Exam 1 Study Guide Flashcards
When did the crime rate in US begin to decline?
1992
When did the crime rate in US begin to level off?
2000
Public believes crime rate is going up to this day. T/F
True
Define the 1st def of crime
type of behavior, defined as illegal by legislation
Define the 2nd def of crime
What is defined as criminal “relative.” What is defined as criminal is likely to change across time. (This also changes across states
What is defined as crime depends on the _____, (i.e. history), _____ (i.e. culture), and ______ (e.g. the state) [e.g. 50 states] that the behavior is found in.
time, history, and place
Even in a society with no crime there will always be deviance. T/F
True
If there is no law against something then it is not a crime T/F
True
What gives people something to point at and say “don’t be like that!”
Deviance
Define the Consensus Model Perspective
) Suggests that the laws represent our beliefs + agreements about what is right and what is wrong. Suggests we have ideal system. (Everyone treated equally)
Define the Conflict Model Perspective
Law represents the interests of the powerful! Enforced selectively on the powerlist. Perspective focuses on power and the criminal.
Define Violent Crime
: Here you have a person as a perpetrator and an individual (and their’ person) as the victim.
Are violent crimes more serious than property crimes? If so, then why?
Yes, because its dealing with an actual victim.
What is goal in a property crime?
Economic gain
Index I Crimes in UCR are more serious than Index II Crimes. T/F
True
List all violent crimes in UCR in order from most serious to least serious.
Criminal Homicide, Rape, Robbery, Aggravated Assault
Define Criminal Homicide
Willful killing of one individual by another without legal justification
Define Rape
(Carnal Knowledge - knowledge of body) use of force or threat of use of force, usually male is perpetrator, female is victim. More violent and serious offense in the eyes of the officer
Define Robbery
Threat from a person, stealing from a body (not place)
Define Aggravated Assault
Unlawful attack by one person on another. Attempts with a weapon are included.
You are less likely to be victimized by someone you know rather by someone you don’t know. T/F
False, you are more likely to be victimized by someone you know rather than don’t
What percent of crimes committed in Index I are property crimes?
90%
List all the property crimes in Index I of UCR.
Burglary, Motor Vehicle Theft, Larceny, Arson
Define Burglary
Unlawful entry of a building or structure with the intent to commit a felony.
Define Motor Vehicle Theft
Attempts or stealing of a vehicle
Define Larceny
Items being stolen (ex. bikes, computers)
Define Arson
Destruction with the use of fire
Which property crime accounts for 60% of all crimes in Index I?
Larceny
Larceny is one of the most common crimes committed according to the UCR. T/F
True
A crime is ______ when someone has been arrested, charged, and turned over to the Courts for prosecution.
cleared
Define Public Order Crime
Behaviors that are labeled criminal because they run contrary to shared norms and/or values. Linked to consensus model
Define Mala Prohibita
Not inherently evil (e.g. gambling, illicit drugs, prostitution…)
Define WCC (White Collared Crime)
Crime committed during the course of an occupation. (e.g. , stock manipulation, tax fraud).
Do white collared crimes create more of an impact on society than street crimes?
Yes
Define Organized Crime
Where “quasi” (organized groups of individuals) operate illegitimately to satisfy the general public’s desires (e.g. drugs, 18th Amend. - prohibited sale, distribution of alcohol)
Define High Tech Crime
Use of computers, intelligence, and/or technology for gain of some sort. (e.g. ID Theft, embezzlement/theft…, sabotage, viruses)
Define Terrorism
The use of force, or the threat of the use of force, to obtain political objectives
The purpose of the CJ System is to attain 3 goals. Name these goals.
To Control Crime, To prevent crime, to provide and maintain “justice”
Define Federalism
A form of govt. in which a written Constitution provides for a division of powers between the federal gov & 50 States (dual system)
If you violate state law you go to state court and from there a state pentitary. However, if you violate federal law you can be sentenced to any prison. T/F
True
Define Probation
a sentence that does not (typically) involve confinement (minor form of corrections)
Is probation the most common form of punishment for a crime?
Yes
When one commits a felony they go to ____. However, when one commits a misdemeanor that person goes to ______.
Prison, jail
When going to jail typically that person is only sentenced for ______. However, when going to prison that person is typically sentenced for _______.
less than 1 year, more than 1 year
Define Parole
Early release from prison. (Like probation except you go to prison first and get out early on good behavior.
Chief Purposes of CJ system?
Enforce the law and keep the peace
Which state has no police/patrol function in the US?
Hawaii is the only state that has no state police/patrol function.
What was the population of jails and prisons at the end of 2010?
2.3 Million, US is number 1! First time seen a reduction from 2.4 in 30 yrs.
What percent of those charged with a felony go to trial?
Only about 5%
List the Wedding Cake model from top to bottom
Celebrity Cases, High Profile Felonies, Ordinary Felonies, Misdemeanors
Define Celebrity Cases (referring to Wedding Cake Model)
everyone hears about these cases, famous lawyers, “ideal justice” - ppl think this is what all court cases are like, when they’re not
Define High Profile Felonies (referring to Wedding Cake Model)
more formal (when media gets involved prosecutor unable to plea bargain because ppl want to see them go to trial)
Define Ordinary Felonies (referring to Wedding Cake Model)
Informally (plea bargain, make a deal)
Define Misdemeanors (reffering to Wedding Cake Model)
These are speedy cases
Define The Dark Figure of Crime
The actual amount of crime in society. The figure is considered dark or impossible to detect because a great # of crimes are never reported
For a crime to be included in UCR someone must…
Report It & Record It
What is the equation for finding crime rate?
of Index I Crimes reported divided by # of population (for that area) x 100,000
What is the equation for finding murder rate?
of murders reported divided by # of population (for that area) x 100,000
Which violent crime is measured the best?
Homicide
Why don’t people report crimes?
Fear of the offender, nothing can be done, and composition of the crime (Intra-group within same group)
Define National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)
Ask general public about victimizations. Findings: The actual amount in the US is several times higher than what the UCR suggests
At what age can a person begin to be asked questions to contribute to the NCVS?
12 and up
To be considered a delinquent if one commits a crime how old do you have to be?
17 and younger
If you commit a crime at the age of 18 and up you are labeled a criminal. No longer are your acts considered delinquent but criminal. T/F
True
What are the findings of self-report data?
Several times more crime, Just about everyone, if not everyone, has committed an offense, which (at least from a strict point of view) could have landed them in incarceration, There is virtually no class/crime or race/crime relationship, No specialization in offenses (talking about average offenders, not sex offenders)
Where is crime more likely to occur?
The West & South, higher in urban areas (cities), neighborhood phenomenon called hotspots
What percent of persons are involved with illegal drugs and alcohol at time of arrest?
60-80%
Once involved with drugs & alcohol typically drives crime & delinquency up. T/F
True
