Criminal Law Concepts Quiz

A legal defense where the defendant argues that they were incapable of understanding the wrongfulness of their actions due to a mental illness at the time of the crime.

A legal defense where the defendant argues that they were forced to commit a crime due to a threat of harm to themselves or others.

A legal rule that defines insanity as a mental state where the defendant did not know right from wrong due to a mental disease or defect at the time of the crime.

A legal test that aims to determine whether the defendant's actions were a product of mental illness. Essentially, was the crime a result of their mental illness?

A legal defense arguing that the defendant should not be held criminally responsible because they were forced to act in a way to prevent greater harm to themselves or others.

Federal prison camps with minimal security measures, often without guards or fences. Prisoners are less likely to attempt escape.

Prisons with fences and guards, but with less concern about prisoner danger.

Prisons with higher security measures, often with stricter rules and a higher risk of violence.

Prisons with the highest level of security, designed for the most dangerous and dangerous prisoners.

A facility where individuals awaiting trial or bail are held.

A unit within a prison that provides protection to inmates who are at risk from other prisoners.

A form of solitary confinement for prisoners who have broken prison rules or require disciplinary segregation.

A prison with the highest security level, designed for the most dangerous and violent prisoners.

An agreement between different law enforcement agencies to work together on a specific objective or issue.

Police departments that operate at the city level, usually responsible for law enforcement within their city limits.

Law enforcement officials elected at the county level, responsible for enforcing laws and health codes within the county.

The main federal agency responsible for investigating crimes against the United States, including terrorism, cybercrime, and organized crime.

The federal agency focused on protecting the United States from terrorism and other threats to national security.

The federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration and customs laws, including border security and the apprehension of illegal immigrants.

The federal agency responsible for protecting U.S. borders from illegal entry and smuggling.

The federal agency responsible for protecting the United States financial system from fraud and money laundering.

A police officer who wears a uniform and patrols the streets, responding to calls for service.

Police officers who investigate specific crimes, gather evidence, and prepare cases for prosecution.

Police officers who supervise other officers, manage budgets, and address issues brought by the city government.

Specialized police officers trained in specific skills, such as handling hostage situations or controlling riots.

The flexibility and judgment police officers exercise when deciding how to handle situations, which can vary based on individual circumstances.

The Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution, which protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.

A legal justification for police to use force against a suspect who is believed to be committing a crime and fleeing from the police.

Federal prosecutors who are part of the Department of Justice, working under the Attorney General.

The head of the Department of Justice, appointed by the President.

Legal professionals who represent clients accused of crimes, prioritizing their client's defense within legal boundaries.

A legal strategy employed by defense attorneys to aggressively defend their client's interests within legal limits.

A defendant who lacks the financial resources to hire their own attorney.

Supreme Court case that guarantees the right to legal counsel for indigent defendants in criminal cases.

Government-funded lawyers who represent indigent defendants.

Private law firms hired by the state to represent indigent defendants under a contract.

Lawyers who voluntarily represent indigent defendants in court, without receiving payment.

The presiding officer in a court of law, responsible for ensuring the law is followed and making rulings on legal matters.

A trial where the judge acts as both the fact-finder and law interpreter, without a jury.

The initial stage of a criminal case where a defendant is brought into custody and formally charged.

A court appearance where a defendant is informed of the charges against them and enters a plea.

A request made by a lawyer to the judge before trial, seeking an advantage in the proceedings.

A theory suggesting that individuals make rational decisions based on self-interest, weighing the potential benefits of crime against the risks of punishment.

The belief that crime can be controlled by making the potential punishment for committing a crime outweigh the potential reward.

A theory that suggests the likelihood of getting caught is a more effective deterrent than the severity of punishment.

An outdated theory that believed the shape of a person's skull could reveal their criminal tendencies.

An outdated theory that stated criminals were biological throwbacks who were unfit for society.

A field of study examining the role of genetics, neurobiology, and other biological factors in criminal behavior.

A theory that suggests human behavior, including criminal behavior, is influenced by biological factors and evolutionary processes.

A theory that emphasizes the role of an individual's emotional and cognitive makeup in criminal behavior.

A type of therapy that focuses on exploring and addressing unconscious conflicts and drives believed to contribute to criminal behavior.

A theory that views criminal behavior as a result of social and environmental factors, particularly learned behaviors and experiences.

A theory explaining criminal behavior as a result of individuals learning criminal techniques and motivations through interactions with others.

A theory explaining criminal behavior that focuses on the individual and their personal experiences and motivations.

A theory explaining large-scale patterns and trends in criminal behavior, often related to broader societal conditions.

A theory suggesting that individuals commit crime when they are unable to achieve culturally valued goals through legitimate means.

A theory suggesting that crime is more prevalent in neighborhoods experiencing social disorganization, such as high poverty, residential instability, and weak social ties.

A system focusing on punishment for breaking the law. It prioritizes respecting the individual's choices, even if those choices are harmful.

A universal moral principle that should guide all actions. It essentially says: "Do to others what you would want them to do to you."

A method of punishment that aims to rehabilitate offenders by allowing them to reflect on their actions and find spiritual redemption.

A system in prison where inmates are isolated and forced to reflect on their actions in silence, hoping for spiritual transformation.

A sentencing practice in prisons where the length of time served is not predetermined and can be adjusted based on the prisoner's behavior and cooperation.

A form of punishment where prisoners are put to work, often in labor-intensive jobs.

An era in prison history focused on using psychological and psychiatric methods to rehabilitate offenders.

The tendency for an offender to commit another crime after being released from prison.

A period of increasing incarceration rates, fueled by the War on Drugs and policies that focused on harsher sentencing laws.

An ideology that believes private industries should manage as many public services as possible, including prisons.

An arrangement where private companies contract with governments to build and operate prisons, often creating incentives to keep prisons filled.

A system where political and economic interests intertwine with the prison system, leading to policies that benefit certain groups by increasing incarceration.

A report prepared before sentencing, detailing the offender’s criminal history and background, and recommending a sentence based on this information.

A statement read in court where the victim describes the harm they experienced because of the crime and its impact on their life.

The initial processing area for new inmates, where officials assign them to different areas based on the risk they pose.