Question 1

Proponents of which justice perspective are concerned about the effect of the stigma that criminal suspects bear when they are given negative labels such as "rapist" or "child molester"?

Accepted Answer

The nonintervention perspective is concerned with the stigma and labeling that can occur with criminal suspects, advocating for minimal involvement of the criminal justice system to avoid these negative effects.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT an example of a way that law enforcement agents and prosecutors exercise discretion of criminal cases?

Accepted Answer

Law enforcement agents and prosecutors do not have the authority to sentence individuals; sentencing is determined by a judge based on the letter of the law and other factors after a conviction has been made. Deciding to make an arrest, substituting charges, and handling a case informally are all examples of discretion in criminal cases.

Question 3

Ethical issues transcend all elements of the justice system. Why are ethical standards so important in criminal justice?

Accepted Answer

Ethical standards are crucial in criminal justice to protect individual rights, handle sensitive information responsibly, and navigate moral complexities effectively, ensuring fairness and integrity in the system.

Question 4

Which perspective on the criminal justice system sees the proper role of the justice system as one that prevents crime through the judicious use of criminal sanctions?

Accepted Answer

The crime control perspective focuses on the prevention of crime by emphasizing the efficient detection of crimes and the effective prosecution and punishment of offenders. It supports the use of criminal sanctions to deter crime and protect society.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about ethics in the criminal justice system is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

Ethical issues in the criminal justice system do not end with the arrest of a suspect. They continue through the entire legal process, including trials, sentencing, and even into the correctional system. This includes considerations of fair treatment, due process, and rehabilitation efforts.

Question 6

Jessica has been in trouble with the law for as long as she can remember. Her first crime was shoplifting a candy bar from the drugstore. Since then she has moved on to more substantial shoplifting and stealing. She is currently on probation and is paying restitution to a victim for a previous theft. Now Jessica has been arrested for home invasion and robbery. As Jessica recalls her past history of stealing and theft, she realizes that her parents weren't around very much and she doesn't remember regularly attending school. Parents and school represent what kind of social control in society?

Accepted Answer

Parents and school are examples of informal social control, which includes the social norms and values that guide individuals' behavior in everyday life, as opposed to formal social control mechanisms like laws and regulations.

Question 7

According to noninterventionists, the efforts to treat offenders may lead to further stigma beyond the scope of the original offense. This is referred to as ______.

Accepted Answer

The term "widening the net of justice" refers to the phenomenon where efforts to treat or rehabilitate offenders inadvertently extend the scope of control, surveillance, or sanctions beyond the original intentions, potentially leading to further stigma or negative consequences for the individuals involved. This concept is often discussed in the context of criminal justice reforms and interventions.

Question 8

Which justice perspective sees the justice system serving as a mechanism of caring for and treating people who cannot manage themselves, and assumes people are at the mercy of social, economic, and interpersonal conditions?

Accepted Answer

The rehabilitation perspective focuses on the justice system as a way to care for and treat individuals who are seen as being unable to manage themselves, often due to various social, economic, and interpersonal conditions. This approach assumes that people commit crimes due to underlying issues that can be addressed through rehabilitative measures.

Question 9

Proponents of which justice perspective believe that the greatest concern of the justice system should be providing fair and equitable treatment to those accused of committing a crime?

Accepted Answer

Proponents of the due process perspective believe that the justice system's primary concern should be ensuring fair and equitable treatment for those accused of committing a crime. This perspective emphasizes the importance of protecting individuals' rights and ensuring that legal procedures are followed correctly to avoid wrongful convictions.

Question 10

The term "widening the net of justice" refers to the idea that ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The term "widening the net of justice"...

Question 11

Which of the following statements about the beliefs of crime control advocates is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

Crime control advocates prioritize the prevention of crime through the deterrence effect of harsh punishments and efficient legal processes. They typically emphasize the importance of a system that quickly and effectively prosecutes and punishes offenders, rather than focusing on rehabilitation.

Question 12

Shoplifting and public drunkenness would be considered _____ of the criminal justice "wedding cake."

Accepted Answer

Shoplifting and public drunkenness are considered less serious offenses and are categorized under Level IV of the criminal justice "wedding cake," which includes misdemeanors and minor infractions.

Question 13

Which perspective on the criminal justice system advocates mediation rather than coercive punishment?

Accepted Answer

Restorative justice emphasizes repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior through cooperative processes including mediation and agreements between victims and offenders, rather than focusing on punishment.

Question 14

Which of the following people would be placed in Level II of the criminal justice "wedding cake"?

Accepted Answer

Level II of the criminal justice "wedding cake" model typically involves serious felonies committed by individuals with a criminal record. These are high-profile cases that receive a lot of attention from the public and media. Choice B, involving a stranger using a weapon to commit a violent act, fits this description as it is a serious felony likely to attract significant attention and concern from the public and authorities.

Question 15

If you believe that procedural fairness, civil rights, and the rule of law are inviolate principles, which perspective on the justice system do you favor?

Accepted Answer

The due process perspective emphasizes procedural fairness, civil rights, and the rule of law, ensuring that individuals are treated fairly and that their rights are protected throughout the legal process.

Question 16

Jessica has been in trouble with the law for as long as she can remember. Her first crime was shoplifting a candy bar from the drugstore. Since then she has moved on to more substantial shoplifting and stealing. She is currently on probation and is paying restitution to a victim for a previous theft. Now Jessica has been arrested for home invasion and robbery. With Jessica's new charge of home invasion and robbery, she will likely be sentenced to prison time. What component of the system will she serve her sentence in?

Accepted Answer

Corrections is the component of the criminal justice system responsible for enforcing sentences handed down by courts, including prison time.

Question 17

Those who hold the rehabilitation perspective on justice believe that people who commit crimes ______.

Accepted Answer

The rehabilitation perspective on justice posits that criminal behavior often stems from underlying social problems such as racism and poverty. Advocates of this view argue that addressing these root causes and rehabilitating offenders can prevent future crimes.

Question 18

What percent of misdemeanors go to trial?

Accepted Answer

Less than 10 percent of misdemeanors go to trial. The vast majority are resolved through plea bargains or other means before reaching trial.

Question 19

Which perspectives of the justice system have tended to dominate during the last few decades?

Accepted Answer

The crime control and due process perspectives have been dominant, focusing on reducing crime through strict enforcement and ensuring fair legal procedures.

Question 20

A case of domestic violence would be considered _____ of the criminal justice "wedding cake."

Accepted Answer

Level III of the criminal justice "wedding cake" typically includes less serious felonies, which can include cases of domestic violence.

Quiz 1: Crime and Criminal Justice