Criminal Justice Vocabulary
Across
- 5. Benefit society by dealing early and quickly with delinquent behavior. These often require individualized contracts which may refer the juvenile to counseling, educational/youth programs, and community service.
- 6. Alternative sentencing approach which seeks to address and examine the harmful impact of a crime and then determine what can be done to repair that harm while holding the person who caused it accountable for his or her actions.
- 9. The act of apprehending and taking a person into legal custody, usually because the person has been suspected of or observed committing a crime.
- 12. A Constitutional requirement that applies to most offenders that grants the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, sometimes on condition that a sum of money be lodged to guarantee their appearance in court.
- 13. An actor accused of participating in unlawful behavior as a minor or individual younger than the statutory age of majority.
- 15. A responsibility of the courts, this is the formal process of determining the punishment for one who was convicted or plead guilty to a crime. There is a wide range of potential outcomes at this stage.
- 17. AKA imprisonment, it is the restraint of a person's liberty against their will in a mandated correctional setting.
Down
- 1. Refers to a legal decision to terminate a court case or charge without imposing liability on the defendant.
- 2. A formal reading of a criminal charging document in the presence of the defendant, to inform them of the charges against them. In some jurisdictions, the accused is expected to enter a plea at this point; in other jurisdictions, no plea is required yet.
- 3. This component of the criminal justice system serves a variety of functions related to the punishment, treatment, and supervision of persons who have been convicted of crimes.
- 4. Also known as a prosecutor, they represent the government in criminal cases and are responsible for ensuring that justice is served by prosecuting individuals accused of committing crimes.
- 7. This can consist of physical, scientific, and technological elements and the outcome of many criminal law cases will depend upon its strength and admissibility in the court of law.
- 8. Setting where prosecution occurs when a state or other legal system believes that an individual has committed a crime and charges have been filed.
- 10. While particular laws vary by state, these generally include nonviolent crimes. Less serious crimes.
- 11. Occur when a criminal defendant agrees to admit guilt to a charge or charges related to a criminal offense, in return for reduced charges or sentencing guidelines, rather than making the prosecutor prove their guilt, in a court of law, beyond a reasonable doubt.
- 14. A crime that is considered a serious offense, typically one involving violence, serious injury, and significant loss. A conviction for this type of crime can lead to strict punishments and can result in long incarceration sentences.
- 16. Behavior, either by act or omission, defined by statutory or common law as deserving of punishment or penalty.