Criminal Justice Glossary

Glossary
“wedding cake” model
A wedding cake–shaped model that explains why different cases receive different treatment in the criminal justice system. The cases at the “top” of the cake receive the most attention, while those cases at the “bottom” are disposed of quickly and largely ignored by the media.

assault
A threat or an attempt to do violence to another person that causes thatperson to fear immediate physical harm.

battery
The act of physically contacting another person with the intent to do harm, even if the resulting injury is insubstantial.

burglary
The act of breaking into or entering a structure (such as a home or office) without permission for the purpose of committing a crime.

civil rights
The personal rights and protections guaranteed by theConstitution, particularly the Bill of Rights.

conflict model
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.

consensus model
A criminal justice model that defines criminal behavior as those acts that conflict with the values and beliefs of society as a whole.

crime
An act thatviolates criminal law and is punishable by criminal sanctions.

crime control model
A criminal justice model that places primary emphasis on the right of society to be protected from crime and violent criminals. Crime control values emphasize speed and efficiency in the criminal justice process; the benefits of lower crime rates outweigh any possible costs to individual rights.

criminal justicesystem
The interlocking network of law enforcement agencies, courts, and corrections institutions designed to enforce criminal laws and protect society from criminal behavior.

deviance
Behavior that is considered to go against the norms established by society.

discretion
The ability of individuals in the criminal justice system to make operational decisions based on personal judgmentinstead of formal rules or official information.

drug
Any substance that modifies biological, psychological, or social behavior; in particular, an illegal substance with those properties.

due process model
A criminal justice model that places primacy on the right of the individual to be protected from the power of the government. Due process values hold that the state must prove a person’sguilt within the confines of a process designed to safeguard personal liberties as enumerated in the Bill of Rights.

federalism
A form of government in which a written constitution provides for a division of powers between a central government and several regional governments. In the United States, the division of powers between the federal government and the fifty states is established bythe Constitution.

gun control
Efforts by a government to regulate or control the sale of guns.

homeland security
A concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States and reduce the country’s vulnerability to terrorism.

larceny
The act of taking property from another person without the use of force with the intent of keeping that property.

murder
Theunlawful killing of one human being by another.

organized crime
Illegal acts carried out by illegal organizations engaged in the market for illegal goods or services, such as illicit drugs or firearms.

psychoactive drugs
Chemicals that affect the brain, causing changes in emotions, perceptions, and behavior.

public order crime
Behavior that has been labeled criminal because it iscontrary to shared social values, customs, and norms.

robbery
The act of taking property from another person through force, threat of force, or intimidation.

sexual assault
Forced or coerced sexual intercourse (or other sexual act).

street gang
A group of people, usually three or more, who share a common identity and engage in illegal activities.

terrorism
The use or threat of...