Criminology Words/Terminology Flashcards
Figure out the different words/terminology and their meanings in the criminal justice field.
Appeal
A legal process that allows a defendant to challenge a conviction or sentence made by a trial court
Arraignment
A court proceeding where a defendant is formally informed of the charges against them and enters a plea
Burden of proof
The standard proof that the prosecution must meet in a criminal trial to establish that a defendant is guilty of a crime
Crime
An action or omission that constitutes an offense may be prosecuted by the state and is punishable by law
Assault
A crime that involves causing physical harm or putting someone in fear of physical harm
Conviction
A legal judgement that a criminal defendant is guilty of a crime
Accused
A person or persons formally charged or implicated in wrongdoing but not yet convicted of a crime
Bench Trial
A criminal trial where a judge acts as both the fact-finder and law-giver, making the final decision on the defendant’s guilt or innocence without a jury
Felony
A serious crime, such as murder or arson
Parole
The conditional release of prisoners before the full completion of their sentence
Counsel
To provide legal advice or guidance to someone on specific subject matter
Law
The collection of rules imposed by authority
Statutory Law
The body of laws created by legislative statutes
Penal Code
The legal code governing crimes and their punishment
Case Law
A law established by following earlier judicial decisions
Common Law
A law established by following earlier judicial decisions
Rule of Law
A state of order in which events conform to the law
Jurisprudence
The branch of philosophy concerned with the law
Criminal Law
The body of law dealing with offenses and their punishment
Civil Law
The legal code of Ancient Rome
Tort
A wrongdoing for which an action for damages may be brought
Administrative Law
The body of rules and regulations and orders and decisions created by administrative agencies of government
Precedent
An example that is used to justify similar occurrences
Misdemeanor
A crime less serious than a felony
Offense
A failure to show regard for others
Infraction
A violation of a law or rule
Treason
A crime that undermines the offender’s government
Espionage
The systematic use of spies to obtain secrets
Actus Reus
Activity that transgresses moral or civil law
Mens Rea
Criminal intent
Criminal negligence
(law) recklessly acting without reasonable caution and putting another person at risk of injury or death (or failing to do something with the same consequences)
Motive
the reason that arouses action toward a desired goal
Concurrence
The property of two things happening at the same time
Ex post facto
Affecting things past
Elements
Violent or severe weather
Corpus delicti
The body of evidence that constitute the offense
Islamic Law
The code of religious law derived from the Quran
Tazir Crime
Minor crimes committed by Muslims
Defense
The act of guarding someone or something against attack
Alibi
Proof that someone accused of a crime could not have done it
Justification
The act of defending or explaining by reasoning
Excuse
A defense of some offensive behavior
Self-defense
The act of defending yourself
Entrapment
Missing
Double Jeopardy
Prosecution of the same crime twice
Substantive
Having a firm basis in reality and therefore important
Inchoate
Only party in existence; imperfectly formed
Culpable
Deserving blame or censure as being wrong or injurious
Collateral
Accompanying; following as a consequence
Estoppel
A rule of evidence whereby a person is barred from denying the truth of a fact that has already been settled
Vagrancy
The state of wandering from place to place
Conspiracy
A plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act
Negligent
Characterized by undue lack of attention or concern
Mitigate
Lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
Lewd
Suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
Lascivious
Driven by lust
Duress
Compulsory force or threat
Fraud
Intentional deception resulting in injury to another person
Conflagration
A very intense and uncontrolled fire
Inducement
A positive motivational influence
Incompetent
Not qualified or suited for a purpose
Arson
The crime of intentionally setting fire to buildings and other property
