Unit 1

Respond to the questions below in an ESSAY format.  (Definitions can be a single sentence).

What is Criminal Justice?

Define the following Terms:

Crime:

Justice:

Individual Rights:

Public Order Advocate:

Social Justice:

Criminal Justice:

Civil Justice:

Criminal Justice System:

Nolle Prosequi. [Latin.] A prosecutorial dismissal of charges.

Nolo Contendere. [Latin.] "No contest." Treated as a guilty plea; the defendant does not dispute the facts of the case.

Describe What happens at each stage in the criminal justice process.  Follow the outline below:

(Hint: Be sure to remember the order in which these steps occur)

a. Investigation and Arrest.

Define Warrant:

Define Booking:

b. First Appearance.

c. Bail.

d. Preliminary Hearing.

e.  Information or Indictment.

Define Grand Jury:

Define Indictment:

Define Information:

f.  Arraignment. (Hint: Pay special attention to what decisions are made here)

g. Adjudication

h. Trial

i.  Sentencing.

Explain the Meaning of Due Process of Law giving examples of specific protections in our legal system.

Explain the Difference between Criminal Justice and Criminology.

Define the term victimology and explain its importance to criminal justice. 

Define Multiculturalism and explain how it is important to the criminal justice process.

Discuss the three most common pleas a criminally accused person may make; be sure to state the advantages of a nolo plea.

The Crime Picture

1.  Explain what the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) are, who does it, how they get their information, and what the various elements of it are.  What are the advantages and disadvantages of these reports?

Define:

Part I offenses (Hint: There are 8. List and define them.):

Part II Offenses:

Hierarchy Rule:

Crime Index:

Violent Crime:

Clearance Rate:

2. Explain what the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) is, who does it, how they get their information, and what the various elements of it are.  What are the advantages and disadvantages of these reports?

Define: Bureau of Justice Statistics:

Dark Figure of Crime:

3.  Define NIBRS and explain why it is better than the UCR for statistical/research purposes.  Why do most officers not like it?

4. Define:

Crime Typology:

Stalking:

Cyberstalking:

Hate Crime:

White Collar Crime:

Organized Crime:

Computer Crime:

Software Piracy:

Computer Virus/Worm:

Terrorism:

Cyberterrorism:

The Criminal Law

1. Describe the nature and purpose of the law.

2. Describe the idea of the Rule of Law.

3. Describe the Different Types of Law:

Criminal Law

Civil Law

Administrative Law

Case Law

Define: Stare Decisis

Procedural Law

4. List and define the General Categories of Crime:

Felonies

Misdemeanors

Offenses (violations)

Treason & Espionage

Inchoate Offenses

5. List and Describe the General Features of Crime:

The Criminal Act

The Guilty Mind

Concurrence

Criminal Negligence

Recklessness

Motive

Strict Liability

Legal Cause

Attendant Circumstances

6. Describe the idea of specific elements of a crime.

7. Describe the idea of the corpus delicti of a crime.

8. Explain what a legal defense is.

9. Differentiate between a justification and an excuse.

10. Explain the defense of Alibi.

11. List and define the most common Justifications:

Self-defense

Defense of Others

Define: Alter Ego Rule

12. List and describe the most common excuses:

Duress

Age

Mistake

Involuntary Intoxication

Unconsciousness

Provocation

Insanity

Define: M'Naghten Rule

Define: Durham Rule

Define: Guilty But Mentally Ill

Define: Diminished Capacity

Define: Incompetent to Stand Trial

13.  Discuss the idea of a procedural defense, explaining the most common examples:

Entrapment

Double Jeopardy

Collateral Estoppel

Denial of Speedy Trial

Prosecutorial Misconduct

Police Fraud

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