Criminal Justice Policy and Political Influences

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How are criminal justice decision makers selected in a democratic republic?

They are chosen by the military
They are all appointed by the President
They are randomly selected from the general populace
They are elected by the public or appointed by elected officials (correct)

Today, criminal laws are primarily based on common law rather than statutes.

False (B)

What era of criminal justice policy was initiated by the crack epidemic of the early 1980s?

get tough era

The actions of elected officials have a direct impact on the __________, and the policies they implement affect how justice is done.

criminal justice system Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their descriptions:

Common Law = Historical foundation of law developed through court decisions Statute = A formal written law enacted by a legislative body Elected Officials = Individuals chosen by the public to make decisions in government Corrections Budget = Funds allocated for the maintenance of prisons and rehabilitation programs Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant influence on the police department's style of enforcement?

Local politics (B) Signup and view all the answers

Prosecutors are typically appointed and have no political affiliations.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Crime Control Model according to Herbert Packer?

Repression of criminal conduct Signup and view all the answers

The judicial system is often perceived as above __________ politics.

partisan Signup and view all the answers

Match the following aspects of criminal justice with their political influences:

Police Departments = Local politics Prosecutors = Elections Judges = Public reactions Corrections = Governor appointments Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between corrections and politics?

Corrections operations are influenced by elected individuals (C) Signup and view all the answers

The due process model prioritizes the suppression of crime over individual freedoms.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of legal decisions do liberal judges tend to favor?

Civil liberties Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the Due Process Model in the criminal justice system?

Maintaining procedural due process (D) Signup and view all the answers

The juvenile courts originally operated on an adversarial model, similar to adult courts.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What doctrine justified the state's involvement in the lives of children in the juvenile justice system?

parens patriae Signup and view all the answers

The first juvenile court in America was established by the ________ Court Act of 1899.

Juvenile Signup and view all the answers

Match the following characteristics of juvenile courts with their descriptions:

Less formal proceedings = Juvenile cases are handled in a non-adversarial manner. Best interest of the child standard = Focus is on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Intake procedures = Informal processes that may divert cases without formal action. Lack of jury trials = Juveniles do not have the right to a trial by jury. Signup and view all the answers

Which significant change occurred in juvenile courts during the 1960s?

Granting of more constitutional rights to juveniles (D) Signup and view all the answers

Juvenile proceedings treated delinquents in much the same way as adult offenders from their inception.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Explain the dual methods of selecting criminal justice decision makers in a democratic republic.

Criminal justice decision makers are selected either through public elections or appointments by elected officials. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the impact of the 'get tough' era on U.S. criminal justice policy.

The 'get tough' era led to harsher punishments, longer sentences, and increased correctional budgets as a response to the crack epidemic. Signup and view all the answers

How does the political process affect law-making in criminal justice systems?

The political process influences law-making by determining which acts are prohibited and the corresponding punishments through legislative assemblies. Signup and view all the answers

Evaluate the relationship between policing and politics within police departments.

Police departments often attempt to maintain independence from politics to uphold public confidence and accountability in law enforcement. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the primary consequences of the political influences on corrections in recent years.

Recent political influences have led to a reevaluation of correctional approaches, favoring alternatives to incarceration over traditional punitive methods. Signup and view all the answers

Criminal Justice Policy

Policy related to crime and punishment, involving conflict and debate in American politics.

Political System in Crime

The interplay between the president, congress, courts, bureaucracies, interest groups, elections, and media, influencing criminal justice.