Key Terms for Criminal Justice

An element of a crime constituting the physical act required to be culpable of the crime

The type of utilitarianism that determines the goodness of a particular act by measuring the utility (good) for all, but only for that specific act and without regard for future actions.

The legal age at which a person is said to have the capacity to reason and, thus, to understand the consequences of his or her action.

The study of what is right and wrong pertaining to a specific profession or subjec.

A code that sets a high standard of behavior with the knowledge that many employees will not live up to it at all times

A legal tool used to confiscate property and money associated with organized criminal activity

The legal rule by which an attorney cannot disclose confidential information regarding his or her client except for in a very few specified circumstances.

Unquestionable entitlement to be obeyed that comes from fulfilling a specific role.

Graft (gratuity)

Another name for the CODE OF SILENCE or the practice of police officers to remain silent when fellow officers commit unethical actions.

The approach in which each is trated as one of many; the actors merely follow the rules and walk through the step;, and the goal is efficiency.

The condition in which a worker has abandoned the mission of the organization and is just "going through the motions"

The concept that some thighs just must be, with no need for further justification, explanation, or rationalization for why they exixt (Kant's Categorical Imperative refers to the imperative that you should do your duty, act in a way you want everyone else to act, and don't use people)

Voluntarily breaking established laws besed on one's moral beliefs.

The use of an outside agancy or board that includes citizens and monitors and/or investigates misconduct complaints against police.

The practice of officers not to come forward when they are aware of the ethical transgresions of other officers

Psychological term refering to the discomfort that is created when behavior and attitude or belief are inconsistent

A term that encompasses halfway house, work-release centers, probation, parole, and any other intermediate sanctions, such as electronic monitoring, either as a condition of probation or as a sentence in itself that takes place in the community rather than prison

A model of law enforcement that creates partnerships with the community and addresses underlying problems rather than simply enforcing the law.

The component of justice that is concerned with the fairness of contracts and business relations.

Fixating on a preconceived notion and ignoring other possibilities, i.e. in regard to a specific suspect during a plice investigation.

The idea that groups in society have fundamental differences and that those in power control societal elements, including law.

The idea that most people have similar beliefs, values, and goals and that societal laws reflect the majority view

Board of twenty citizens comprised to review complaints against the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Are those told to and individual to aboid the use of force and make the situation easier at the moment.

The component of justice that is concerned with punishments and sanctions.

The profession involved in the application of science to recognize, identify, and evaluate physical evidence in court proceedings.

The question of whether police should use immoral means to reach a desired moral end (taken from a Clint Eastwood movie)

In dropsy testimony, officers report that a drug suspect drooped the drugs and ran.

Due process is the sequence of steps taken by the state that is designed to eliminate or at least minimize error.

Making up information.

The ethical system that defines the pursuit of self-interest as a moral good.

Situations in which it is difficut to make a decision, either because the right course of action is not clear or the right course of action carries some negative consequences.

The ethical system that defines good as meeting the needs of others and preserving and enriching relationships.

Court-Created rule of evidence that excluddes evidence obtained through illegal means, except in certain instances, such as "good faith," "public safety," and "inevitable discovery"

A judgment based on facts.

Any exploitation of one's role, such as accepting bribes, protection money, or kickbacks

Those who are fairly passive in their deviant practices of taking bribes, gratuities, and unsolicited protection.

Infractions such as prostitution, gambling, and drug use that do not carry the moral opprobrium of other crimes.

The phenomenon in which a person whith expertise or status in one area is given deference in all areas.

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Refers to laws that protect individuals from hurting themselves. Such as seat belts laws.

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A legal test of insanity

Meat eaters deviant officers who engage in shakedowns, "shop" at burglary scenes, and engage in more deviant practices that "grass eaters"

Idea that principles of morals and rights are inherent in nature and not human-made; such laws are discovered by reason but exitst apart from humankind.

Bad acts that are done for the good end of crime control.

A schema or organization of knowledge; a way of seeing the world.

Model of the juvenile justice system that describes the state as a substitute for parents

The ethical system that is based on religious beliefs of good and evel; what is good is that which is God's will.

An approach to corrective justice that focuses on meeting the needs of all concerned.

The proposition that officer alone is deviant and that it was simply a mistake to hire him or her.

A panel of people selected by the defense attorney to represent the actual jury; sits through the trial and provides feedback to the attorney on the evidence presented during the trial.

The concept developed by Hobbes, Rousseau, and Locke in which the state of nature is a "war of all against all" and , thus, individuals give up their liberty to aggress against others in return for safety; the contract is between society, which promises protection, and the individual, who promises to abide by laws.

Individual discretion in applying the law.

Actions that are commendable but not required in order for a person to be considerd moral.

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The ethical system that claims that the greatest good is that which results in the greatest happiness for the greatest number; major proponents are Bentham and Mill.

Judgments of desirability, worth, or imprtance.

The law endorcement approach whereby small violations and ordinaces are enforced to the maximum with the expectation that this will reduce more serious crime.