Criminal Justice Review

Crime: An act that violates the law and is punishable by the government.

Criminal Justice System: A system consisting of law enforcement, courts, and corrections designed to enforce criminal laws.

Criminal Law: Laws that define crimes and set penalties for committing them.

Deviance: Behavior that violates societal norms but may not necessarily be illegal.

Felony: A serious crime punishable by imprisonment for more than a year or death.

Misdemeanor: A less serious offense, usually punishable by less than a year in jail or a fine.

Due Process: The legal requirement that a state must respect all legal rights owed to a person.

Probable Cause: Reasonable grounds for making a search, pressing a charge, or making an arrest.

Arrest: The legal act of taking a person into custody, typically based on probable cause.

Bail: Money or property given to secure the release of a defendant to ensure their appearance in court.

Probation: A court-imposed sanction that allows a convicted person to serve their sentence in the community under supervision.

Parole: The release of a prisoner before the end of their sentence, with conditions and supervision.

Miranda Rights: Rights of a person in custody, including the right to remain silent and to an attorney.

Exclusionary Rule: A legal principle that prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in a court trial.

Jury: A group of citizens chosen to hear evidence and determine the outcome of a case.

Trial: A formal legal proceeding in which a defendant is tried before a judge or jury.

Sentencing: The determination of the punishment for a convicted defendant.

Restorative Justice: A criminal justice approach focused on repairing harm caused by crime through dialogue between victim and offender.

Recidivism: The tendency of previously convicted criminals to relapse into criminal behavior.

White-Collar Crime: Nonviolent crime committed by people in their professional lives for financial gain.

Community Policing: A strategy that focuses on building positive relationships between law enforcement and the community.

Double Jeopardy: The legal principle that a person cannot be tried twice for the same offense.

Prosecutor: A lawyer who represents the state or government in a criminal case.

Public Defender: A lawyer provided by the government to defend a person who cannot afford private counsel.

Victimology: The study of victims, including their role in the criminal justice system and their psychological impact.

Capital Punishment: The execution of a person convicted of a crime, usually murder, by the state.

Police Discretion: The power of police officers to make decisions based on their judgment in different situations.

Habeas Corpus: A legal action or writ requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge.

Misdemeanor: A minor criminal offense typically punishable by less than a year in jail.

Due Process Model: A model that emphasizes fairness and individual rights in the criminal justice process.

Crime Control Model: A model that focuses on the efficient detection, apprehension, and punishment of criminals.

Victim Impact Statement: A statement given by the victim or victim’s family about the impact of the crime.

Search Warrant: A legal document authorizing the police to search a specific place for evidence.

Self-Incrimination: The act of implicating oneself in a crime, protected against by the Fifth Amendment.

Unlawful Search: A search conducted without a warrant or without probable cause, violating the Fourth Amendment.

Indictment: A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime.

Arraignment: The first court appearance where a defendant is formally charged and pleads guilty or not guilty.

Exculpatory Evidence: Evidence that may exonerate a defendant from guilt.

Incarceration: The state of being confined in prison or jail as a punishment for a crime.

Plea Bargain: An agreement in which a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence.

Alibi: A defense used by a defendant claiming they were somewhere else when the crime was committed.

Corporal Punishment: Physical punishment, such as caning or flogging, used as a form of discipline or deterrence.

Juvenile Delinquency: Participation in illegal behavior by minors.

Gang Violence: Criminal activities committed by members of an organized group or gang.

Asset Forfeiture: The seizure of assets by the government in connection with criminal activity.

Terrorism: The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, typically against civilians, to achieve political aims.

Cybercrime: Criminal activities that involve computers or networks, such as hacking or identity theft.

Statutory Law: Written laws passed by a legislature.

Common Law: Law derived from judicial decisions instead of statutes.

Strict Liability: A legal doctrine where a defendant is held liable for committing an action, regardless of intent or mental state.

Gun Control: Laws regulating the possession, use, and sale of firearms.

Civil Rights: The rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

Police Brutality: The use of excessive force by police officers in their interactions with the public.

Racial Profiling: The discriminatory practice of targeting individuals based on their race or ethnicity.

Classical Criminology: A theory of crime that assumes individuals have free will and make rational decisions.

Positivist Criminology: A theory of crime that believes crime is caused by biological, psychological, or social factors.

Organized Crime: Criminal activities conducted by criminal organizations, such as the Mafia.

Deterrence Theory: A theory that suggests the threat of punishment can prevent crime.

Bureaucratic Model: A model of criminal justice that focuses on efficiency and following established procedures.

Retribution: A punishment philosophy based on the belief that offenders should be punished for their crimes.

Rehabilitation: The process of reforming criminals so that they can re-enter society as law-abiding citizens.

Innocence Project: An organization that works to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals.

Prison Overcrowding: The condition in which prisons are filled beyond their capacity.

Civil Forfeiture: The seizure of property by the government without criminal charges.

Arrest Warrant: A legal document that authorizes law enforcement to make an arrest.

Mental Illness Defense: A defense in which the defendant argues they were not responsible for a crime due to mental illness.

Victimless Crime: A crime in which the offender and victim are the same person, such as drug use.

Hate Crime: A crime motivated by prejudice or bias against a particular group.

False Imprisonment: The unlawful restraint of a person’s freedom of movement.

Bail Bondsman: A person or company that provides bail for a defendant.

Domestic Violence: Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse between intimate partners.

Innocent Until Proven Guilty: A legal principle stating that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Strict Liability Crimes: Crimes that do not require proof of criminal intent.

Fifth Amendment: The amendment protecting individuals from self-incrimination and double jeopardy.

Fourth Amendment: The amendment protecting individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures.

Sixth Amendment: The amendment guaranteeing the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury.

Eighth Amendment: The amendment that prohibits excessive bail and cruel or unusual punishment.

Nolo Contendere: A plea where the defendant does not admit guilt but accepts punishment.

Armed Robbery: The act of taking property from someone by force or threat of force with a weapon.

Bribery: Offering, giving, or receiving something of value in exchange for influence.

Criminal Justice Policy: Guidelines and principles that influence the functioning of the criminal justice system.

Cyberbullying: The use of technology to harass or intimidate others.

Extradition: The process of transferring a person from one jurisdiction to another to face criminal charges.

Prison Industrial Complex: The relationship between the prison system and private corporations involved in prisons.

Murder: The unlawful killing of another person with intent or malice.

Assault: The intentional threat or use of force on another person.

Burglary: The unlawful entry into a building with the intent to commit a crime.

Robbery: Stealing from a person through force or threat of violence.

Vandalism: The intentional destruction or defacement of property.

Tax Evasion: The illegal act of not paying taxes owed.

Public Order Crimes: Crimes that disrupt public peace and safety, such as public drunkenness.

Restitution: The repayment of victims by offenders for damages caused.

Sexual Assault: Any form of sexual activity without consent.

Stalking: Repeated and unwanted surveillance or harassment of another person.

Identity Theft: The fraudulent use of someone else's identity for financial gain.

Manslaughter: The unlawful killing of another person without premeditation or intent.

Arson: The intentional setting of fires to destroy property.

Conspiracy: An agreement between two or more individuals to commit a crime.

Unlawful Entry: The act of entering a property without permission.

Public Safety: The protection of citizens from crime and harm through law enforcement and emergency services.

30 Questions with Answers:

What is the definition of a felony?

A serious crime, typically punishable by imprisonment for more than a year or by death.

What does "probable cause" mean?

Reasonable grounds for making a search, pressing a charge, or making an arrest.

What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?

A misdemeanor is a less serious offense, while a felony is a serious crime punishable by long-term imprisonment or death.

What rights are included in the Miranda rights?

The right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.

What is the "exclusionary rule"?

It prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in court.

What is the function of a prosecutor?

A prosecutor represents the government in bringing criminal charges against a defendant.

What is probation?

A court-imposed sentence that allows a convicted person to serve their sentence in the community under supervision.

What is the difference between probation and parole?

Probation is a sentence served in the community, while parole is the release of a prisoner before their sentence ends.

What is "restorative justice"?

A justice model focusing on repairing harm caused by crime through dialogue between the victim, offender, and community.

What is recidivism?

The tendency of previous offenders to re-offend or relapse into criminal behavior.

What is "capital punishment"?

The state-sanctioned execution of an individual convicted of a serious crime, such as murder.

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

The police enforce laws, prevent crime, investigate criminal activity, and apprehend offenders.

What is a plea bargain?

A negotiation where a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced sentence.

What is a "search warrant"?

A legal document that gives the police authority to search a specified location.

What is "habeas corpus"?

A legal principle requiring that a person be brought before a court to determine the legality of their detention.

What does the Sixth Amendment guarantee?

The right to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, and the assistance of counsel.

What is the function of a public defender?

A lawyer appointed by the court to represent individuals who cannot afford to hire a private lawyer.

What is "double jeopardy"?

The principle that a person cannot be tried twice for the same offense.

What is the difference between burglary and robbery?

Burglary is the unlawful entry into a property, while robbery involves taking property through force or threat.

What is "cyber crime"?

Criminal activities that involve computers or digital networks.

What is a "victimless crime"?

A crime where the victim and the perpetrator are the same, such as drug use.

What is "white-collar crime"?

Nonviolent crime typically committed for financial gain in business or professional settings.

What is "gang violence"?

Criminal activities committed by organized criminal groups or gangs.

What is "asset forfeiture"?

The seizure of property by the government due to criminal involvement.

What is "juvenile delinquency"?

Participation in illegal activities by minors.

What is "strict liability"?

A legal doctrine where a defendant can be held liable for an offense regardless of intent.

What is "corporal punishment"?

Physical punishment, such as