Crime and Punishment in the United States

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to crime and punishment, as discussed in the lecture notes.

Statutes

Written laws enacted by legislative bodies.

Incarceration Rate

The number of individuals in prison per population unit.

Deterrence Hypothesis

The theory that an increase in penalties will lead to a decrease in crime.

Expected Punishment

The combination of punishment severity and its certainty, influencing crime commission.

Recidivism

The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.

Economic Theory of Crime

A framework that evaluates criminal behavior in relation to economic principles.

Cohort Size Effect

The impact on crime rates associated with the size of a demographic group.

Cohort Quality Effect

The idea that the characteristics of a demographic group can influence crime rates.

Mandatory Sentencing

Laws that establish fixed penalties for specific offenses.

Day-Fine System

Fines adjusted according to the offender's income level.