1.1: Overview, Objectives, and Key Terms
Overview
This module is to provide you with a foundation of the key concepts of the criminal court process and procedures. The American justice system is founded on the belief that the accused are innocent until proven guilty. To ensure this, the system is founded on the principles of equal justice, due process,and fundamental fairness. After we discuss these concepts, we will also investigate other important concepts such as criminology theories on the causes of crime. We also focus on the value of empirical evidence and how this helps develop evidence-based policies and programs in the criminal court processes.
- Be able to define and discuss the terms of due process, fundamental fairness, and due process.
- Identify how of the Crime Control Model (CCM) and Due Process Model (DPM) and how they similar and different in how the view the criminal justice process.
- Identify the pros and cons of the CCM and DPM and demonstrate how these two models can work together.
- Explain the value of empirical evidence and the scientific method in the criminal justice system/criminal court processes.
- Be able to identify and define the key components of a "Good" theory.
- Explain the importance and value of evidence-based practices in the criminal justice system
Key Terms
due process, procedural due process, substantive due process, fundamental fairness,incorporation doctrine, equal justice, social contract theory, crime control model, due processmodel, empirical evidence, scientific method, hypothesis, theory, positivism, evidence-based practices