VOCAB Flashcards
any circumstances accompanying the commission of a crime that may justify a harsher sentence
aggravating circumstances
the use of the death penalty to punish wrongdoers for certain crimes
capital punishment
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
departure
a period of incarceration that is fixed by a sentencing authority and cannot be reduced by judges or other corrections officials
determinate sentencing
the strategy of preventing crime through the threat of punishment
deterrence
a reduction of the time served by prisoners based on good behavior, conformity to rules, and other positive behavior
“good time”
statutes that require lengthy prison sentences for those who are convicted of multiple felonies
habitual offender laws
a strategy for preventing crime by detaining wrongdoers in prison, thereby separating them from the community and reducing criminal opportunities
incarceration
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
indeterminate sentencing
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
just deserts
statutorily determined punishments that must be applied to those who are convicted of specific crimes
mandatory sentencing guidelines
any circumstances accompanying the commission of a crime that may justify a lighter sentence
mitigating circumstances
an investigative report on an offenders background that assists a judge in determining the proper sentence
presentence investigative report
the actual offense committed, as opposed to the charge levied by a prosecutor as the result of a plea bargain
real offense
the philosophy that society is best served when wrongdoers are provided the resources needed to eliminate criminality from their behavioral pattern
rehabilitation
monetary compensation for damages done to the victim by the offenders criminal act
restitution
an approach to punishment designed to repair the harm done to the victim and the community by the offenders criminal act
restorative justice
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
retribution
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
sentencing discrimination
a situation in which those convicted of similar crimes do not receive similar sentences
sentencing disparity
legislatively determined guidelines that judges are required to follow when sentencing those convicted of specific crimes. these guidelines limit judicial direction
sentencing guidelines
legislative attempts to ensure that convicts will serve approximately the terms to which they were initially sentenced
truth-in-sentencing laws
a statement to the sentencing body in which the victim is given the opportunity to describe how the crime has affected him/her
victim impact statement
