CJ - Criminal Justice Module Overview

Criminal Justice

CJ word cloud star Social scientists from around the world have tried to determine the causes and effects of criminal activity. There are different types of crimes ranging from federal crimes to misdemeanors. In the United States, the criminal justice system consists of two main parts: Law enforcement and corrections. In a criminal justice system, distinct agencies operate together both under the rule of law and as the principal means of maintaining the rule of law within society. The citizens within society have methods of protecting themselves when they are accused of a crime. They have the right to due process under the law. Due process includes the proper steps that take place in the criminal justice process and also encompass the legal steps in a criminal trial. Lastly, when a person has been found guilty of a crime, there are different types of sentences a convicted person can receive. In the "Criminal Justice" module, you will learn about the causes and effects of criminal activity and demonstrate knowledge of the criminal justice process.

Essential Questions

What are the causes and effects of criminal activity?
What is the criminal justice process?

Key Terms

Accused -The defendant in a criminal case
Action- The legal, formal name given to the issues embodied in a complaint against another
Alibi - A reason why a defendant could not have done what they are accused of doing; usually a statement by a witness the defendant was somewhere else
Appeals Court (also called Appellate Court) - A court that reviews decisions made by trial courts because one side in a case is unhappy with the decision and asks for a "second opinion" on review; an appeals court can agree with the trial court and uphold the lower court decision or disagree with the lower court and overturn the decision
Assault - To threaten someone and have the power to carry-out the threat
Award - An official decision by a judge or jury that one party must pay another party a specific amount of money
Bailiff - The law enforcement officer who has jurisdiction or authority in a courtroom
Battery - To strike or hit someone else
Bench - The place in the courtroom where the judge sits
Burden of Proof - The amount of evidence required in a case in order for the jury to find in favor of the person bringing the suit; the more serious the consequences of the case, the greater amount of proof required
Civil Case - A legal action stated against another asking recovery for a private wrong; not a criminal case
Client - A person who employs or retains a lawyer to advise and defend them in a legal matter
Closing Arguments - The opportunity given to the lawyers at the close of testimony to sum up what they believe the jury's verdict should be
Complaint - In civil cases, the legal document that states the reasons why someone is being sued and the relief sought
Confinement - The state of a person who is placed in a jail or prison
Counsel - Lawyer, attorney, or counselor; someone who gives advice in a legal matter
Crime - An act that is harmful to society
Cross Examination - Questioning of a witness of the opponent called by the lawyer
Defendant - A person in a trial who is accused of a crime or some wrongdoing
Defense Attorney - A lawyer who acts on behalf of a defendant on trial
Finding - A decision made by a judge or jury
Grand Jury - A jury that investigates criminal complaints and decides whether someone should be formally charged with committing a crime
Hung Jury - A jury that cannot agree on a verdict; this can result in a new trial before different jurors
Jury - A group of people who have sworn to decide the facts in a court case and to reach a fair verdict, or decision
Juvenile Law - A legal system for people under the age of eighteen that is different in some ways from the adult system
Oath - A formal promise to perform a specific duty or act
Objection - A request by a lawyer during a trial that the judge order a witness not to answer a question asked by the other lawyer... The judge must either "sustain" the objection (agree with it and forbid the witness to answer it) or "overrule" it (allow the question to be asked).
Opening Statements - The presentation made by the lawyers on each side of a case at the start of trial... During opening statements, the issues and facts that will be presented are outlined; the purpose of opening statements is to give the jury an overview of the case so the jurors will be better able to understand the evidence they will hear.
Plaintiff - A person who starts the action, files a complaint, or sues another person
Plea Bargain - A criminal court practice that allows someone charged with a crime to plead guilty to a lesser offense (so there will be no trial) or allows them to plead guilty to the original charge with the prosecutor promising to recommend a particular sentence
Prosecute- To bring someone to trial to obtain a conviction
Plea - An answer to a charge or claim; guilty, not guilty, or no contest
Prosecutor - The government official who is authorized to accuse and prosecute (bring to trial) someone who is believed to have committed a crime... Prosecutors are known by various names in difference places, i.e. district attorney, state's attorney, and people's attorney.
Public Defender - In criminal cases, a lawyer who is appointed and paid by the state or federal government to defend a person who has been accused of committing a crime and who is not able to afford a private attorney
Rest One's Case - An announcement by a lawyer that he or she has finished presenting the evidence for that side
Sentence - In criminal cases, the decision by a judge or jury as to what punishment is appropriate for a convicted defendant
Subpoena - An order signed by a judge or prosecutor requiring the presence of someone in a court on a specific date and time
Summons - An official order issued by a judge or law enforcement official which notifies the person named in the summons that legal action has been started against the person and which tells him or her a date, time, and place they must appear to answer the complaint
Testimony - Evidence given after taking an oath in court to tell the truth; questions answered under oath concerning what one knows about a case being heard in court
Trial - The formal presentation of both sides of a dispute before a judge or jury
Verdict - The decision that a jury or judge makes after hearing and considering all of the evidence and testimony in a case
Witness - Someone who has seen or heard something; someone who provides evidence about something; someone who is officially ordered to testify in a court

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