Criminal Justice System Overview

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is one of the primary duties of local police agencies according to the acronym PEPPAS?

Regulating state laws

Protecting life and property (correct)

Conducting federal investigations

Formulating national security policies

What distinguishes sheriffs from local police chiefs in terms of their positions?

Sheriffs are appointed by the mayor.

Sheriffs are elected to their positions. (correct)

Sheriffs operate only at the federal level.

Sheriffs do not have any deputies.

Which of the following best describes the focus of duties for state police agencies?

Conducting community outreach programs.

Investigating crimes on a national scale.

Enforcing federal laws exclusively.

Addressing violations within the state. (correct)

Which level of law enforcement is responsible for the majority of policing in America?

Local police agencies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common responsibility of federal agents?

Managing immigration and border security. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of prosecutors?

Prosecuting violations of criminal law Signup and view all the answers

What role do prosecutors play in the criminal justice system?

Negotiating plea bargains Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of defendants hire their own private attorney?

20% Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about defense attorneys is correct?

They ensure defendants understand their options. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant characteristic of prosecutors in the court system?

They are elected to local office. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'mortification' refer to in the context of total institutions?

The loss of personal identity. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the five pains of imprisonment as described by Gresham Sykes?

Deprivation of resources. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes 'grass eaters' from 'meat eaters' in the context of police corruption?

Grass eaters accept illegal benefits passively, whereas meat eaters aggressively solicit illegal favors. Signup and view all the answers

Which level of police corruption involves individual officers participating in corrupt activities independently?

Rotten apples Signup and view all the answers

What is probation often considered in relation to a prison sentence?

A suspended sentence. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of federal officers in the Department of Justice after 9/11?

Investigating federal crimes both domestically and internationally Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an immediate sanction developed for community corrections?

Halfway houses. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of total institutions most significantly impacts an inmate's daily routine?

Institutional control over daily life. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of corruption is characterized by a widespread pattern of illegal activity supported by many officers, making it synonymous with the agency's culture?

Pervasive unorganized corruption Signup and view all the answers

What defines the ethical foundation of policing according to the content provided?

A set of moral thoughts and ideas about right conduct Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a gratuity in the context of policing?

An officer getting free meals due to their position Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a form of police corruption as outlined?

Community support programs Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between 'rotten apples' and 'rotten pockets'?

Rotten apples do not collaborate, whereas rotten pockets involve teamwork. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between probation and parole?

Probation allows individuals to remain free while serving their sentence. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major challenge in implementing rehabilitation programs in jails?

The changing population of inmates. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a prison compared to a jail?

Prisons are designed for long-term confinement and rehabilitation. Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to the public's limited understanding of correctional agencies?

The invisibility of correctional policies to the public. Signup and view all the answers

Which purpose did jails serve in the colonial era?

Holding individuals awaiting trial or punishment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of correctional institutions that emerged in the 19th century in America?

They developed as a formal punitive response to crime. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it difficult for the public to engage in meaningful conversations about correctional policy?

The operational details of corrections are often hidden from public view. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about jails is accurate?

Most individuals in jail have not been convicted of a crime. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a grand jury?

To serve as a check on prosecutorial power Signup and view all the answers

What must happen during an arraignment?

The defendant enters a formal plea Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes discovery in a criminal case?

Both parties exchange relevant information about the case Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common method for resolving criminal cases?

Plea bargaining Signup and view all the answers

What is a motion to suppress?

A request to exclude certain evidence from trial Signup and view all the answers

What do juveniles not have the right to in a criminal case?

A speedy trial Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the environment of a preliminary hearing?

It is held in open court before a judge Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of voir dire in jury selection?

To screen out biased potential jurors Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical composition of a criminal jury in most states?

12 jurors Signup and view all the answers

What type of evidence does the prosecution have an obligation to disclose to the defense?

Exculpatory evidence Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Core Concepts of US Policing

There are three levels of law enforcement: Local, State, and Federal.
Local agencies primarily handle protecting life and property, enforcing criminal law, preventing crime, preserving peace, and serving the community. Frequently, Sheriffs' departments are tasked with court duties alongside local police.
State police agencies handle state-level criminal activity, often focused on road crime. They have statewide jurisdiction.
Federal agencies enforce federal laws, including inter-state crimes. They often focus on national security issues.

Ethical Issues in Policing

Ethics concern moral principles for determining appropriate actions.
Police corruption is a misuse of authority, often for personal gain. Types include "rotten apples" (individual corruption), "rotten pockets" (team/coordinated corruption), pervasive unorganized corruption (widely spread), and pervasive organized corruption (deeply embedded).
"Grass eaters" passively accept benefits, "meat eaters" aggressively seek them out. Misuse of authority can occur in various ways.

Levels of Corruption

Corruption is a significant issue impacting policing.
Rotten apples: individuals acting corruptly without the knowledge of other officers.
Rotten pockets: officers working together corruptly.
Pervasive unorganized corruption: when several officers corrupt themselves to a degree where it becomes a prominent part of agency culture.
Pervasive organized corruption: officers working together deliberately.

The Police, Public, and Legitimacy

Police legitimacy is trust of the public in the police and their practices.
Perceptions of police legitimacy are directly linked to public perception of the police, public trust, and the police use of force.

Strategies to Improve Police-Community Relations

Methods to improve police-community relations include body-worn cameras, community communication, and verbal de-escalation skills.

Myths About Policing

Misconceptions about policing include myths about the number of police officers affecting crime rates, patrol deterrence, response time in investigations, and the role of investigators.

Community-Oriented Policing

This approach focuses on partnerships between police and communities.

Core Concepts of the U.S. Court Systems

Adjudication is the legal process resolving disputes.
Jurisdiction describes the authority of a court.
There are multiple forms of court jurisdiction in the US system; hierarchal, subject matter, and geographic.

The Courtroom Workgroup

The courtroom workgroup encompasses the judge, prosecutor, and defense attorney.

Judges, Prosecutors, and Defense Attorneys

Judges act as referees in trials.
Prosecutors present the case against the accused.
Defense Attorneys' represent accused in providing the best defense and exploring possible plea agreements.

Criminal Pretrial Processes

Charging, initial appearance, arraignment, discovery, plea bargaining, pretrial motions are different stages of a criminal prosecution.

Criminal Trial Processes

A trial is where an accused person is evaluated and ruled either guilty or not guilty by a jury or judge. The U.S. legal system includes various procedures to ensure a fair trial.

The Scope and Purpose of American Corrections

Correctional agencies implement criminal sentences, from probation to execution.
The contemporary correctional system faces a tension between goals of offender reform and other objectives like rehabilitation, retribution, deterrence, incapacitation and restitution.

Four Essential Tensions Underlying Correctional Philosophy and Policy

Correctional policy is influenced by diverse objectives and funding/resources.
Essential tensions in corrections relate to finance, research considerations, discretion, and invisibility.

History & Practice of Institutional Correction

History of correctional facilities in the U.S. includes different punishment models such as the solitary system, congregate system, and prison farms.
Current practice in correctional institutions involves various correctional alternatives including probation, parole, halfway houses, and electronic monitoring.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on the various roles and responsibilities within the criminal justice system, including the functions of local police, state police, prosecutors, and more. This quiz will also cover aspects of police corruption and the impacts of imprisonment. Dive into these critical concepts and see how well you understand the system!