CHAPTER 1
CRIMINAL JUSTICE TODAY
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After reading this chapter, students should be able to:
1. Describe the two most common models that show how society determines which
acts are criminal.
2. Define crime.
3. Outline the three levels of law enforcement.
4. List the essential elements of the corrections system.
5. Explain the difference between the formal and informal criminal justice processes.
6. Define ethics and describe the role that they play in discretionary decision making.
7. Contrast the crime control and due process models.
8. List the major issues in criminal justice today.
KEY TERMS
(in order of text appearance)
crime (p. 5) An act that violates criminal law and is punishable by criminal sanctions.
,consensus model (p. 5) A criminal justice model in which the majority of citizens share the
same values and beliefs. Criminal acts are acts that conflict with these values and
beliefs and that are deemed harmful to society.
morals (p.6) Principles of right and wrong behavior, as practiced by individuals or by
society.
conflict model (p. 6) A criminal justice model in which the content of criminal law is
determined by the groups that hold economic, political, and social power in a
community.
deviance (p. 7) Behavior that is considered to go against the norms established by society.
criminal justice system (p.7) The interlocking network of law enforcement agencies,
courts, and corrections institutions designed to enforce criminal laws and protect
society from criminal behavior.
justice (p. 8) The quality of fairness that must exist in the processes designed to determine
whether individuals are guilty of criminal wrongdoing.
federalism (p. 9) A form of government in which a written constitution provides for a
division of powers between a central government and several regional
governments.
system (p.13) A set of interacting parts that, when functioning properly, achieve a desired
result.
formal criminal justice process (p.14)The model of the criminal justice process in which
participants follow formal rules to create a smoothly functioning disposition of
cases from arrest to punishment.
,discretion (p. 15) The ability of individuals in the criminal justice system to make
operational decisions based on personal judgment instead of formal rules or official
information.
informal criminal justice process (p.15) A model of the criminal justice system that
recognizes the informal authority exercised by individuals at each step of the
criminal justice process.
ethics (p.16) The moral principles that govern a person’s perception of right and wrong.
crime control model (p. 17) A criminal justice model that places primary emphasis on the
right of society to be protected from crime and violent criminals.
due process model (p. 17) A criminal justice model that places primacy on the right of the
individual to be protected from the power of the government.
biometrics (p.18) Methods to identify a person based on his or her unique physical
characteristics, such as fingerprints or facial configuration.
street gang (p. 19) A group of people, usually three or more, who share a common identity
and engage in illegal activities.
gun control (p. 19) Efforts by a government to regulate or control the sale of guns.
drug (p.20) Any substance that modifies biological, psychological, or social behavior; in
particular, an illegal substance with those properties.
psychoactive drug (p.20) A drug that affects the brain, causing changes in emotions,
perceptions, and behavior.
, homeland security (p.20) A concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the
United States and reduce the country’s vulnerability to terrorism.
terrorism (p. 20) The use or threat of violence to achieve political objectives.
civil liberties (p. 21) The basic rights and freedoms for American citizens guaranteed by the
U.S. Constitution, particularly in the Bill of Rights.
recidivism (p.23)The act of committing a new crime after a person has already been
punished for a previous crime by being convicted and sent to jail or prison.
capital crime (p.23) A criminal act that makes the offender eligible to receive the death
penalty.
CHAPTER OUTLINE
I. What is Crime
A. Determining criminal behavior. Two common models for determining what
acts are criminal (LO 1)
i. Consensus Model
a. Assumes that as people gather together to form a society, its
members naturally come to a basic agreement regarding
shared norms and values
b. Assumes, to a certain extent, that a diverse group of people
can have similar morals
ii. Conflict Model
a. Assumes that different segments of society, separated by
social class, income, age, and race, inevitably have different
value systems and shared norms, and are engaged in a
constant struggle with one another for control of society
b. What is deemed criminal activity is determined by whichever
group happens to be holding power at any given time
CRIMINAL JUSTICE TODAY
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After reading this chapter, students should be able to:
1. Describe the two most common models that show how society determines which
acts are criminal.
2. Define crime.
3. Outline the three levels of law enforcement.
4. List the essential elements of the corrections system.
5. Explain the difference between the formal and informal criminal justice processes.
6. Define ethics and describe the role that they play in discretionary decision making.
7. Contrast the crime control and due process models.
8. List the major issues in criminal justice today.
KEY TERMS
(in order of text appearance)
crime (p. 5) An act that violates criminal law and is punishable by criminal sanctions.
,consensus model (p. 5) A criminal justice model in which the majority of citizens share the
same values and beliefs. Criminal acts are acts that conflict with these values and
beliefs and that are deemed harmful to society.
morals (p.6) Principles of right and wrong behavior, as practiced by individuals or by
society.
conflict model (p. 6) A criminal justice model in which the content of criminal law is
determined by the groups that hold economic, political, and social power in a
community.
deviance (p. 7) Behavior that is considered to go against the norms established by society.
criminal justice system (p.7) The interlocking network of law enforcement agencies,
courts, and corrections institutions designed to enforce criminal laws and protect
society from criminal behavior.
justice (p. 8) The quality of fairness that must exist in the processes designed to determine
whether individuals are guilty of criminal wrongdoing.
federalism (p. 9) A form of government in which a written constitution provides for a
division of powers between a central government and several regional
governments.
system (p.13) A set of interacting parts that, when functioning properly, achieve a desired
result.
formal criminal justice process (p.14)The model of the criminal justice process in which
participants follow formal rules to create a smoothly functioning disposition of
cases from arrest to punishment.
,discretion (p. 15) The ability of individuals in the criminal justice system to make
operational decisions based on personal judgment instead of formal rules or official
information.
informal criminal justice process (p.15) A model of the criminal justice system that
recognizes the informal authority exercised by individuals at each step of the
criminal justice process.
ethics (p.16) The moral principles that govern a person’s perception of right and wrong.
crime control model (p. 17) A criminal justice model that places primary emphasis on the
right of society to be protected from crime and violent criminals.
due process model (p. 17) A criminal justice model that places primacy on the right of the
individual to be protected from the power of the government.
biometrics (p.18) Methods to identify a person based on his or her unique physical
characteristics, such as fingerprints or facial configuration.
street gang (p. 19) A group of people, usually three or more, who share a common identity
and engage in illegal activities.
gun control (p. 19) Efforts by a government to regulate or control the sale of guns.
drug (p.20) Any substance that modifies biological, psychological, or social behavior; in
particular, an illegal substance with those properties.
psychoactive drug (p.20) A drug that affects the brain, causing changes in emotions,
perceptions, and behavior.
, homeland security (p.20) A concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the
United States and reduce the country’s vulnerability to terrorism.
terrorism (p. 20) The use or threat of violence to achieve political objectives.
civil liberties (p. 21) The basic rights and freedoms for American citizens guaranteed by the
U.S. Constitution, particularly in the Bill of Rights.
recidivism (p.23)The act of committing a new crime after a person has already been
punished for a previous crime by being convicted and sent to jail or prison.
capital crime (p.23) A criminal act that makes the offender eligible to receive the death
penalty.
CHAPTER OUTLINE
I. What is Crime
A. Determining criminal behavior. Two common models for determining what
acts are criminal (LO 1)
i. Consensus Model
a. Assumes that as people gather together to form a society, its
members naturally come to a basic agreement regarding
shared norms and values
b. Assumes, to a certain extent, that a diverse group of people
can have similar morals
ii. Conflict Model
a. Assumes that different segments of society, separated by
social class, income, age, and race, inevitably have different
value systems and shared norms, and are engaged in a
constant struggle with one another for control of society
b. What is deemed criminal activity is determined by whichever
group happens to be holding power at any given time
