Intro to Criminal Justice Chapters 1-2
what are the stages of the wedding cake model of justice
I- celebrated cases II- serious felonies III- less serious felonies IV- misdemeanors
how is crime measured
UCR- unified crime reports NCVS- national crime victimization study self report surveys
what factors influence the crime rate
age structure of population immigration economy/jobs abortion gun availability gang membership drug use media medical technology aggressive law enforcement tough sentences cultural change criminal opportunity
what is the equal justice perspective of justice
all people should be treated equally before the law, regardless of past behavior. unequal and inconsistent treatment leads to distrust and disrespect of the system. standardize treatment in the justice system so everyone who commits the same crime is treated the same way
what is the criminal justice system involved in
apprehension, prosecution, and control of those charged with criminal offenses
how does the economy influence the crime rate
bad economy means increased crime in the past
what was the modern era of justice
began in 1950s with series of research projects, focus was on criminal justice process
what is biosocial theory
behavior is function of interaction of biochemical, neurological, and genetic factors with environmental stimulus
what is the criminal justice assembly line's importance
checks and balances
what was the professional association that was formed and began the reorganization of the criminal justice system
chicago crime commission- acted as a citizens advocate group, kept track of activities of local justice agencies
what are the crime theories for why people commit crimes
choice biosocial psychological social structure social process conflict developmental
how does UCR measure crime
collects data on part 1 crimes from reports from police agencies. rape, murder, aggravated assault, etc. only includes crimes reported, depends on police departments submitting reports, doesn't include federal crimes
what are the 3 views of crime
consensus conflict interactionist
what is the noninterventionist perspective of justice
contact with justice system gives offenders a stigma, which locks them into a criminal way of life. decriminalize and legalize nonserious victimless crimes, like weed possession, and remove nonviolent offenders from prison system. less is better- decriminalize, divert, and deinstitutionalize whenever possible
why is ethical behavior so important in corrections
corrections officers have significant coercive power over offenders, can't use excessive force or take advantage over inmates' powerlessness
what are the 6 perspectives of justice
crime control rehabilitation due process noninterventionist equal justice restorative justice
why was crime higher in 19th and early 20th century
criminal gangs formed before civil war, turned into organized crime families
what is psychological theory
criminality caused by psychological factors psychoanalytic- criminals driven by unconscious thought patterns that control behavior, mental illness attachment theory- failure to develop proper attachments may cause psychological disorder- don't bond with parents, can't form relationships behavioral theory- behavior patterns are modeled and learned in interactions- exposed to violence as kids cognitive theory- lack ability to perform normal cognitive functions- act without thinking, don't understand others feelings criminal personality- hyperactivity and impulsiveness- psychopathic, antisocial, sociopathic personalities, have disturbed personality, high intelligence
what is the rehabilitation perspective of justice
criminals are victims of social inequality and poor circumstances. punishment won't deter them, but proper treatment can prevent crimes before they occur. better to treat than punish, criminals are society's victims, helping others is part of american culture, convicted criminals can be treated within the justice system with counseling
what does the defense attorney do
defends the suspect
what is developmental theory
disruptions in life's major transitions can be destructive and promote criminality, as people mature the factors that influence their behavior change
what are crime patterns
ecological gender race class age career offending
what is the due process perspective of justice
fair and equal treatment for those accused of crimes, even the most apparently guilty. everyone deserves full array of constitutional rights and privileges, preserve democratic ideals over the need to punish the guilty, scrutinize decisions in the justice system carefully, treat all defendants fairly regardless of sex, race, socioeconomic status, religion, or ethnicity
what are victim patterns
gender age income marital status race ecological factors victim-offender relationships repeat victimization
how do self report surveys measure crime
given in prison anonymously, have to rely on criminals to be honest about past crimes. reveals the stuff that isn't reported and wasn't caught
what are examples of how poor economy influenced the crime rate in history
great depression, vietnam war, etc
what is the crime control perspective of justice
harsher punishments, and people won't dare to break the law again. swift, certain, and severe punishment would mean fewer people commit crimes. purpose of justice system is to deter crime through application of justice. more efficient system means more effective. justice system isn't equipped to treat people, but rather to investigate crimes, apprehend suspects, and punish the guilty
what is conflict theory
human behavior is shaped by interpersonal contact, economic and political forces in society are fundamental causes of criminality. crimes are defined in way that meets needs of ruling class and elites
what is social process theory
interactions with key social institutions (family, school, peers, military service, job) shape behavior
what is a grand jury responsible for
investigating alleged crimes, examining evidence, and issuing indictments
what does the judge do
keeps the trial going
what and when was the first police department
london metropolitan police 1829
why are ethics so important in criminal justice
moral ambiguity is the norm, enormous power is granted to criminal justice employees
what is interactionist view of crime
morals, reflects contemporary values. ex: weed is legal some places now
what are examples of crime patterns
more crime in summer, more in west coast and in south than the midwest and new england, less crime in rural and suburb than urban areas, more crime for males than females, etc
why didn't the crime rate increase with the poor economy in the 2000s
more government assistance for the unemployed now than ever before
what is the restorative justice perspective of justice
more humane system, enable offenders to appreciate damage they caused, make amends, and reintegrate into society. police use mediation techniques to settle disputes instead of formal arrest
what was the group formed that started the era of treatment and rehabilitation
national commission on law observance and enforcement, aka wickersham convention. created by president hoover in 1931
is crime a recent development
no, part of society for ages- higher crime rate in 19th and 20th centuries than now, probably
what is choice theory
people choose to commit crimes of their own free will, most people have potential to break law, weigh risk/reward, consider punishments
what are the 3 parts of the criminal justice system
police courts corrections
why is ethical behavior so important in law enforcement
police officers have the authority to deprive people of their liberty
what is the social structure theory
position in social structure affects behavior- lower class, culture of poverty is marked by apathy, cynicism, helplessness, and mistrust of social institutions. social disorganization theory- high unemployment, deteriorated housing, low income levels, many single parent households strain theory- conflict between goals and means to obtain those goals cultural deviance theory- lower class culture develops in disorganized, poverty-ridden neighborhoods
what major component is needed for arrest to happen
probable cause
why is ethical behavior so important in courts
prosecutor must seek justice for all parties, shouldn't just be targeting a conviction, must present all evidence and uphold the law. defense attorney's job isn't to decide if client committed crime, but to provide vigorous defense and make sure client isn't convicted unless prosecution can prove its case beyond reasonable doubt
who makes up the courtroom work group
prosecutor, defense attorney, judge, & others
what does the criminal justice system do
protect the public, maintain order, enforce the law, identify transgressors, bring the guilty to justice, treat criminal behavior
what does the prosecutor do
represents the state, brings the charges
what is the consensus view of crime
right vs wrong, applies to everyone equally, law defines crime. criminal law is set of rules
what is a chronic offender
someone arrested 5+ times before they turn 18
how does NCVS measure crime
surveys victims regarding experiences with crime. problems are memory errors, don't want to report domestic cases, don't know proper legal definitions of crimes
what is criminal justice
system of law enforcement, adjudication, and correction
what is conflict view of crime
the law is a tool of the ruling class, crime is politically defined. law is to control the underclass
how is crime defined
violation of criminal law
what are the current crime trends
violence and property crimes have declined since 1990s
what is nolle prosequi
when prosecutor decides to drop a case after complaint has been formally made due to insufficient evidence, reluctant witnesses, or police error
what's an example of UCR reports
when you hear that the murder rate is down
what are examples of victim patterns
your lifestyle might put you more at risk- where you live, work, commute- things you can't change in your surroundings may make you a repeat victim. when men are the victim, usually a stranger. when women are the victim, usually someone they know. younger people more likely to be victim than older people
what are the 16 steps in formal criminal justice process
1. report of crime 2. initial contact of suspected offender 3. investigation 4. arrest 5. custody 6. charging 7. preliminary hearing/grand jury 8. arraignment 9. bail/detention 10. plea bargaining 11. trial/adjudication 12. sentencing/disposition 13. appeal/post-conviction remedies 14. correctional treatment 15. release 16. post release
when did federal involvement in criminal justice increase
1967, presidents commission on law enforcement and administration of justice
