Capital Punishment
Most common method of execution in the United States?
Lethal Injection
This goal of punishment focuses on “getting even,” often summarized by the phrase “an eye for an eye.”
Retribution
What is another word for a determinate sentence?
fixed sentence
What do victim impact statements focus on?
the victim and emotional impact ofthe event
A famous influencer is convicted of insider trading, earning millions illegally. They post a tearful apology video titled “My Journey Through Accountability 💔.”
Should their fame increase, decrease, or not affect their sentence?
Equal treatment
Do recent studies agree with popular studies in the 1900s that said capital punishment deterred murder?
No (do not deter murder or robbery. Most recent information is inconclusive)
This goal of punishment removes offenders from society to prevent them from committing more crimes, often through jail or probation.
Incapacitation
In a concurrent sentence, if someone is sentenced 10 years for stealing+5 years of theft, how many years will they serve?
10 years
What is an objection to victim impact statements?
gives the state too much influence, unfair to defendants, irrelevant to the case
A man breaks into a house by mistake, thinking it’s his Airbnb. He falls asleep on the couch before police arrive.
Should this be treated as burglary or as an accident with no intent?
Minimal penalty; intent was absent.
Roughly how many people have been exonerated since 1989?
3092–range from 3000 to 3100
Judges’ ability to interpret sentencing laws differently is known as this, which can lead to variation in punishments.
Judicial Discretion
In a consecutive sentence, if someone is sentanced 10 years for stealing+5 years of theft, how many years will they serve?
15 years
Who are victim impact statements guided by?
The prosecutor
A 70-year-old grandmother unknowingly sells THC brownies at a church bake sale. No one is harmed, but people are very relaxed at Bible study.
Should she face drug charges, or does intent matter more than the act itself?
No criminal punishment; rehabilitative or educational response.
What is one reason people advocate for the death penalty? What is one reason they are against it?
For: Deterrent, religious reasons, retribution, no recurring crimes
Against: Not a deterrent, not civilized, kills innocent people, flaws in studies
This school of thought believes criminal behavior is influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors beyond personal control, emphasizing rehabilitation and reform.
Positivist School
Within a federal sentencing guideline, what is one of the most important attributes that is involved?
Severity of crime, Sentence length, or personal record history
What is NOT allowed in victim impact statements?
giving personal opinion, such as speaking on their opinion of the defendant, or trying to decide sentencing
A passionate animal rights activist spray-paints “MEAT IS MURDER” on a steakhouse wall to protest cruelty.
Should they be punished harshly for property damage or shown leniency for moral motives?
Balanced punishment (fine, community service).
What is one of the key supreme court decisions relating to the death penalty?
Furman v Georgia, Troy Gregg v. Georgia, Roper v. Simmons
This sentencing concept balances retributive and utilitarian justice by ensuring punishments are appropriate to the harm, intent, and circumstances of each case.
Proportionality
Why were sentencing reforms put into the sentencing guidelines?
To address the inequality and unfairness of crimes
Name two things research has shown about victim impact statements in the real world.
all statements are very different, sadness was more common than anger, more likely to be guided by the prosecutor, unlikely to attack the defendant or demand punishment, talked more about suffering and the victim itself
A 19-year-old livestreams themselves stealing a PS5 “for clout” and returns it two hours later after gaining 50k followers.
Should they face jail time for theft, or community service for poor judgment?
Teams must argue whether deterrence or rehabilitation better fits this case.
rehabilitation