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Criminal Justice 101
1. do you know the difference between probation and parole? Probation is mostly for misdomeanors, although there is probation for some lesser felonies if you have minimal criminal history. It is a sentence, usually 1-2 years. Parole is what follows time in prison. In some states, it's used foe early release - as in, you've been good, we'll let you out on parole. Some states have mandatory parole, as in someone would do their 5 year prison sentence, maybe get out early, maybe not, and still have 2-3 years of parole afterwards.
2. the difference between jail and prison? Jail is on the city or county level. You get a DUI or don't pay your traffic fines, you will go to jail. can be while you wait to go to court, or you can be sentenced to jail after court - usualyl for time less than a year. You can only be sentenced to prison, and only for a felony, particularly more severe felonies.
3. the difference between bail and bond? Some of you guys actually got this one right. Bail is an amount of money you can pay to get out of jail prior to going to court. If you dont' have the money to post bail, you can contact a bondsman who will post bail for you, then you pay the bondsman back. Here's a website that explains it well -
4. does your state use the death penalty? more states have the death penalty than y'all think... http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/states-and-without-death-penalty
5. What is community corrections? community corrections is a halfway house. Most offenders transition through a halfway house after prison but before their parole. They live there, are required to start working and pay rent. they screw up = back to prison. Other offenders can come to community corrections as a diversion from prison. Like they have felonies, but they are being granted a chance to clean up instrad of going to prison. Most of them have pending prison sentences. They are sentenced TO community corrections (often for several years), and if they screw up, then they are sentenced to prison instead. If they succeed, they don't have to go to prison.
6. What's the difference between a misdoneanor and a felony? misdemeanor offenses are more minor - traffic offenses actuallt don't count as msidomeanors, they're a level below. some possession charges, drinking as a minor, DUI, petty theft, shoplifting. Felonies are more serious.
7. are those with felonies allowed to vote? yes and no. Not while they are under supervision (probation, parole, or incarcerated) but can vote once they complete their sentence.
questions?
Thank you guys so much for your help. My supervisor thinks community education about the CJ system is unnecessary. I beg to differ, because I don't think that most people know this stuff.
Re: Criminal Justice 101
you are secretly a criminal, aren't you? I knew it...
secretly...i am a judge. THATS why im so judgey! *bangs gavel*
I will add 2 things.
6- There are actually 4 types of offenses- the first category, status offenses, are a violation that you have made to the law based on your current status (ie: a minor missing curfew). The second type is a regulatory infraction, meaning you violated a law but did not commit a criminal act (ie: speeding within a certain number of miles of the speed limit, etc. you lack the actual intent to commit a crime). The definition of a misdamenor is a criminal act with a penalty of less than 1 year in custody (jail or prison). The entire sentence does not have to be less than one year (ie- they can be on supervised release or parole afterward), but actual time in custody up to 364 days. The last one, a felony, is defined as a serious criminal act with a penalty of more than 1 year in custody.
7- This actually depends on the state. For example, in VA, felons were not allowed to vote at all until 2004 when a governor reinstated them. Then, the legislature limited that in 2005, to say only non-violent felons could vote. Both policies are actually contrary to the VA state constitution which forbids felons from ever voting again. Now, VA felons can vote but only after removing "political disabilities" including successfully paying restitution and having 5 years pass between their release and their re-registration.
DC on the other hand has a court case the overturned the statute that forbade felons from voting because it disenfranchised such a large segment of the population that their elections were suspect under the basic tenants of democracy, so all felons in DC can vote once released.
Wanna know where yours stands? http://www.ncsl.org/default.aspx?tabid=16529
Stand up for something you believe in.
I knew 6 got more complicated than that!
And I had no idea voting varied by state, I assumed that was a federal regulation, not a state one. interesting! In CO, it's once your sentence has been completed, you are allowed to vote. Thanks for clarifying Mary!
DED.
I knew that stuff, but because of the field I work in.
The only difference is in MA community corrections includes people who live at home, and they have to go to a day reporting center. The reporting center can sometimes include day treatment. This is likely due to the shortage of halfway houses in our area.
Neat.
I think I got about 50% right. Not too shabby for someone not involved in the CJ system.
Bahahaha.... I just pictured Steese in a black robe and powdered wig.
updated 10.03.12