Criminal Justice Concepts Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of retributive justice?

Community service requirements

Rehabilitation of offenders

Punishment for criminal behavior (correct)

Restoration of victims

Under which circumstance can a warrantless arrest be legally executed?

During a public demonstration

If the suspect can provide a written statement

In the presence of a police officer

When there is probable cause (correct)

What does the Exclusionary Rule entail?

Permits evidence obtained through good faith actions

Allows all evidence to be used in court regardless of legality

Enforces harsher penalties for illegal searches

Prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in a court of law (correct)

Which standard of proof is required in a criminal trial?

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Miranda Rights being read to suspects?

To inform them of their legal rights Signup and view all the answers

What exception allows police to seize evidence in plain view?

Plain view exception Signup and view all the answers

What doctrine extends the Exclusionary Rule to evidence that is indirectly obtained?

Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Signup and view all the answers

What does the Fourth Amendment protect citizens against?

Unreasonable search and seizure without a warrant Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary aim of the Prohibition era in the U.S. from 1920 to 1933?

To ban the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages Signup and view all the answers

What concept describes the unintended negative consequences of strict drug enforcement policies?

Collateral Damage in the War on Drugs Signup and view all the answers

Which policing strategy is focused on addressing minor offenses in order to prevent larger crimes?

Broken Windows Policing Signup and view all the answers

In terms of terrorism, what is defined as acts intended to create fear for political or ideological purposes?

Terrorism Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to a fair, speedy, and public trial?

6th Amendment Signup and view all the answers

What term refers to the difference between legal rights as written (de jure) and rights as practiced (de facto)?

Rights de jure vs. Rights de facto Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first African-American Supreme Court Justice known for civil rights advocacy?

Thurgood Marshall Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the process of questioning potential jurors to assess their suitability for a trial?

Voir Dire Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of Actus Reus in establishing criminal liability?

To show the physical act of committing a crime Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered an affirmative defense?

Negligence Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes murder from manslaughter?

Murder is always committed with malice aforethought Signup and view all the answers

Under what condition can a justifiable homicide occur?

When acting to prevent greater harm Signup and view all the answers

What does a strict liability offense entail?

The act itself is enough for liability, regardless of intent Signup and view all the answers

What is the legal implication of the Castle Exception?

No duty to retreat when within one's home Signup and view all the answers

What concept does the Reasonableness Standard evaluate in legal actions?

The actions of a reasonable person in similar circumstances Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of restorative justice in the justice system?

Rehabilitation through reconciliation with victims Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of a grand jury?

To decide if there is enough evidence to indict a suspect Signup and view all the answers

What does retribution in sentencing philosophy primarily focus on?

Imposing punishment as vengeance for a legal violation Signup and view all the answers

What is a hung jury?

A jury that cannot reach a unanimous decision Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes mandatory minimum sentences?

Legislatively prescribed minimum penalties for specified offenses Signup and view all the answers

Which sentencing philosophy aims to discourage criminal acts by threatening punishment?

Deterrence Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes determinant sentencing?

Fixed sentencing terms defined by law Signup and view all the answers

What is a bifurcated trial primarily used for?

To have distinct phases for guilt determination and sentencing in capital cases Signup and view all the answers

In what scenario does the brutalization effect suggest an increase in violence?

When the death penalty is enforced Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between grass eaters and meat eaters in the context of police corruption?

Grass eaters passively accept bribes, while meat eaters aggressively seek out corrupt activities. Signup and view all the answers

Which doctrine permits the use of deadly force against a suspect fleeing from a serious crime?

Fleeing Felon Doctrine Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of community policing?

Building relationships and working proactively with the community. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'code of silence' in policing?

A refusal to report or address misconduct within the police force. Signup and view all the answers

Which theory suggests that addressing minor offenses can help prevent more serious crimes?

Broken Windows Theory Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the term 'symbolic assailants' in policing?

Individuals suspected of serious crimes based on specific characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the 'Dirty Harry Problem'?

Moral dilemmas faced by officers using questionable methods to achieve justice. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'war model of policing' imply?

An aggressive and militarized method of law enforcement. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Criminal Liability

Actus Reus: The physical act of committing a crime, necessary for criminal liability
Mens Rea: The mental intent or state of mind to commit a crime, showing culpability
Affirmative Defenses:
- Self-Defense: Using force to protect oneself from imminent harm
- Excuse: Admitting the criminal act but claiming the defendant lacked the mental state
- Justification: Arguing the act was permissible under the circumstances
- Alibi: Proof the defendant was elsewhere when the crime occurred
- Duress: Committing a crime due to coercion or threats
- Insanity: Claiming the defendant lacked the mental capacity to understand the wrongfulness of their actions
Murder vs. Manslaughter:
- Murder: Intentional killing with malice aforethought
- Manslaughter: Unintentional killing without malice, often stemming from sudden passion or negligence
Justifiable Homicide: Killing under circumstances deemed legally permissible, such as self-defense
Strict Liability Offenses: Crimes where intent doesn't need to be proven, focusing only on the act itself, like traffic violations
Reasonableness Standard: Judging actions based on what a reasonable person would do in similar circumstances
Retreat Rule: The obligation to avoid deadly force if safe escape is possible
Castle Exception: No duty to retreat when defending oneself in one's home
Stand Your Ground Laws: Allowing the use of deadly force without retreating in specific situations
Entrapment: A defense claiming the defendant was induced by law enforcement to commit a crime they wouldn't have otherwise committed
Yoshi Hattori: A case highlighting self-defense laws for a situation of a Japanese student fatally shot in Louisiana, 1992

Justice Systems

Victimology: Study of victims, their patterns of victimization, and the impacts of crime
Survivor Missions: Initiatives supporting and aiding crime victims and survivors
Restorative Justice: Systems focusing on rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and community
Retributive Justice: Systems emphasizing punishment as a response to criminal behavior
Victim Bill of Rights: Legal rights afforded to victims to ensure fairness, respect, and dignity
Authority vs. Power: Authority (legitimate power) vs. power (ability to influence) in society
Rule of Thumb: Informal guideline, often pertaining to domestic violence law

Standards of Proof

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: Highest standard in criminal trials, ensuring moral certainty of guilt
Preponderance of Evidence: Lower standard in civil cases, requiring evidence favoring one side more than the other

Arrest & Search Procedures

Arrest/Warrantless Arrest: Taking someone into custody without a warrant if probable cause exists
Judicial Affirmation of Probable Cause: Judge's confirmation of sufficient evidence for arrest/search
Search/Warrantless Search: Examining premises for evidence under certain permitted conditions
Search Incident to Lawful Arrest: Searching a person and their immediate surroundings after a lawful arrest
Border Exception: Searches at international borders without probable cause or warrant
Plain View Exception: Seizing evidence visible without a search, during lawful observation

Police & Policing Terms

Fruit of the Poisonous Tree: Doctrine extending the exclusionary rule to indirectly obtained evidence
Good Faith Exception: Allowing evidence collected in good faith by officers, even acting under misconception of correct procedure
Racial Profiling: Targeting individuals based on race or ethnicity for suspicion of crime
Fifth Amendment & Interrogation Law: Protecting against self-incrimination and governing interrogation procedures
Fourth Amendment: Protecting against warrantless searches and seizures
Stop and Frisk: Brief stop and search of individuals based on reasonable suspicion
Police Brutality/Corruption: Unethical behavior and use of excessive force
Grass Eater/Meat Eater: Terms describing levels of police corruption
Rodney King: 1991 event that sparked significant public outrage and protests over police misconduct
Impact Techniques: Non-lethal methods used by police for control
Lethal Force Justification: Guidelines for use of deadly force, typically in self-defense
Police Theories and Concepts: Explanations for and understandings of policing (e.g., Fleeing Felon Doctrine, Rotten Apple Theory, Working Personality of Police Officer)

Policing and Other Contemporary Issues

War Model of Policing: Aggressive, militaristic approach to law enforcement
Dirty Harry Problem: Moral dilemmas faced by officers using questionable methods
Bobbies: British police focused on community service
Order Maintenance/Service/Crime Control: Policing roles concerning maintaining order and providing services
Community Policing: Building relationships with the community to proactively prevent crime
Broken Windows Theory: Addressing minor crimes and disorder to prevent larger crimes
War on Drugs/Crime: Government initiatives for reducing drug abuse and crime
Contemporary Issues:
- Stop and Frisk: Controversial practice allowing police to stop and search individuals
- Prohibition: Era of alcohol prohibition in the US
- War on Drugs: Policies combating drugs and related crimes
- Drugs-Crime Connection: Relationship between drug abuse and criminal behavior
- Collateral Damage in the War on Drugs: Unintended consequences of strict drug enforcement policies
- Ferguson, Brown, Police Militarization: Debates on police tactics and militarization after the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown
- Broken Windows Policing: Policing approach focusing on addressing minor offenses to prevent larger crimes
- Quality of Life Policing: Focusing on improving community standards and addressing minor offenses
- Tough on Crime: Policies advocating for strict enforcement and harsher penalties
- Terrorism: Acts intended to instill fear for political, ideological, or religious purposes

Legal Figures and Courts

Supreme Court: Highest court in the US
Earl Warren: Chief Justice known for landmark civil rights rulings
Thurgood Marshall: First African-American US Supreme Court Justice
Sandra Day O'Connor: First female US Supreme Court Justice
Timothy McVeigh and OK City Bombing: Domestic terrorist attack in 1995
Al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, and 9/11: Terrorist organization responsible for the 2001 attacks in the US
Blowback: Unintended negative consequences of a nation's actions
Debating "War on Terror”: Ongoing discussion of its efficacy
Jury Selection (Voir Dire): Process of questioning potential jurors
Pretrial Motions: Requests made before trial to resolve legal issues
Trial by Jury: Right to a jury of one's peers
Hung Jury: Jury that cannot reach a unanimous decision
Mistrial: Invalid trial due to error
Grand Jury: Decides whether enough evidence exists to indict a suspect
Petit Jury: Jury that determines the verdict in a trial
Sentencing: Process of determining punishment

Sentencing

Retribution: Punishment as vengeance for a crime
Incapacitation: Removing offender from society to prevent further crimes
Deterrence: Discouraging criminal acts through punishment
Rehabilitation: Reforming offenders for future conformity
Restitution: Compensation to victims for losses
Range of Sentences: Varying penalties like fines, probation, imprisonment, or death
Presentence Investigation Report: Report detailing defendant's background for sentence determination

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Description

Test your knowledge on essential concepts of criminal justice, including retributive justice, the Exclusionary Rule, and Miranda Rights. This quiz covers important legal principles and historical contexts related to law enforcement and constitutional rights in the U.S.