Chapter 1

Vocabulary

assault (pg. 7) A threat or an attempt to do violence to another person that causes that
person to fear immediate physical harm.

battery (pg. 7) The act of physically contacting another person with the intent to do
harm, even if the resulting injury is insubstantial.

burglary (pg. 8) The act of breaking into or entering a structure (such as a home or
office) without permission for the purpose of committing a felony.

civil rights (pg. 18) The personal rights and protections guaranteed by the Constitution,
particularly the Bill of Rights.

conflict model (pg. 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.

consensus model (pg. 5) A criminal justice model in which the majority of citizens in a
society share the same values and beliefs. Criminal acts are acts that conflict with these
values and beliefs and that are deemed harmful to society.

crime (pg. 5) An act that violates criminal law and is punishable by criminal sanctions.

crime control model (pg. 18) A criminal justice model that places primary emphasis on
the right of society to be protected from crime and violent criminals.

criminal justice system (pg. 9) The interlocking network of law enforcement agencies,
courts, and corrections institutions designed to enforce criminal laws and protect
society from criminal behavior.

deviance (pg. 7) Behavior that is considered to go against the norms established by
society.

discretion (pg. 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.
due process model (pg. 18) A criminal justice model that places primacy on the right of
the individual to be protected from the power of government.

drug (pg. 21) Any substance that modifies biological, psychological, or social behavior;
in particular, an illegal substance with those properties.

federalism (pg. 10) 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 by the constitution.

gun control (pg. 20) Efforts by a government to regulate or control the sale of guns.

homeland security (pg. 23) A concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks
within the United States and reduce the countrys vulnerability to terrorism.

justice (p. 10) The quality of fairness that must exist in the processes designed to
determine whether individuals are guilty of criminal wrongdoing.

morals (pg. 5) Principles of right and wrong behavior, as practiced by individuals or by
society.

murder (pg. 7) - The unlawful killing of one human being by another.

organized crime (pg. 8) Illegal acts carried out by illegal organizations engaged in the
market for illegal goods or services, such as illicit drugs or firearms.

psychoactive drugs (pg. 21) Chemicals that affect the brain, causing changes in
emotions, perceptions, and behaviors.

public order crime (pg. 8) Behavior that has been labeled criminal because it is contrary
to shared social values, customs, and norms.

robbery (pg. 7) The act of taking property from another person without the use of force
with the intent of keeping that property.

sexual assault (pg. 7) Forced or coerced sexual intercourse (or other sexual acts).

street gang (pg. 22) A group of people, usually three or more, that share a common
identity and engage in illegal activities.
system (p. 15) A set of interacting parts that, when functioning properly, achieve a
desired result.

terrorism (pg. 23) The use or threat of violence to achieve political objectives.

wedding cake model (pg. 16) A wedding cake-shaped model that explains how
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
disposes of quickly and are largely ignored by the media.

white collar crime (pg. 8) Nonviolent crimes committed by business entities or
individuals to gain a personal or business advantage.