Final Exam Prep Part 1

Question 1

Consensus Model

Answer 1

when a majority of citizens share same morals, values and beliefs regarding right and wrong

Question 2

conflict model

Answer 2

holds that the definition of what’s “criminal” is determined by groups that hold economic, social and political power

Question 3

Deviance

Answer 3

behavior that contradicts societal norms

Question 4

What is crime ?

Answer 4

Crime is an ACT that is punishable by law

Question 5

“mala in se” crimes

Answer 5

evil crimes ( ex: murder)

Question 6

“mala prohibitum” crimes

Answer 6

normal crimes ( Ex: public intoxication)

Question 7

Violent crime

Answer 7

aggravated assault, rape, murder, robbery

makes up the violent crime index (2-3% of all crime)

Question 8

Property crime

Answer 8

motor vehicle theft, burglary, theft, arson

Together, violent crime and property crime make up the crime index (11-13% of all crime)

Question 9

Public order crimes

Answer 9

Alcohol/drug offenses, prostitution, pornography

hardest to regulate

Question 10

white collar crimes

Answer 10

illegal acts committed by groups/individuals to gain personal or business advantage (embezzlement, tax evasion)

Question 11

Organized crime

Answer 11

a conspiratorial group engaged in the market for illegal goods/services

Question 12

Goals of the criminal justice system

Answer 12

control crime
prevent crime
provide/maintain justice

Question 13

strategies used to reach the goals of crime

Answer 13

Deterrence
rehabilitation
incapacitation
retribution

Question 14

Federalism

Answer 14

a form of government in which a constitution provides for a division of powers between a central government and several regional governments

Question 15

Due to federalism, the criminal justice system can be broken into what 3 levels?

Answer 15

Law enforcement, The courts and Corrections

Question 16

Court system

Answer 16

Dual court system
1 federal court
50 state courts
Trial courts determine guilt or innocence
Appellate courts determine if due process was followed

Question 17

Incarceration

Answer 17

jail=shorter sentences
prison = longer sentences
parole is most common form of release from prison

Question 18

sanctions

Answer 18

some type of penalty imposed by “others”

Question 19

formal sanctions

Answer 19

penalties expressed by law (police, courts , agents of government )

Question 20

informal sanctions

Answer 20

penalties that arrive from sources rather than police of official agents of government (family, boss etc)

Question 21

crime control model of justice

Answer 21

places emphasis on the right of society to be protected from crime and violence

Question 22

due process model of justice

Answer 22

places emphasis on the right to be protected by the power of the government

Question 23

choice theory

Answer 23

people are rational and make decisions by weighing benefits of crime vs. it’s consequences (hedonistic calculus)

Question 24

Trait theories

Answer 24

suggest certain biological or psychological traits n individuals inline them towards criminal behavior

Question 25

environmental/structural theories

Answer 25

focus on environmental characteristics that make crime more likely in certain areas

Question 26

social disorganization theory

Answer 26

states deviant behavior is more likely to occur in communities where social institutions fail to exert control over a population

Question 27

felonies

Answer 27

serious crimes punishable by death or imprisonment > 1 year

Question 28

misdemeanor

Answer 28

less serious crimes, punishable by fine or jail < 1 year

Question 29

violation

Answer 29

least serious crime, punishable only by fine

Question 30

uniform crime reports

Answer 30

most common form of official data used in crime analysis good at looking at crime over time good for CERTAIN FORMS of crime

Question 31

dark figure of crime

Answer 31

crime that goes unreported

Question 32

substantive criminal law

Answer 32

the branch of law that defines crimes and their punishments

Question 33

procedural criminal law

Answer 33

the branch of law which sets out the rules of practice in the criminal justice system

Question 34

constitutional law

Answer 34

involves the interpretation of law to be consistent with the constitution. Strikes down any laws that are (1) against a person's right to be treated fairly/equally, (2) is too vague or overbroad or (3) is overly cruel

Question 35

statutory law

Answer 35

addresses statutes federal - passed by congress state - passed by state ordinances - passed by cities

Question 36

case law

Answer 36

law that originates from the way a judge interprets a particular statute.

Question 37

stare decisis

Answer 37

court decisions that have interpreted a statute in the past are called precedents, serving as a guide towards ruling

Question 38

elements of a crime

Answer 38

actus reus - the guilty act of committing a crime mens rea - the guilty intent these must be concurrent of each other

Question 39

excuse defenses

Answer 39

ignorance (rarely accepted), insanity (M'naughten Rule), intoxication, age