Criminal Justice System Overview
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Questions and Answers

What fundamental right must suspects be informed of before custodial interrogation?

  • Right to public defense
  • Right to a jury trial
  • Right to remain silent (correct)
  • Right to appeal
  • What does actus reus refer to in criminal law?

  • Legal representation
  • Guilty act or conduct (correct)
  • Circumstantial evidence
  • Intent to commit a crime
  • What is the primary focus of specific deterrence?

  • Discouraging individual offenders (correct)
  • Imposing heavier penalties for serious crimes
  • Preventing future crimes in general
  • Rehabilitating juvenile delinquents
  • What landmark case established the requirement for informing suspects of their rights?

    <p>Miranda v. Arizona</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does judicial review allow courts to do?

    <p>Declare laws unconstitutional</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a key feature of the Pennsylvania prison system?

    <p>Solitary confinement for reflection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What Supreme Court case highlighted the issue of medical care for prisoners?

    <p>Estelle v. Gamble</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one potential consequence of general deterrence in the criminal justice system?

    <p>Discouragement of future criminals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three traditional components of the criminal justice system?

    <p>Law enforcement, Courts, Corrections</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is dual federalism?

    <p>Power divided between federal and state governments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?

    <p>Misdemeanors are less serious crimes, felonies are more serious crimes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do the police act as 'gatekeepers' in the criminal justice system?

    <p>They initiate the formal criminal justice process</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of Miranda v. Arizona (1966) for law enforcement?

    <p>It required police to inform suspects of their rights</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes general deterrence from specific deterrence in crime control?

    <p>General deterrence aims to prevent crime by the public, while specific deterrence aims to prevent repeat offenses by individuals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do the terms actus reus and mens rea refer to in the context of proving a crime?

    <p>The act of wrongdoing and the mental state during the act</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by 'prisoner's rights'?

    <p>Prisoners have rights that must be honored even while incarcerated</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of restorative justice compared to traditional criminal justice practices?

    <p>Repairing harm caused by criminal behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which theory of punishment seeks to prevent future crimes by discouraging offenders from reoffending?

    <p>Deterrence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What challenge arises when balancing individual rights with public safety in the context of terrorism?

    <p>Duty to protect national security</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following refers to the standard of proof required for a criminal conviction?

    <p>Beyond a reasonable doubt</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which Supreme Court role significantly influences criminal justice policy?

    <p>Interpreting the Constitution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common ethical dilemma faced by law enforcement officers?

    <p>Deciding when to use force</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of community corrections?

    <p>To provide alternatives to incarceration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'Actus Reus' refer to in legal terms?

    <p>The guilty act or conduct constituting a crime</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'mens rea' refer to in criminal law?

    <p>The guilty mind or intent required for a criminal conviction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best defines 'double jeopardy'?

    <p>Being tried twice for the same offense</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the grand jury in the criminal justice system?

    <p>To determine if there is enough evidence to indict a suspect</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'incapacitation' aim to achieve within the context of punishment?

    <p>Removal of offenders from society to prevent further crime</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of defenses in criminal law, what does 'duress' imply?

    <p>The defendant was forced to commit a crime</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes 'felony'?

    <p>A serious crime typically punishable by imprisonment for a year or more</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'deterrence' in the context of criminal justice?

    <p>Using punishment to prevent future crime</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does 'judicial review' empower courts to do?

    <p>Declare laws or government actions unconstitutional</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a plea bargain in the criminal justice system?

    <p>To facilitate a guilty plea in exchange for a reduced charge or sentence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes police brutality?

    <p>Excessive or unjustified use of force by law enforcement officers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'probable cause' refer to in legal contexts?

    <p>A reasonable belief that a crime has been committed or evidence exists.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is defined as a status offense?

    <p>An act that is illegal only for juveniles, such as truancy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do sentencing guidelines specify?

    <p>The appropriate range of punishments for different crimes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main aim of rehabilitation in the context of criminal justice?

    <p>To reform offenders and reintegrate them into society.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a search warrant?

    <p>A court order permitting law enforcement to search a specified location for evidence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does retribution focus on in terms of punishment?

    <p>Imposing a punishment that is proportionate to the crime committed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Criminal Justice System Components

    • Three traditional components: law enforcement, courts, and corrections
    • Law enforcement investigates crimes, apprehends suspects, and maintains order
    • Courts adjudicate cases, determine guilt/innocence, and impose sentences
    • Corrections supervise and incarcerate convicted offenders, aiming for rehabilitation and reintegration into society

    Dual Federalism

    • Power divided between federal and state governments
    • In criminal justice, both levels have their own laws, agencies, and courts
    • Often results in overlapping jurisdictions and complexities

    Misdemeanor vs. Felony

    • Misdemeanor: Less serious crime, punishable by fines or jail time less than a year (e.g., petty theft, vandalism, public intoxication)
    • Felony: More serious crime, punishable by imprisonment for a year or more (e.g., murder, robbery, arson)

    Police as Gatekeepers

    • Police initiate the formal criminal justice process
    • Decide whether to ignore, warn, cite, or arrest suspected individuals
    • Shape the flow of cases into the system

    Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

    • Landmark case requiring suspects to be informed of their constitutional rights, including right to remain silent and right to counsel, before custodial interrogation
    • Significantly impacted police procedures and safeguards for suspects' rights

    Deterrence Strategies

    • General deterrence: Aims to prevent crime by making examples of those punished
    • Specific deterrence: Targets individuals already punished to discourage future criminal activity

    Judicial Review

    • Power of the courts to declare laws or government actions unconstitutional
    • Ensures laws and procedures adhere to constitutional rights

    Actus Reus and Mens Rea

    • Actus reus: Guilty act or conduct that constitutes a crime
    • Mens rea: Guilty mind or intent
    • Both are crucial elements in proving a crime as they establish that the individual committed the act with necessary intent

    Prison Systems (Pennsylvania and Auburn)

    • Pennsylvania system: Emphasized solitary confinement and reflection for penitence
    • Auburn system (Congregate system): Inmates worked silently together during the day but were isolated at night

    Prisoner's Rights

    • Incarcerated individuals retain certain constitutional rights, though some may be limited due to security concerns
    • Estelle v. Gamble (1976): Established that deliberate indifference to an inmate's serious medical needs violates the Eighth Amendment, ensuring basic medical care for prisoners

    Plea Bargaining

    • Advantages: Efficiency, resolving cases quickly, reducing trial backlog
    • Disadvantages: May affect fairness by potentially influencing decisions or outcome, and the victim might feel that their rights are being overlooked, especially when there is no punishment or restitution.

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    Description

    This quiz covers the main components of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, and corrections. It also explores key concepts such as dual federalism and the differences between misdemeanors and felonies. Test your knowledge on how these elements interact within the justice process.

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