The Court

Courtroom Workgroup

A group of individuals from different sides in the criminal justice system working collaboratively.

Prosecutor

The most powerful person in the criminal justice system who makes charging decisions.

Prosecutorial Discretion

The authority of prosecutors to decide whether to bring charges against a suspect.

The Defense

Legal representatives who are beholden to the defendant and obligated to provide a zealous defense.

Gideon v. Wainwright

Landmark Supreme Court case affirming the right to counsel for defendants.

Adversarial Justice

A legal system where two sides present their cases, with the judge as the finder of law and the jury as the finder of fact.

Burden of Proof

The obligation to prove one's assertion in a legal case.

Brady Rule

Mandates that exculpatory evidence must be disclosed by the prosecution.

Protection from Self-Incrimination

The right granted by the 5th Amendment, allowing individuals to refuse to testify against themselves.

Miranda v. Arizona

Supreme Court case that established the requirement for reading rights to defendants during arrest.

Plea Bargains

Agreements in a criminal case where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge to avoid trial.

Capital Cases

Criminal cases in which the death penalty may be imposed.

Survey Research

Research method used to gather data from participants, including women and officers of color.

Civil Lawsuits

Legal cases brought to secure a legal remedy for wrongdoing, sometimes including qualified immunity.

Court Process

The U.S. system designed to determine guilt or innocence.

Purpose of the Trial

To determine the guilt of the defendant and uphold respect for courts.

Deterrence

The theory that punishment of offenders prevents future crime.

Specific Deterrence

Punishments aimed at preventing the specific offender from committing crimes again.

General Deterrence

Punishments aimed at deterring the general public from offending.

Incapacitation

The goal of isolating offenders to protect the public from future crimes.

Rehabilitation

Efforts to reform offenders through education and treatment to reduce criminal behavior.

Martinson Report

Research that claimed many rehabilitation programs were ineffective, leading to a shift in policies.

Retributivism

A theory of justice focusing on punishment as deserved and justified.

Premodern Punishments

Historical methods of punishment including execution and humiliation.

Philadelphia

Site of the first modern penitentiary known for solitary confinement.

Auburn System

Prison system emphasizing congregate and silent incarceration practices.

Late 20th Century Criticism

Challenges to the leniency of indeterminate sentences and parole.

Mass Incarceration

The significant increase in the number of individuals imprisoned, often attributed to various social and political issues.

War on Drugs

Government-led initiatives aimed at reducing illegal drug use, contributing to mass incarceration.

Truth in Sentencing Laws

Statutes that require offenders to serve a substantial portion of their prison sentence.