Chapter 1 Flashcards
What are the three definitions of crime?
Legal, social norms and social constructionist approach
Legal definition of crime
Crime is that behaviour prohibited by the Criminal Code
Social norm definition of crime
Crime is that behaviour that violates social norms
Social constructionist definition of crime
Crime is that behaviour so defined by the agents and activities of the powerful
What is legitimacy?
Legitimacy refers to the public’s agreement with and support of the actions of the police, courts, and corrections. It is rooted in procedural justice.
What are perceptions of legitimacy based on?
Participation, neutrality, trustworthiness of authorities, treatment with dignity and respect.
What are the goals of the due process model of the criminal justice system? (Packer)
- fairness, equality and justice
- obstacle course
- legal guilt
- protection from the powers of the state
- search for the truth
What are the goals of the crime control model of the criminal justice system? (Packer)
- efficient, “assembly line” justice
- factual guilt
- public safety
- punish offenders
- high rate of conviction
What are the goals of the medical model of the criminal justice system? (King)
- needs of the offender
- treatment of the offender
- discretion of judges
- expertise of treatment personnel
- community reintegration
What are the goals of the bureaucratic model of criminal justice? (King)
- management of criminals
- speed of case processing
- efficiency of the system
- management of resources
- administrative discretion
What are the goals of the punitive model of criminal justice?
- roller coaster
- factual guilt
- victim’s rights
- victim focus throughout the system
- greater punishment
What are the goals of the non-punitive model of the criminal justice system? (Roach)
- healing, cooperation and restoration
- victim’s needs
- reduction of harm
- non-adversarial emphasis
- reduced involvement of criminal justice actors.
What is the informal organization of the criminal justice system, “wedding cake model”?
Tiers of the system decrease in size as the severity of the cases increases.
- Celebrated Cases
- Most Serious
- Less Serious
- Lesser crimes
Define bargain justice
Different from legal justice. Where the accused is encouraged to plead guilty in return for a reduced sentence, or the dropping of a number of charges.
Define assembly line justice
Defendants line up to enter the courtroom, only to have their cases summarily dispatched. Defendants in these cases rarely contest their cases before a judge.
