Foundational Principles
This principle says everyone, including government leaders, must follow the same laws.
What is the rule of law?
Towns and cities pass these local laws.
What are ordinances?
This category of crime is generally punishable by up to a year in jail.
What is a misdemeanor?
These officials investigate crimes and make arrests.
Who are the police (law enforcement)?
This amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.
What is the Fourth Amendment?
Under this model, laws reflect the values and beliefs shared by most of society.
What is the consensus model?
The FBI and DEA enforce laws at this level of government.
What is the federal level?
This Latin term means the "guilty act."
What is actus reus?
This part of the system decides guilt and imposes sentences.
What are the courts?
This amendment guarantees the accused a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury.
What is the Sixth Amendment?
This model says laws are created by powerful groups to protect their own interests.
What is the conflict model?
The Maine Legislature passes these written laws that apply across the whole state.
What are statutes?
Purposely, knowingly, recklessly, and negligently are the four levels of this "guilty mind" element.
What is mens rea?
Jails, prisons, probation, and parole are part of this system.
What is corrections?
A person found not guilty cannot be tried again for the same crime. This Fifth Amendment protection is called this.
What is double jeopardy?
This requirement that the government follow fair rules and procedures before taking life, liberty, or property is found in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.
What is due process?
Each level of government makes laws, enforces laws, and does this third job.
What is running the courts?
Robbery and murder fall into this category of crime, generally punishable by more than a year in prison.
What is a felony?
After arrest, police record personal information, fingerprints, and a photo in this step.
What is booking?
This amendment bans excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments.
What is the Eighth Amendment?
A town votes to ban a small group congregation from opening a church. This idea explains why the Constitution still protects that group.
What are minority rights?
When both federal and state governments have authority over the same crime, this term applies.
What is concurrent jurisdiction?
Two students agree to vandalize the gym overnight and buy spray paint, but are caught before they act. This incomplete crime involves an agreement plus a step toward it.
What is conspiracy (an inchoate crime)?
At this hearing, the defendant is formally told the charges and enters a plea.
What is the arraignment?
To get a search warrant, police must show a judge facts giving a good reason to believe evidence of a crime will be found. This is called this.
What is probable cause?