Chapter 8 Flashcards
Criminal Procedure
The process by which criminals are accused, tried, and sentenced.
Criminal Law
Prohibits and punishes conduct that threatens public safety and welfare
Restitution
A court order that a guilty defendant reimburse the victim for the harm suffered
Felony
A serious crime, for which a defendant can spend one or more years in prison
Misdemeanor
A less serious crime, often punishable by less than a year in a county jail
Mens Rea
State of mine (mentally knowing whats going on)
Actus Reus
Act, have to act on it and commit to it.
4th Amendment
protects over illegal searches and seizures need to have a warrant to search and have to have probable cause
Searches without a warrant
- Plain view- see something in the open
- Stop and frisk
- Emergencies
- Automobile- lawfully stop a car and see evidence pertaining to other crimes
- Lawful arrest- search a suspect if arrested
- Consent-allow a search
Voluntary act
A defendant is not guilty of a crime if she was forced to commit it. In other words she is not guilty if she acted under duress
Entrapment
When the government induces the defendant to break the law, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was predisposed to commit the crime
Exclusionary Rule
Evidence obtained illegally may NOT be used in trial
5th amendment
Protects criminal defendants- both the innocent and guilty. Due Process requires fundamental fairness at all stages of the case
Larceny
Is the trespassing and taking of personal property with the intent to steal it without the owner knowing
Fraud
The deception of another person for the purpose of obtaining money or property
Embezzlement
Having lawful possession and putting the money elsewhere. (usually for themselves)
Burglary
Breaking into someones property and stealing something
R.I.C.O
Rackater Influenced and corrupt organization- go after the mafia and illegal activity.
Money Laundering
Pay for criminal acts, promote crime or attempting to conceal the source of the money
Inevitable Discovery
Permits the use of evidence that would inevitably have been discovered even without the illegal search
Grand Jury
A group of ordinary citizens that decide whether there is probable cause the defendant committed the crime with which she is charged
Indictment
The governments formal charge that the defendant has committed a crime and must stand trial
Plea Bargain
An agreement in which the defendant pleads guilty to a reduced charge, and the prosecution recommends to the judge a relatively lenient sentence
8th Amendment
Prohibits cruel and unusual punishment