Major Field Test: Criminal Justice (2025) – Comprehensive Study Guide and Exam
Revision Material
Retribution - ANS ✔✔the act of taking revenge on a criminal perpetrator.
Also known as just desserts.
Criminal offenders deserve the punishment they receive at the hands of the law, and that
punishments should be appropriate to the type and severity of the crime committed.
Deterrence - ANS ✔✔a goal that seeks to inhibit criminal behavior through the fear of
punishment; crime prevention
(2 types: Specific and General)
Specific- seeks to prevent a particular offender from engaging in repeat criminality- like points
for speeding
General- seeks to prevent others from committing crimes similar to the one for which a
particular offender is being sentenced by making an example of the person sentenced.
Incapactitation - ANS ✔✔use of imprisionment or other means to reduce the likelihood that an
offender will commit future offenses. Intends o protect the members of society by removing
those who choose not to adhere to the laws.
Rehabilitation - ANS ✔✔the attempt to reform a criminal offender; change the behavior of the
offender, typically through treatment or programs.
Restoration - ANS ✔✔to make the victim whole again
When an individual is victimized by a crime, either property or violent, they and their family
experience trauma
9 Steps in the criminal Justice process - ANS ✔✔Investigate and arrest
Booking
,First appearance
Preliminary hearing
Information and indictment
Arraignment
Trial
Sentencing
Corrections
Probable cause - ANS ✔✔a set of facts and circumstances that would induce a reasonably
intelligent and prudent person to believe that a specified person has committed a specified
crime.
Warrant - ANS ✔✔a writ issued by a judicial officer directing a law enforcement officer to
perform a specified act and affording the officer protection from damages if he or she performs
it
Release of Recognizance - ANS ✔✔The release of a defendant into their own care or care of
another without posting bond.
True Bill - ANS ✔✔is the decision of a grand jury that sufficient evidence exists to indict an
accused person
Arraignment - ANS ✔✔a hearing before the court having jurisdiction in a criminal case where
the identity of the defendant is established; defendant is informed of the charges against him or
her; defendant is informed of his or her rights; and defendants is requested to enter a plea.
Nolo contendere - ANS ✔✔a plea of no contest and is used when the defendant does not wish
to contest conviction.
, 2 types of sentences - ANS ✔✔Consecutive sentences- two or more sentences imposed at the
same time, which are served in sequence with the other sentences
Concurrent sentences- two or more sentences imposed at the same time for more than one
offense and to be served at the same time.
Probation - ANS ✔✔a sentence of imprisonment that is suspended and conditional freedom is
granted to the defendant as long as the person meets certain conditions of behavior
Parole - ANS ✔✔the status of an offender conditionally released from prison by discretion of a
paroling authority prior to the expiration of sentence
Due Process Model - ANS ✔✔a criminal justice perspective that emphasizes individual rights at
all stages of justice system processing
Fourth Amendment - ANS ✔✔Prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures
Exclusionary rule - ANS ✔✔Prohibits use of items obtained as a result of unreasonable search
and seizure as evidence against a criminal defendant
Fifth Amendment - ANS ✔✔Prohibition against double jeopardy
Privilege against forced self-incrimination
Sixth Amendment - ANS ✔✔The right to a jury trail, a public trial, a speedy trail, to confront
witnesses, to compulsory process to obtain witnesses, to assistance of an attorney in all felony
cases, to assistance of an attorney in misdemeanor cases
Eighth Amendment - ANS ✔✔The prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment
Revision Material
Retribution - ANS ✔✔the act of taking revenge on a criminal perpetrator.
Also known as just desserts.
Criminal offenders deserve the punishment they receive at the hands of the law, and that
punishments should be appropriate to the type and severity of the crime committed.
Deterrence - ANS ✔✔a goal that seeks to inhibit criminal behavior through the fear of
punishment; crime prevention
(2 types: Specific and General)
Specific- seeks to prevent a particular offender from engaging in repeat criminality- like points
for speeding
General- seeks to prevent others from committing crimes similar to the one for which a
particular offender is being sentenced by making an example of the person sentenced.
Incapactitation - ANS ✔✔use of imprisionment or other means to reduce the likelihood that an
offender will commit future offenses. Intends o protect the members of society by removing
those who choose not to adhere to the laws.
Rehabilitation - ANS ✔✔the attempt to reform a criminal offender; change the behavior of the
offender, typically through treatment or programs.
Restoration - ANS ✔✔to make the victim whole again
When an individual is victimized by a crime, either property or violent, they and their family
experience trauma
9 Steps in the criminal Justice process - ANS ✔✔Investigate and arrest
Booking
,First appearance
Preliminary hearing
Information and indictment
Arraignment
Trial
Sentencing
Corrections
Probable cause - ANS ✔✔a set of facts and circumstances that would induce a reasonably
intelligent and prudent person to believe that a specified person has committed a specified
crime.
Warrant - ANS ✔✔a writ issued by a judicial officer directing a law enforcement officer to
perform a specified act and affording the officer protection from damages if he or she performs
it
Release of Recognizance - ANS ✔✔The release of a defendant into their own care or care of
another without posting bond.
True Bill - ANS ✔✔is the decision of a grand jury that sufficient evidence exists to indict an
accused person
Arraignment - ANS ✔✔a hearing before the court having jurisdiction in a criminal case where
the identity of the defendant is established; defendant is informed of the charges against him or
her; defendant is informed of his or her rights; and defendants is requested to enter a plea.
Nolo contendere - ANS ✔✔a plea of no contest and is used when the defendant does not wish
to contest conviction.
, 2 types of sentences - ANS ✔✔Consecutive sentences- two or more sentences imposed at the
same time, which are served in sequence with the other sentences
Concurrent sentences- two or more sentences imposed at the same time for more than one
offense and to be served at the same time.
Probation - ANS ✔✔a sentence of imprisonment that is suspended and conditional freedom is
granted to the defendant as long as the person meets certain conditions of behavior
Parole - ANS ✔✔the status of an offender conditionally released from prison by discretion of a
paroling authority prior to the expiration of sentence
Due Process Model - ANS ✔✔a criminal justice perspective that emphasizes individual rights at
all stages of justice system processing
Fourth Amendment - ANS ✔✔Prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures
Exclusionary rule - ANS ✔✔Prohibits use of items obtained as a result of unreasonable search
and seizure as evidence against a criminal defendant
Fifth Amendment - ANS ✔✔Prohibition against double jeopardy
Privilege against forced self-incrimination
Sixth Amendment - ANS ✔✔The right to a jury trail, a public trial, a speedy trail, to confront
witnesses, to compulsory process to obtain witnesses, to assistance of an attorney in all felony
cases, to assistance of an attorney in misdemeanor cases
Eighth Amendment - ANS ✔✔The prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment
