Criminal Justice System Chapter 3

Key Terms and Definitions

• Adjudication: Process of determining a defendant’s guilt or innocence.
• Arrest: Taking an individual into custody based on probable cause of a criminal offense; only reasonable force is permitted, aimed at holding the accused for court proceedings.
• Discretion: Authority to make decisions based on personal judgment rather than strict rules, allowing for individualized justice.
• Discrimination: Differential treatment based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or economic status rather than individual behavior or qualifications.
• Disparity: Unequal treatment of demographic groups within the criminal justice system compared to others.
• Dual Court System: Separate judicial system for each state alongside a national court system, with cases tried in the jurisdiction where laws were allegedly broken.
• Exchange: A mutual transfer of resources where the balance of benefits and deficits influences decisions about alternatives.
• Federalism: Government system dividing power between central (national) and regional (state) authorities.
• Filtering Process: Screening process by criminal justice officials that advances some cases while discarding others.
• Indictment: Document from a grand jury charging an individual with a crime based on probable cause.
• Information: Document charging an individual with a crime, prepared by a prosecuting attorney for a preliminary hearing.
• Plea Bargain: Agreement where a defendant pleads guilty with the expectation of a lesser penalty or reduced charges.
• System: A complex entity made up of interdependent parts working toward shared goals and affected by environmental factors.
• Warrant: Court order permitting police to arrest suspects or search premises.

Goals and Processes

• Goals of the Criminal Justice System: Focus on achieving justice, controlling crime, and preventing future criminal activities.
• Criminal Justice as a System: Coordination of various organizations working together ensures the administration of justice functions effectively.

Criminal Justice Decision-Making Process

• Thirteen Steps:
  • Investigation
  • Arrest
  • Booking
  • Charging
  • Initial appearance
  • Preliminary hearing/Grand jury
  • Indictment/Information
  • Arraignment
  • Trial
  • Sentencing
  • Appeal
  • Corrections
  • Release

Models of Justice

• Wedding Cake Model: More accurately represents the criminal justice system by highlighting variations in case treatment based on unique circumstances, unlike the simplistic 13-step model.

Challenges in a Multicultural Society

• Racial Equality in Justice: Addressing disparities in sentencing and arrest practices across different racial and ethnic groups remains a significant challenge for the criminal justice system.