Criminal Justice System Overview

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Questions and Answers

What does federalism allow states to do?

Create and enforce their own laws.

Marijuana is legal for recreational use in all states.

False

What does the DEA deem marijuana as?

Legal substance

Schedule one drug (correct)

Schedule two drug

Schedule three drug

In April 2024, the DEA acknowledged that it would reclassify marijuana as a ______.

schedule three controlled substance Signup and view all the answers

How many states have legalized marijuana for recreational or medicinal purposes?

38 states Signup and view all the answers

What might happen if there is an egregious overstep at the state level?

The federal government might step in. Signup and view all the answers

The federal government has removed marijuana from the list of schedule one drugs.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the criminal justice system?

To bring about justice when someone has been harmed. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are goals of the criminal justice system? (Select all that apply)

Preventing crime Signup and view all the answers

The goals of the criminal justice system include only punishing offenders.

False Signup and view all the answers

One of the goals of the criminal justice system is __________ crime.

controlling Signup and view all the answers

What does procedural justice refer to in the context of the criminal justice system?

How the criminal justice system and its actors are supposed to carry out their roles within the framework of the law. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of arrests are for nonviolent criminal activity?

80% Signup and view all the answers

According to Cole and colleagues, what is the first principle of doing justice?

To hold offenders accountable. Signup and view all the answers

What is federalism in the context of criminal justice?

A system of government where the same territory is controlled by two levels of government (national and state). Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of crime prevention measures?

Creating deterrents for potential criminals Signup and view all the answers

What is one consequence of a crime control mentality?

Increased volume of arrests, especially for nonviolent offenses. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Criminal Justice System

The criminal justice system is a complex series of interrelated decisions.
Decisions made by police, prosecutors, and correctional institutions can impact individuals and communities.
Criminal justice systems operate at the county level and vary across jurisdictions.
The three goals of the criminal justice system are: doing justice, controlling crime, and preventing crime.

Doing Justice

It is difficult to define justice due to differing perceptions.
Justice should involve fair treatment, equity, impartiality, consistency, and deservingness.
The principles of doing justice are to hold offenders accountable, protect offenders' rights, and treat like offenses similarly.

Controlling Crime

Crime control methods include police, technology like drones and cameras, prisons, and jails.
Police are a formal form of social control, authorized to take liberties and even use lethal force.
The crime control mentality has led to a significant increase in arrests, particularly for nonviolent offenses.

Crime Prevention

Crime prevention can be achieved through individual efforts, community initiatives, and criminal justice system interventions.
Examples of crime prevention include car clubs, phone passwords, and neighborhood design.
Prisons and punishment are also considered forms of crime prevention.

Federalism

The U.S. operates under a federal system, with both national and state governments having lawmaking power.
States have the right to create and enforce their own laws, which often leads to variations in criminal justice practices across the country.
Federalism explains discrepancies in marijuana laws, with some states legalizing it for recreational or medicinal purposes while the federal government maintains its classification as a Schedule I drug.

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Description

Explore the complexities of the criminal justice system, including its goals of doing justice, controlling crime, and preventing crime. Understand how decisions made by various authorities impact individuals and communities differently across jurisdictions.