Crime Control Model
Coined by Herbert L. Parker. Indicated that the criminal justice system has the goal of apprehending and punishing those who commit crimes. Assumes that those arrested are guilty and stressed processing and convicting offenders as efficiently and effectiv
Due Process Model
Coined by Herbert L. Parker. Argues that the criminal justice system has to protect suspects from errors and the abuses that can occur in the system. Sees the criminal justice system as having many errors that could occur as suspects are arrested and sent
Selection Process of Police Officers
- clean record
- good physical condition
- pass a background check
- high school diploma
- pass a written exam
- pass a psychological evaluation
- live within the jurisdiction of where they work
- education level needed is rising, some need a bachelors de
Police Subculture
A set of norms and values governing police behavior. This is because of the danger, stress, and isolation that are common in police work. Learned by starting training they receive at police academies. Heart of the police subculture is loyalty and support.
The Blue Curtain or "Screen
Separates the police from the community when officers are isolated form the wider society. Can be both negative and positive.
African Americans
Make up 13% of population, but 27% of arrests.
Racial Profiling
Different treatment based on a person's race or ethnicity.
Community Policing
Programs and policies that partner law enforcement with the communities that they serve. The emphasis is too have law enforcement and the community work together to determine what the community needs and how to fulfill these needs. EX: neighborhood watch,
Police-Community Relations Programs
Different from community policing in that they aim to change the community's perceptions of law enforcement but not change the way policing is done. Include having police officers visit schools, giving out good citizen awards, and giving tours of headquar
The Court System
Decided on the guilt or innocence of individuals and decided on the appropriate punishments for those found guilt of crimes. In the U.S., it is broken down into state and federal courts.
State Courts
Handles more cases than the federal system. Of about 90 million cases filed in state courts around the country, there are about 14 million criminal cases, 15 million civil cases, and over 55 million traffic and other local violation cases. Juvenile and do
State Court 3-Tier System: Courts of Limited Jurisdiction
These courts handle minor criminal cases, traffic violations, and less serious civil suits. Typically overseen by a Justice of the Peace. These courts handle over half of the cases in the states.
Justice of the Peace
A judge not necessarily trained in the law who oversees more minor cases.
State Court 3-Tier System: Courts of General Jurisdiction
These courts are major trial courts that have jurisdiction over all cases. Typically, these courts exist at the county level although some states may have several counties grouped under one court.
State Court 3-Tier System: Appellate Courts
These courts have the power to review any judgement made in the other courts of the state system. Any person convicted of a crime has the right to appeal their conviction to the appellate courts when there may be an error on a point of law. Many states ha
State Supreme Court
The court of last resort and consists of 5-9 judges who review cases.
Federal Court
Enforce and uphold federal laws. Federal laws can range from treason to environmental protection. They also test whether state and federal laws are constitutional or not. EX: if a state banned all gun ownership, a court case on a violation of this law wou
Federal Magistrates
The lowest level of jurisdiction in the federal system. They have the jurisdiction over minor federal offenses and have the important role of signing search or arrest warrants.
District Courts
Have both civil and criminal jurisdiction at the federal level. In the U.S., there are 94 district courts. Drug cases are the largest category of cases handled in the district courts.
Circuit Court of Appeals
Hear the appeals for individuals convicted in the district courts. There are 13 appeals courts in the U.S.
The Supreme Court
Has the highest and final authority in the interpretation and application of the Constitution in the U.S. The court consists of the Chief Justice and 8 Associate Justices. Each Justice is appointed by the President of the United States. Each year, about 5
Federal and State Courts: ALIKE
EX: a state court may encounter a legal controversy that brings up federal constitutional issues as well.
Trials
Decide whether an individual is guilty or innocent of the crime that they have been accused of.
Trial Jury
A group of people legally selected who are sworn to give their verdict based on the evidence of the case. Traditionally 12 individuals, although several alternates may also be included in case a jury member cannot complete the trail for some reason.
Vior Dire
The process of selecting the jury. Means "to see and speak" in French.
- Juror must be living in the required jurisdiction
- be of legal age
- will be impartial when hearing the case
- seek information about each juror in order to spot potential biases fo
Peremptory Challenges
Objections to a juror for which no reason has been offered.
Challenges for Cause
Objections to jurors of conflicts of interest. EX: an attorney might use a challenge for cause for a person related to the defendant.
Steps in the Trial
- opening statements.
- prosecution will present evidence against the defendant.
- defendant's turn
- if the evidence is weak, the defense may call for an acquittal or motion to dismiss.
- judge will decide whether this is appropriate or not based on the
Jury Deliberations
- occur in a private room
- one juror is elected the foreperson and he/she will preside over the deliberations of the jury.
- juries what do not reach a decision on the first day may be sent home with instruction not to discuss the case with anyone. Somet
Wrongful Execution
Those in which the person executed for the crime didn't commit the crime.