Chapter 1
How do we define the criminal justice system?
refers to the system of law enforcement, adjudication, and correction that is directly involved in the apprehension, prosecution, and control of those charged with criminal offenses.
What is the consensus view on crime?
The view that certain behaviors must be outlawed or controlled, and that criminal law is designed to protect citizens from social harm
Who are criminologists?
social scientists who use the scientific method to study the nature, extent, cause, and control of criminal behavior
What are shire reeves?
The early version of the sheriff
What is the criminal justice wedding cake model in order?
Level 1: Celebrated cases
Level 2: Serious Felonies
Level 3: Less serious felonies
Level 4: Misdemeanors
What did crime look like in the Old West and in the cities?
One of the more popular crimes was robbing stage coaches and banks, gold was popular especially in the Midwest at the time.
Gangs became popular, with each looking to establish it's own identity at the expense of the cities they were taking up residence in.
What is the conflict view on crime?
The law is the instrument that enables the wealthy to maintain their position of power and control the behavior of those who oppose their ideas and values or who might rebel against the unequal distribution of wealth.
What is choice theory?
Crime is a matter of rational choice, people choose to commit crime after weighing the potential benefits and consequences of their criminal act.
Who were Fielding’s Bow Street Runners?
A group of police officers led by Henry Fielding that investigated crimes, protected the streets, and more
What does the UCR stand for? Why is it important?
Compiled by the FBI, this national survey compiles criminal acts reported to local police, stands for Uniform Crime Report
What is evidence-based justice?
Uses the scientific method to determine whether criminal justice programs reduce crime rates and offender recidivism
What is the difference between expressive v. instrumental violence?
Expressive violence: violent behavior motivated by rage, anger, or frustration
Instrumental violence: violent behavior that results from criminal activity designed to improve the financial status of the culprit
What is general and specific deterrence?
General deterrence is designed to make potential criminals fear the consequences of crime.
Specific deterrence strategies punish known criminals so severely that they will never be tempted to repeat their offenses.
Who established the London Metropolitan Police?
Sir Robert Peel
What is antisocial personality disorder?
Failure to conform to social norms
Deceitfulness
Impulsivity
Why is the criminal justice system considered to be an assembly line?
Each stage is a decision point through which cases flow.
Each decision can have a critical impact on the defendant, the justice system, and society.
What is the dark figure of crime?
Describes the unknown mass of unreported and unrecorded offenses, which in turn limits the use of official crime statistics to measure crime
What is anomie?
the absence or weakness of rules, norms, or guidelines on what is socially or morally acceptable.
What are the four levels of law enforcement?
Federal, State, County, Local
Explain to me the Professional/Reform Era of Policing
Moving away from being tied to politicians, the police wanted to become more professional with how they carried themselves, but at the same time neglected the community that they were supposed to protect
What are the five principles of evidence-based justice?
Target audience. Programs must be reaching the right audience. It is important for programs to work with high-risk offenders who have the greatest probability of recidivating.
Randomized experiments. Whenever possible, random experiments are conducted. If the recidivism rates of the experimental group are superior, we have strong evidence that the novel treatment method really works.
Intervening factors. Evidence-based programming must consider intervening factors that enhance or impede program success.
Measurement of success. Evidence-based programs must develop realistic measures of success.
Cost-effectiveness. Program effectiveness must be balanced with cost to avoid programs not making the cut due to not having the necessary finances.
What are crime patterns?
Gender, social class, and even the time of day can all be patterns identified by criminals
Who is Edwin Sutherland?
Considered to be one of the preeminent American criminologists in history, responsible for the differential association theory
Why is the Wickersham Commission important?
Formed by President Herbert Hoover to study the criminal justice system, including the police.
What is community policing?
Placed an emphasis on building relationships with the community, also relying on the communities to provide information on what is happening