Criminal Justice System Flashcards
(42 cards)
What is the criminal justice system?
A collection of federal, state, and local public agencies that deal with the crime problem.
What are the three main parts of the criminal justice system?
- Law Enforcement
- Courts
- Corrections
What is the role of law enforcement in the criminal justice system?
Investigate a crime and gather evidence to identify and use against the presumed perpetrator.
What does the court system do?
Weighs the evidence to determine if the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
What is the purpose of the corrections system?
Use incarceration and probation to punish and correct the behavior of the offender.
List the main processes in the criminal justice system.
- Investigation
- Proceedings Before Trial
- Trial
- Sentencing and Corrections
What is racial profiling?
The inappropriate use of race, ethnicity, national origin, or religion as a factor in identifying people who may break or have broken the law.
What are some negative aspects of racial profiling?
- Can be unconstitutional violation of equal protection
- Reinforces racial stereotypes
- Creates negative relations between police and citizens
True or False: It is appropriate for an officer to stop a person solely because of their race.
False
What constitutes police brutality?
Excessive force greater than what a reasonable and prudent law enforcement officer would use.
What percentage of men test positively for drugs when arrested?
Between 50 and 80 percent.
What is the estimated number of youth prosecuted and incarcerated in the adult system annually?
200,000 youth under age 18.
What is the high incarceration rate in the U.S.?
2 million people incarcerated and almost 7 million under supervision.
How many women are physically assaulted by an intimate partner each year?
About 1.3 million.
What is ‘Three Strikes’ legislation?
A system where a person convicted three times is sentenced to life in prison.
What are mandatory minimum sentences?
Statutes requiring judges to impose a specified minimum prison term for a specific crime.
What is the purpose of bail?
To assure the court that the defendant will return for trial.
What is an arrest warrant?
A court order commanding that the person named in it be taken into custody.
Define ‘booking’ in the criminal justice context.
The formal process of making a police record of an arrest.
What happens during an initial appearance?
A suspect appears before a judge, who explains rights and charges and sets bail.
What is a charge?
A formal accusation of a crime.
What is a grand jury?
A group of 16 to 23 people determining if there is sufficient cause for a trial.
What is the 5th Amendment’s requirement regarding grand juries?
There must be a grand jury indictment before anyone can be tried for a serious crime in federal court.
What is ‘arraignment’?
A court session at which a defendant is charged and enters a plea.
