Criminal Justice Policy Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is a definite course or method of action selected from among alternatives and in light of given conditions to guide and determine present and future decisions?

Policy (correct)

Law

Procedure

Regulation

What is the traditional method of the development of criminal justice policy?

Members of Congress sponsoring legislation

What is the alternative method of the development of criminal justice policy?

Direct Democracy: the Initiative

What is the Controlled Substance Act (1970)?

Act to amend the Public Health Service Act and other laws to provide increased research into, and prevention of, drug abuse. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 provide?

Funds to states with core protections for youth in the system. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Sentencing Reform Act (1984)?

To increase consistency in US federal sentencing. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Anti-Drug Abuse Act (1986) refer to?

A shift from a rehabilitative system to a punitive system in drug enforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Sex Offender Act (1994) require?

States to form registries of offenders convicted of sexual offenses. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act (1994)?

It requires states to establish registries for sexual offenders. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the US Patriot Act (2001)?

To provide appropriate tools required to intercept and obstruct terrorism. Signup and view all the answers

What change does the Fair Sentencing Act (2010) implement?

Reduces the disparity between crack cocaine and powder cocaine penalties from 100:1 to 18:1. Signup and view all the answers

Who proposed the concepts of the Crime Control Model and the Due Process Model?

Herbert Packer Signup and view all the answers

In the context of criminal justice, what do liberal politics focus on?

Due process of law Signup and view all the answers

What is Process Evaluation?

Looks at the progression of the policy development process to identify methodological errors. Signup and view all the answers

What does Outcome Evaluation focus on?

Looks at the changes that occurred due to the implementation of the policy. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of The National Institute of Justice (NIJ)?

Focuses on criminal justice research and provides federal funds to enhance justice administration. Signup and view all the answers

What findings does The University of Maryland Report present?

What doesn't work: DARE, Scared straight, boot camps, intensive supervision, faith-based programs. Signup and view all the answers

What does CRJU funding indicate?

Less than 1% of the CRJU budget goes to research. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Policy Definition

A clear course of action chosen from multiple options to guide future decisions.

Traditional Criminal Justice Policy Development

Congress members can sponsor legislation impacting criminal justice.
Legislation requires debates, voting, and signing by the executive, such as the governor or President.

Alternative Criminal Justice Policy Development

Direct democracy allows citizens to petition and vote on propositions, bypassing legislative processes.

Controlled Substances Act (1970)

Amended the Public Health Service Act to enhance research, prevention, and treatment of drug abuse.
Strengthened law enforcement related to drug abuse.

Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (1974)

Federal law providing funds to states adhering to core protections for youth in the justice system.

Sentencing Reform Act (1984)

Part of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act aimed at improving consistency in federal sentencing.
Established the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

Anti-Drug Abuse Act (1986)

Shifted approach from rehabilitation to punitive measures regarding drug offenses.

Sex Offender Act (1994)

Mandates states to create registries for offenders of violent sexual crimes and stricter registration requirements.

Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act (1994)

Established requirements for states to maintain registries for sexual offenders, notable for being a major crime bill.

USA PATRIOT Act (2001)

A response to the terrorist attacks of 2001, aimed at combating terrorism through enhanced law enforcement powers.

Fair Sentencing Act (2010)

Reduced the disparity of criminal penalties between crack cocaine and powder cocaine, changing the ratio from 100:1 to 18:1.

Criminal Justice Models

Crime Control Model: Focuses on suppressing criminal behavior, aligned with conservative philosophies.
Due Process Model: Prioritizes individual rights and freedoms, aligning with liberal philosophies.

Political Perspectives on Justice

Liberal Politics: Emphasizes due process, individual freedoms, and constitutional rights.
Conservative Politics: Focuses on traditional values, retributive justice, and law and order.

Process Evaluation

Analyzes the policy development process to identify and resolve methodological errors and implementation issues.

Outcome Evaluation

Assesses changes resulting from the implementation of a policy.

National Institute of Justice (NIJ)

The first national agency dedicated to criminal justice research, aiming to enhance justice administration and public safety.
Provides funding to universities, public agencies, and private institutions.

University of Maryland Report Findings

Key programs identified as ineffective include DARE, scared straight, boot camps, intensive supervision, and faith-based programs.

Criminal Justice Funding Landscape

Less than 1% of the criminal justice budget is allocated to research, significantly lower than funding levels for medical ($30 billion) and labor ($600 million) research.

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Description

This quiz explores the development of criminal justice policies in the United States, examining traditional legislative processes and alternative methods such as direct democracy. Key legislation, including the Controlled Substances Act and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, will be highlighted. Test your knowledge on the impact of these laws on the justice system.