CRJ MIDTERM

Exam Structure

• Total Questions: 20

  • Multiple Choice: 16

  • Short Answers: 4 (Focus on brief yet informative responses)

• Time Allotted: 60 minutes (Plenty of time to complete)

• Extra Credit Opportunities:

  • Some short-answer questions include a chance for half a point of extra credit for providing examples along with answers.

• Important Note: Once you start the exam, you must finish it consecutively without interruption.

Legal Concepts Covered

• Probable Cause:

  • Highest level of proof required to obtain a warrant.

  • Requires reasonable tips or evidence, not assumptions.

  • Example: If an arms dealer is known to order specific parts from overseas, this justifies looking for those parts.

• Fifth Amendment (Right to Due Process):

  • Protects the accused from self-incrimination; individuals do not have to testify against themselves.

  • Prosecution cannot question a defendant about new evidence that hasn’t been introduced in prior testimony.

  • Due Process: Ensures fair legal proceedings and equal protection under the law.

  • Prohibits being tried for the same crime twice (double jeopardy), with exceptions such as mistrials or deadlocked juries.

• Sixth Amendment Guarantees:

  • Right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury of peers.

  • Enshrines equal protection under the law for anyone born or naturalized in the U.S.

  • Ensures that no one is deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process.

• Special Crimes:

  • Crimes against vulnerable groups like the elderly, cybercrimes, hate crimes, and terrorism are often classified as special crimes.

  • Hate Crimes: Motivated by bias based on race, religion, gender, etc.

  • Gun Crimes: Includes illegal possession, manufacturing, and sales of firearms.

  • International Context Crimes: Human trafficking, smuggling (e.g., exotic animals).

Case Law and Legislation

• Case Law:

  • Comprises rules and regulations defining crimes and applicable punishments.

  • Example crimes include murder, robbery, DUI, etc.

• Legislatively Enacted Laws:

  • Examples include drinking age, controlled substances regulation, HIPAA, and anti-discrimination laws.

Civil Law Context

• Civil Court Issues:

  • Disputes such as family court, contract issues, wills, and alimony.

  • Tax laws, health codes, vehicle registration regulations fall under administrative law governed by state and local authorities.

Search and Seizure Principles

• Plain View Doctrine:

  • Items visible to an officer in plain view can be seized without a warrant.

  • Example: If an officer sees illegal substances in clear sight during a lawful traffic stop, they can seize that evidence.

Deterrence Types

• Specific Deterrence:

  • Measures aimed to prevent the individual offender from reoffending (e.g., breathalyzer installations post-DUI conviction).

• General Deterrence:

  • Strategies that discourage crime in the overall population (e.g., the death penalty as a measure to deter crime in society).

Conclusion

• Prepare for the exam by reviewing these concepts, focusing on the interactions between amendments, legal definitions, and special crime categories.

• Make sure to understand the due process rights, implications of self-incrimination, and how case law operates within the justice system.