Chapter One Flashcards
Criminology
the scientific study of the nature, extent, cause, and control of criminal behavior
valid measure
measure that actually measures what it purports to; a measure that is factual
reliable measures
produces consistent results from one measurement to another
victim-precipitated homicide
killings in which the victim is a direct, positive precipitator of the incident
white-collar crime
illegal acts that capitalizes on a person’s status in the marketplace
Ex. of white-collar crime
fraud, embezzlement, market manipulation
penology
a subarea of criminology that focuses on the correction and control of criminal offenders
rehabilitation
treatment aimed at preventing future criminal behavior
mandatory sentences
statutory requirement that a certain
penalty shall be carried out in convictions for a specific or series of offenses
capital punishment
the execution of criminal offenders; the death penalty
recidivism
relapse into criminal behavior after apprehension, conviction, and correction for previous crimes
victimology
the study of a victim’s role in criminal events
classical criminology
theoretical perspective suggesting people choose to commit crime and that crime can be controlled if potential criminals fear punishment
positivism
branch of social science that suggests human nature and behavior is a product of social, biological, psychological, or economic forces that can be empirically measured
sociological criminology
focuses on the relationship between social factors and crime; based off of Emile Durkheims work
anomie
a lack or confusion of norms of clear social standards
Chicago School
the group of urban sociologists who have studied the relationship between environmental conditions and crime
socialization
process of human development and enculturation, it is influenced by key social processes and institutions
conflict theory
view that human behavior is shaped by interpersonal conflict and those who maintain social power will use it to further their own needs
critical criminology
the view that crime is a product of the capitalist system
rational choice theory
view that crime is a function of a decision-making process in which the would-be offender weighs the potential costs and benefits of an illegal act
trait theory
view that criminality is a product of abnormal biological or psychological traits
social structure theory
view that disadvantaged economic class position is a primary cause of crime
social process theory
view that criminality is a function of people’s interactions with various organizations, institutions, and processes in society
critical criminologists
they examine how those who hold political or economic power shape the law to uphold their self-interests
deviant behavior
actions that depart from social norms, whether criminal or harmless abertrations
crime
an act, deemed socially harmful or dangerous, that is specifically defined as prohibited and punished under the criminal law
decriminalized
having criminal penalties reduced rather than eliminated
consensus view
belief that the majority of citizens in a society share common values and agree on what behaviors should be defined as criminal
criminal law
the written code that defines crimes and their punishments
conflict view
the belief that criminal behavior is defined by those in power to protect and advance their own self interests
interactionist view
belief that those with social power are able to impose their values on society as a whole; these values then define criminal behavior
Code of Hammurabi
oldest written criminal code ca. 1750 BCE
Mosaic Code
the written laws on the Ancient Israelites
precedent
a rule derived from previous judicial rulings and applied to future cases: the basis of common law
common law
early English law, it is the basis of US criminal law
statutory crimes
defined by legislative bodies in response to changing social conditions, public opinion, and customs
felony
serious offense that carries a penalty of imprisonment, usually one year or more, and may entail loss of political rights
misdemeanor
a minor crime usually punished with a short jail time and/or a fine
criminal justice
system made up of the agencies of social control, such as police departments, courts, and correctional institutions that handle criminal offenders
criminal justice system
the agencies of government that are responsible for apprehending, adjudicating, sanctioning, and treating criminal offenders
arrest
the taking into police custody of an individual suspected of a crime
probable cause
a set of facts, information, circumstances, or conditions that would lead a reasonable person to believe an offense was committed by the accused. It is the level of proof needed to make a legal arrest
booking
fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of a suspect in police custody
interrogation
the questioning of a suspect in police custody
nolle prosequi
a declaration that expresses the prosecutors decision to drop a case from further prosecution
information
a filing before an impartial lower-court judge who decides whether the case should go forward
indictment
a written accusation returned by a grand jury charging an individual with a specified crime, based on the prosecutors demonstration of probable cause
grand jury
group of citizens chosen to hear testimony in secret and to issue formal criminal accusations
preliminary hearing
an impartial lower-court judge decides of the probable cause is sufficient for trial
arraignment
the accused is brought before the trial judge, where formal charges are read, defendants are informed of their rights, bail is considered, and a trial date is set
bail
a money bond intended to ensure the accused will stand trial
recognizance
pledge by the accused to return for trial, which might be accepted in lieu of bail
plea bargain
agreement between prosecution and defense in which the accused pleads guilty for a sentence reduction, more lenient sentence, or another consideration
hung jury
a jury that is unable to agree on a decision thus leaving the case unresolved and open for a possible retrial
appeal
taking a criminal case to a higher court on the grounds that the defendant was found guilty because of legal error or violation of his/her constitutional rights
Miller V. Alabama
ruled that juveniles are not fully capable of anticipating consequences for their actions; unconstitutional for them to receive a life sentence without parole
Glossip V. Gross
displayed a significant likelihood of a wrongful conviction in death penalty cases due to intense pressure from the community
