Chapter1- Crime&Justice In USA Flashcards
DEFINE: public policy
Priorities and actions developed big government to use public resources as a means to deal with issues affecting society
DEFINE: crime
A specific act of commission or omission in violation of the law, for which a punishment is prescribed
DEFINE: evidence based practices
Policies developed through guidance from research studies that demonstrate which approaches are most useful and cost effective for advancing desired goals
DEFINE: crime control model
A model of the criminal justice system that assumes freedom is so important that EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO REPRESS CRIME; emphasizes speed, efficiency, finality, and the capacity to apprehend, try, convict, and dispose of a high proportion of offenders
DEFINE: due process model
A model of the CJ system that assumes freedom is so important that EVERY EFFORT MUST BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT CRIMINAL JUSTICE DECISIONS ARE BASED ON RELIABLE INFO; it emphasizes the adversarial process, the rights of defendants, and formal decision making procedures
DEFINE: “mala in se”
Offenses that are wrong by their very nature (ex murder, rape, theft)
DEFINE: “mala prohibita”
Offenses prohibited by law but not wrong in themselves (but are illegal because they seem morally wrong…ex being in possession of marijuana, prostitution, gambling)
DEFINE: felony
Serious crimes usually carrying a penalty of incarceration for more than one year OR the death penalty
Class Y felony
10 to 40 years, up to life imprisonment or the death penalty
$15,000 fine
Class A felony
6 to 30 years
$15,000 fine
Class B felony
5 to 20 years
$10,000 fine
Class C felony
3 to 10 years
$10,000 fine
Class D felony
<1 to 6 years
$10,000 fine
DEFINE: misdemeanor
Offenses less serious that felonies and usually punishable by incarceration of no more than one year, probation, or intermediate sanctions
Class A misdemeanor
< or up to 1 year
$1,000 fine
Class B misdemeanor
< or up to 90 days
$500 fine
Class C misdemeanor
< or up to 30 days
$100 fine
DEFINE: visible crime
An offense against persons or property that is committed primarily by members of the “lower social classes”. Often referred to as “street crime”
What are the 3 categories of VISIBLE CRIME?
Violent crime
Property crime
Public Order crime
DEFINE: violent crimes
Crimes against people in which force is employed to rob, produce physical injury, or cause death
DEFINE: property crime
Crimes in which property is damaged or stolen
DEFINE: public order crime
Acts such as public drunkenness and disorderly conduct, that threaten society’s well being and make citizens fearful
DEFINE: victimless crimes
Offenses involving a willing ad private exchange of illegal goods or services that are in strong demand. Participants do not feel they are being harmed but these crimes are prosecuted on the ground that society as whole is being harmed
DEFINE: political crime
An act, usually done for ideological purposes, that constitutes a threat against the state (such as treason, sedition, or espionage) or a criminal act by a state
DEFINE: occupational crime
A criminal offense committed through opportunities created in a legal business or occupation
What are the 4 types of occupational crimes?
1) occupational crimes for the benefit of the employing organizations (ex price fixing, theft of trade secrets, falsification of product tests)
2) occupational crimes through the exercise of government authority. The offender has the power to enforce laws or command others to do so. (ex removal of drugs from an evidence room by the police, acceptance of a bribe by a gov. official, falsification of a document by a notary public)
3) occupational crimes committed by professionals in their capacity as professionals. Doctors, lawyers, ect may take advantage of their clients. (Ex doc illegally dispensing drugs, insider stock trading info)
4) occupational crimes committed by individuals as individuals, where opportunities are not based on government power or professional position. (Ex thefts by employees from employers, filing false expense claims, embezzlement)
DEFINE: organized crime
A framework for the perpetration of criminal acts- usually in fields such as gambling, drugs, and prostitution- providing illegal services that are in great demand
DEFINE: crime syndicate
A group that has an organizational structure, rules, a division of labor, and the capacity for ruthless violence and corrupting law enforcement, Labor and business leaders, and politicians
DEFINE: money laundering
Moving the proceeds of criminal activities through a maze of businesses, banks, and brokerage accounts in order to disguise their origin
DEFINE: transnational crime
Profit seeking criminal activities that involve planning, execution, or victimization that crosses national borders
DEFINE: international crimes
Acts of terrorism, genocide, human rights abuses, or other crimes against humanity that violate international law
What are the 3 categories of transnational crimes?
1) provision of illegal goods. (Ex drug trafficking and moving stolen property from one country to another, includes transportation and sale of counterfeit goods)
2) provision of illegal services. (Ex human trafficking and transporting sex workers or undocumented immigrants into a country. Also includes Various cyber crimes that involve fraudulent financial investments AS WELL AS child pornography.)
3) infiltration of business or government. (Ex bribery, extortion, and money laundering)
DEFINE: cyber crimes
Offenses that involve the use of one or more computers
DEFINE: identity theft
The theft of social security numbers, credit card numbers, and other information in order to secure loans, withdraw bank funds, and purchase merchandise while posing as someone else. The unsuspecting victim will eventually lose money in these transactions
