Unit 1 Study Guide: Gov & Crim Justice Flashcards
Study all of these terms as soon as possible!
Define and Explain “Mala en Se”
- Actions that are evil in themselves
- conduct or actions that are inherently wrong by nature, usually involving violence toward another person
- they violate the moral, public, or natural principles of a society
- actions that offend society and cause lasting damage to the society
3 Examples of “Mala en Se” Crimes
Murder, Rape, Robbery
Define and Explain “Mala Prohibitum”
- wrong because it is prohibited / actions that are wrong simply because there are laws that prohibit them
- actions that are not immoral by nature, but are banned or regulated for the good of the community
- Certain things need to happen for a society to run peacefully and smoothly, and to accomplish this rule, regulations and laws are passed and enforced
3 Examples of “Mala Prohibitum” Crimes
Fraud, Money Laundering, Prostitution
List the different Levels of Government in the United States and two examples of Law Enforcement Agencies within each Level of Government
- Federal: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
- State: California Highway Patrol (CHP), Bureau of Firearms
- County/Local: Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), San Francisco Police Department (SFPD)
If you’re arrested, you shouldn’t answer the cops’ questions, but it’s okay to make small talk with them about sports, politics, etc.
- FALSE, “Anything you say can and will be held against you in a court of law” (5th Amendment)
You’re required to carry identification with you at all times and show it to the police upon request.
- FALSE, only for certain privileges such as when driving, buying alcohol, flying in an airplane, in a club/bar, etc.
It doesn’t matter what you say to your arresting officers, as long as you don’t sign anything.
- FALSE, though if you “sign on it”, it can affect the creditibility of the case
If you ask an undercover officer, “Are you a cop?” it’s legal for them to lie and say, “No, I’m not a cop.”
- TRUE, LEOS sometimes need to go undercover to protect us in certain circumstances
If you’re arrested and you admit to the police what you’ve done wrong, you’ll usually get a better deal in court.
- FALSE, LEOs don’t have anything to do with sentencing after a conviction
If the police fail to read you your rights when they arrest you, you’ll almost always win your case.
FALSE, it is inadmissible in court. There are also many ways for collecting evidence beside from confessions, like eyewitness accounts and physical evidence.
If you chose to remain silent after you were arrested, the prosecutor can’t argue to the jury that this is evidence of guilt.
TRUE, you are simply exercising the rights that are handed to you as an American through the United States Constitution
If an officer asks to see what’s in your pockets or backpack, and you say “No,” the officer can use your refusal as an excuse to search.
FALSE, you are simply exercising the rights that are handed to you as an American through the United States Constitution.
If you’re arrested, but you’re truly innocent, you should ask to see a lawyer and then remain silent.
TRUE, you should exercise your rights and also play it safe (don’t assume all police officers are trustworthy!)
Once you’ve said, “I take the Fifth,” to your arresting officer, nothing else you say can be used against you in court.
FALSE, the 5th Amendment isn’t magical and the moment you speak after stating that you will remain silent, you give up that right
