Criminal Justice Cheat Sheet

The core ideas of Criminal Justice distilled into a single, scannable reference — perfect for review or quick lookup.

PiqCue — piqcue.com/criminal-justice/cheatsheet

Quick Reference

Due Process

The constitutional guarantee that all legal proceedings will be fair and that individuals will be given notice and an opportunity to be heard before the government acts to take away their life, liberty, or property. Due process is enshrined in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.

Mens Rea

A Latin term meaning 'guilty mind,' referring to the mental state or intent required to establish criminal liability. Different crimes require different levels of mens rea, ranging from purposeful intent to criminal negligence.

Plea Bargaining

A negotiation between the prosecution and defense in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge or to one of multiple charges in exchange for a more lenient sentence or the dismissal of other charges. Over 90% of criminal cases in the U.S. are resolved through plea bargains.

Mass Incarceration

The substantial increase in the number of incarcerated individuals in the United States beginning in the 1970s, driven by the War on Drugs, mandatory minimum sentencing laws, and three-strikes legislation. The U.S. incarcerates more people per capita than any other nation.

Restorative Justice

An approach to justice that focuses on repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior through cooperative processes that include all stakeholders: the victim, the offender, and the community. It emphasizes accountability, making amends, and healing rather than punishment alone.

Probable Cause

The legal standard by which a police officer has the right to make an arrest, conduct a search, or obtain a warrant. It requires a reasonable basis for believing that a crime has been or is being committed, based on factual evidence rather than mere suspicion.

Recidivism

The tendency of a previously convicted criminal to reoffend. Recidivism rates are a key metric for evaluating the effectiveness of correctional programs, rehabilitation efforts, and reentry services.

Deterrence Theory

A criminological theory holding that people are discouraged from committing crimes by the threat of punishment. General deterrence aims to prevent crime among the population at large, while specific deterrence targets the individual offender to prevent repeat offenses.

Exclusionary Rule

A legal rule that prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in a criminal trial. Established through Weeks v. United States (1914) and extended to state courts via Mapp v. Ohio (1961), it serves to deter unlawful police conduct.

Sentencing Disparity

Differences in the severity of sentences imposed on offenders convicted of similar crimes, often correlated with factors such as race, socioeconomic status, geography, or the discretion of individual judges. Reducing sentencing disparity is a major goal of criminal justice reform.

Key Terms at a Glance

Actus Reus:The physical act or unlawful omission that constitutes the criminal offense.

Arraignment:A court proceeding in which the defendant is formally charged and enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

Bail:Money or property deposited with the court to secure a defendant's release from custody and ensure their appearance at trial.

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt:The standard of proof required to convict a criminal defendant, meaning guilt must be established to a near certainty.

Burden of Proof:The obligation to prove one's case in court; in criminal law it rests entirely on the prosecution.

Corrections:The branch of the criminal justice system responsible for supervising convicted offenders through imprisonment, probation, or parole.

Deterrence:The use or threat of punishment to discourage individuals or the general public from committing crimes.

Discovery:The pre-trial process in which both prosecution and defense exchange evidence and information relevant to the case.

Double Jeopardy:The constitutional protection preventing a person from being tried twice for the same offense after acquittal or conviction.

Due Process:The constitutional guarantee of fair treatment through the normal judicial system, especially as a citizen's entitlement.

Felony:A serious criminal offense typically punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death.

Grand Jury:A body of citizens that reviews evidence to determine whether sufficient grounds exist to bring criminal charges.

Habeas Corpus:A legal order requiring that a detained person be brought before a court to determine the lawfulness of their detention.

Incapacitation:A sentencing goal that removes offenders from society through imprisonment to prevent future criminal acts.

Indictment:A formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that sufficient evidence exists to bring a defendant to trial.

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