Criminal Justice System Basics

These flashcards encompass key concepts and terminology related to the criminal justice system, jurisdictions, and correctional facilities.

Limited Jurisdiction

Courts that have authority to hear specific types of cases, often misdemeanors.

Specialized Courts

Courts that focus on specific types of criminal acts like drug offenses or mental health issues.

General Jurisdiction

Courts that can hear a wide range of cases, including felonies.

US District Court

Trial courts in the federal system, handling federal law violations.

US Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States, serving as the final appellate body.

Misdemeanors

Less serious criminal offenses, such as traffic violations.

Felony

Serious criminal offenses like murder or robbery.

Trial Courts

Courts where cases are first heard and evidence is presented.

Writ of Certiorari

An order requesting the lower court records for review.

Rule of 4

A Supreme Court practice requiring four justices to agree to hear a case.

Judiciary

The judicial authorities of a country, responsible for administering justice.

Judge

The senior officer in a court who makes decisions on cases.

The Missouri Plan

A method for selecting judges that combines appointment and election.

Arbitration

A dispute resolution process involving a neutral third party.

Prosecutor

A legal representative who brings cases against defendants on behalf of the state.

Public Defender

A lawyer appointed to represent defendants who cannot afford private counsel.

Defense Attorney

A lawyer representing a defendant in a criminal case, ensures the right to counsel.

Assigned Counsel

A private attorney appointed to represent defendants who cannot afford a lawyer.

Jail

A facility designed to hold pretrial detainees and those serving short sentences.

Corporal Punishment

Physical punishment as a form of legal penalty.

The Walnut Street Jail

The first jail built in America, established in Philadelphia.

The Auburn System

A prison design where inmates worked and ate in groups under strict silence.

Congregate System

Prison design allowing group activities while enforcing silence.

Contract System

A system where private businesses lease prisoners for labor.

Convict Lease System

A practice wherein prisoners are leased out to private businesses for labor.

Prison Reform

Efforts aimed at improving prison conditions and rehabilitating inmates.

Maximum Security Prison

Facilities designed to house the most dangerous felons with strict security.

Super-Maximum Security Prison

Prisons with the highest level of security, housing the most dangerous criminals.

Medium-Security Prison

Less secure institutions for nonviolent offenders, offering more outside contact.

Minimum Security Prison

Least secure institutions, housing nonviolent and white-collar offenders.

Prison Farms and Camps

Correctional facilities mostly located in agricultural areas.

Shock Incarceration

A short-term correctional program using military-style training for rehabilitation.

Continuous Observation

Monitoring inmates both directly and indirectly for safety and security.

Indeterminate Sentence

A prison sentence that does not have a fixed duration.

Parole

The conditional release of a prisoner before the completion of their sentence.