VOCAB

Question 1

any circumstances accompanying the commission of a crime that may justify a harsher sentence

Answer 1

aggravating circumstances

Question 2

the use of the death penalty to punish wrongdoers for certain crimes

Answer 2

capital punishment

Question 3

a stipulation in many federal and state sentencing guidelines that allow a judge to adjust his or her own sentencing based on the special circumstances of a particular case

Answer 3

departure

Question 4

a period of incarceration that is fixed by a sentencing authority and cannot be reduced by judges or other corrections officials

Answer 4

determinate sentencing

Question 5

the strategy of preventing crime through the threat of punishment

Answer 5

deterrence

Question 6

a reduction of the time served by prisoners based on good behavior, conformity to rules, and other positive behavior

Answer 6

“good time”

Question 7

statutes that require lengthy prison sentences for those who are convicted of multiple felonies

Answer 7

habitual offender laws

Question 8

a strategy for preventing crime by detaining wrongdoers in prison, thereby separating them from the community and reducing criminal opportunities

Answer 8

incarceration

Question 9

an indeterminate term of incarceration in which the judge determines the minimum and maximum terms of imprisonment. when the minimum term is reached, the prisoner becomes eligible for parole

Answer 9

indeterminate sentencing

Question 10

a philosophy based on the assertion that criminals be punished for breaking the law. the severity should be determined only by the severity of the crime

Answer 10

just deserts

Question 11

statutorily determined punishments that must be applied to those who are convicted of specific crimes

Answer 11

mandatory sentencing guidelines

Question 12

any circumstances accompanying the commission of a crime that may justify a lighter sentence

Answer 12

mitigating circumstances

Question 13

an investigative report on an offenders background that assists a judge in determining the proper sentence

Answer 13

presentence investigative report

Question 14

the actual offense committed, as opposed to the charge levied by a prosecutor as the result of a plea bargain

Answer 14

real offense

Question 15

the philosophy that society is best served when wrongdoers are provided the resources needed to eliminate criminality from their behavioral pattern

Answer 15

rehabilitation

Question 16

monetary compensation for damages done to the victim by the offenders criminal act

Answer 16

restitution

Question 17

an approach to punishment designed to repair the harm done to the victim and the community by the offenders criminal act

Answer 17

restorative justice

Question 18

the philosophy that those who commit criminal acts should be punished based on the severity of the crime and that no other factors be considered

Answer 18

retribution

Question 19

a situation in which the length of a sentence appears to be influenced by a defendant race, gender, economic status, or other factors not directly related to the crime he or she committed

Answer 19

sentencing discrimination

Question 20

a situation in which those convicted of similar crimes do not receive similar sentences

Answer 20

sentencing disparity

Question 21

legislatively determined guidelines that judges are required to follow when sentencing those convicted of specific crimes. these guidelines limit judicial direction

Answer 21

sentencing guidelines

Question 22

legislative attempts to ensure that convicts will serve approximately the terms to which they were initially sentenced

Answer 22

truth-in-sentencing laws

Question 23

a statement to the sentencing body in which the victim is given the opportunity to describe how the crime has affected him/her

Answer 23

victim impact statement