Chapter 1 Flashcards
actions that violate law, defined by society
crime
trad. accepted crimes, wrong in themselves or in nature [homicide, sexual assault]
mala in se
prohibited by law, some disagree in harmfulness [gambling, prostitution, drug possession]
mala prohibita
upholding society’s interest in fair/just matter [punish those who violate the law]
doing justice
identify, prosecute, convict, & punish offenders in fair/legal manner
controlling crime
fair, equitable, & lawful prosecutions & punishments [serve as example to society]
preventing crime
enacting/enforcing policies based on factual, science-driven data: leads to policy success [indiv./personal police report]
evidence-based practices
power divided between national & state gov.
federalism
prosecutes violations in federal law [army, coin money, treaties]
federal gov.
prosecute violations of state law [all other powers, police]
state/local gov.
crimes beyond state borders [crime syndicates, terrorism, drug trafficking, internet crimes against children]
federal involvement
complex whole made up of interdependent agencies, each contribute to syst. function (relies on/affects others) [police, prosecutor’s office, courts, corrections]
system
mutual transfer/utilization of resources; need to gain cooperation from each agency
exchange
accused/defendant admits guilty to crime in exchange for a reduced sentence/reduction in charges
plea bargain
official authority to make decisions using own judgment
discretion
agencies depend on other agencies for funding
resource dependence
decisions made in specific order
sequential tasks
screening process that gradually exits people out of system
filtering
keep the peace, apprehend violators, prevent crime, provide social services
police
each state = own courts, federal system = own courts
dual-court system
determine guilt or innocence of a defendant [fair procedure = just, reliable decisions]
adjudication
state & federal prisons, jails, probation, parole
corrections
13 steps decision-making process
investigation, arrest, booking, charging, initial appearance, prelim. hearing/grand jury, indictment/info., arraignment, trial, sentencing, appeal, corrections, release
different treatment between groups, (age, gender, race) can result from fair or unfair practices
disparity
group is treated differently because of age, gender, or race; unfair practices
discrimination
police investigate allegation of a crime being committed
investigation [1]
due to sufficient evidence (probable cause), offender is taken into custody
arrest [2]
offender taken to a jail; photographed & fingerprinted
booking [3]
prosecutor decides if case will be adjudicated
charging [4]
defendant brought before judge, formally notified of charges, advised of rights, judge decides if there is enough evidence to proceed
initial appearance [5]
prosecutor prepares formal charging doc. & presents it to court
indictment/info. [7]
judge: oversees trial, ensures all rights are protected
bench trial: judge determines guilt or innocence
jury trial: jury determines guilt or innocence
trial [9]
judge decides if there is probable cause, grand jury decides whether there is enough evidence to file an indictment
prelim. hearing/grand jury [6]
defendant is read info./indictment, defendant pleads guilty/not guilty, plea bargain can be agreed upon
arraignmemt [8]
judge imposes punishment [prison, probation, suspended sentence, fine]
sentencing [10]
higher court may review case, new trial if violation found
appeal [11]
carry out judge’s sentence: probation, prison
corrections [12]
completed imposed sentence, parole
release [13]
allows convicted to serve their sentence not in custody
probation
custodial separation from society
prison
released early from custodial sentence & allowed to serve rest of sentence not in custody
parole
