intro to criminal justice final exam

What is the difference between crime and deviance?

Crime is an action that is prohibited by law, while deviance is behavior that is considered inappropriate or bad but may not be legally punishable.

What are the two main classifications of crime?

Mala in se, which refers to acts that are inherently evil (e.g., murder, robbery), and mala prohibita, which refers to acts that are not inherently bad but are still criminalized (e.g., underage drinking, speeding).

Who is Cesare Beccaria and what did he contribute to criminal justice?

Cesare Beccaria is a founder of the classical school of criminology, emphasizing that crime results from individuals weighing the costs and benefits of their actions.

What does the Positivist school of thought suggest about criminal behavior?

The Positivist school suggests that behaviors are determined by external factors, implying that individuals do not exercise complete free will.

What are the four main philosophies of punishment in criminal justice?

Retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation, and incapacitation.

What is the goal of retribution in criminal justice?

Retribution seeks to punish criminals because they have violated the law, reflecting an 'eye for an eye' philosophy.

What are specific and general deterrence?

Specific deterrence aims to deter a particular offender from committing future crimes, while general deterrence aims to prevent crime by showing potential offenders the consequences faced by punished individuals.

What is the role of incapacitation in the criminal justice system?

Incapacitation aims to segregate offenders from society to protect the public and reduce the opportunity for further criminal acts.

What is the Crime Control Model?

The Crime Control Model advocates for the efficient processing of offenders to suppress crime and maintain social order.

What is the Due Process Model?

The Due Process Model emphasizes the protection of individual rights and ensures that government actions do not violate those rights.

What is the 'dark figure of crime'?

The dark figure of crime refers to the total number of unreported crimes.

What is the difference between official statistics and self-report statistics?

Official statistics are gathered from police reports and criminal justice agencies, while self-report statistics are collected by asking individuals about their own criminal behavior.

What is recidivism?

Recidivism refers to the tendency of a convicted criminal to re-offend or commit new crimes after being processed by the criminal justice system.

What is 'probation'?

Probation is a court-imposed sanction that allows offenders to remain in the community under specified conditions rather than serving time in prison.

What are the principles of substantive criminal law?

Substantive law defines rights and duties and specifies what constitutes criminal conduct and the penalties associated with it.

What is 'actus reus' and 'mens rea'?

Actus reus refers to the physical act of committing a crime, while mens rea refers to the intent or mental state behind the crime.

What is the exclusionary rule?

The exclusionary rule prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in a court of law.

What does the term 'due process' imply in criminal justice?

Due process ensures that legal proceedings are conducted fairly and that individuals' rights are protected throughout these proceedings.

What are 'habeas corpus' rights?

Habeas corpus rights protect individuals from unlawful or indefinite imprisonment.

What is community policing?

Community policing is an approach that emphasizes collaboration between law enforcement and communities to address public safety issues.

What is the difference between civil law and criminal law?

Civil law deals with private disputes between individuals, while criminal law involves cases where the government prosecutes individuals for violating laws.

What is the principle of legality?

The principle of legality specifies that no one can be punished under the law unless it is clearly defined as a crime beforehand.

What is the focus of restorative justice?

Restorative justice focuses on repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior through cooperative actions involving victims, offenders, and the community.

What is the significance of the Bill of Rights in the context of criminal justice?

The Bill of Rights outlines fundamental rights and freedoms that protect individuals against government overreach in criminal proceedings.

What does 'net widening' refer to in the context of criminal justice?

Net widening refers to the expansion of the criminal justice system's control, introducing less restrictive sanctions that paradoxically lead to increased involvement in the system.

What is the significance of specialized courts in the criminal justice system?

Specialized courts address specific types of offenders or issues, such as drug-related offenses, and aim to provide tailored interventions that might reduce recidivism.