidence and determine whether there is enough evidence for a trial.

Plea Bargain

An agreement in criminal cases where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence.

Community Corrections

Alternative sanctions such as probation and community service that allow offenders to remain in the community.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The principal federal investigative agency responsible for national security and law enforcement.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

A federal agency tasked with investigating and enforcing laws against drug trafficking and abuse.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

A federal agency focused on the regulation of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

A U.S. federal agency responsible for safeguarding the country from threats and coordinating national response efforts.

Tribal Police

Law enforcement agencies that operate on Native American reservations and have jurisdiction over tribal affairs.

U.S. Marshals Service

The enforcement arm of the federal courts responsible for managing and transporting federal prisoners.

Sheriff’s Office

The primary law enforcement agency at the county level, often responsible for patrol and law enforcement duties.

Procedural Justice

The idea that the processes by which decisions are made should be fair and transparent.

Social Control

Mechanisms, strategies, and institutions that shape individual behavior and maintain societal norms.