Criminal Law - Chapter 5 Key Terms

Question 1

Aggravating factors

Answer 1

Facts or circumstances about an ofencer or an offene that can lead to a more severe sentence

Question 2

Community corrections order (CCO)

Answer 2

A flexible, non-custodial sanction (one that does not involve a prison sentence) that the offencer serves in the community, with conditions attached to the order

Question 3

Denunciation

Answer 3

One purpose of a sanction, designed to demonstrate the community’s disapproval of the offender’s actions

Question 4

Deterrence

Answer 4

One purpose of a sanctions, designed to discourage the offencer and others in the community from committing similar offences

Question 5

Fine

Answer 5

A sanction that requires the offender to pay an amount of money to the state

Question 6

General deterrence

Answer 6

One purpose of a sanction, designed to discourage others in the community from committing similar offences

Question 7

Guilty plea

Answer 7

When an offender formally admits guilt which is then considered by the court when sentencing

Question 8

Imprisonment

Answer 8

A sanction that involves removing the offencer from society for a stated period of time and placing them in prison

Question 9

Mitigating factors

Answer 9

Facts of circumstances about the offencer or the offence that can lead to a less-severe sentence

Question 10

Protection

Answer 10

One purpose of a sanction, designed to safeguad the community from an offender by preventing them from committing a futher offence (e.g. by imprisoning the offencer)

Question 11

Punishment

Answer 11

One purpose of a sanction, designed to penalise (punish) the offender and show society and the victim that criminal behaviour will not be tolerated

Question 12

Rehabilitation

Answer 12

One purpose of a sanction, designed to reform an offencer in order to prevent them from committing offences in the future

Question 13

Sanction

Answer 13

A penalty (e.g. a fine or prison sentence) imposed by a court on a person guilty of a criminal offence

Question 14

Specific deterrence

Answer 14

One purpose of a sanction, designed to discourage the offence from committing further offences

Question 15

Victim impact statement

Answer 15

A statement filed with the court by a victim that is considered by the court when sentencing. It contains particulars of an injury, loss or damage suffered by the new victim as a result of the offence