CCJ 200 Study Guide
McCleskey V. ZantOn this appeal of the 1987 McCleskey case, the Court produced new standards designed to make it much more difficult for death-row inmates to file repeated appeals.
Gregg V. GeorgiaThe 1976 Supreme Court decision that upheld the constitutionality of the death penalty, stating, "It is an extreme sanction, suitable to the most extreme of crimes." The court did not, therefore, believe that the death sentence constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.
Furman V. GeorgiaPut a moratorium on the death penalty but did not make it illegal overall. Before states could reinstate the death penalty they had to prove it wasn't being used in a discriminatory manner
Writ of habeas corpusa court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person
Victim-impact statementStatement given by the victim, victim's family and friends, which is given after the verdict of guilty has been rendered (either before or after sentencing, depending on the state), that informs the jury or judge or court the "IMPACT" or loss caused by the convicted person's actions.
Truth in Sentencinga sentencing scheme requiring that offenders serve at least 85% of their original sentence before being eligible for parole or other forms of early release
Structured sentencingA model of criminal punishment that includes determinate and commission-created presimptive sentencing schemes, as well as voluntary/advisory sentencing guidelines.
Retributionpunishment that is considered to be morally right and fully deserved
Restorative justicefocuses on restoring the good that has been harmed by criminal activity for the victims, the community and the offender
Rehabilitationa program for reforming the offender to prevent later offenses
Mitigating circumstancescircumstances relating to the commission of a crime that may be considered to reduce the blameworthiness of the defendant.
Mandatory sentencinga criminal sentence
Gregg V. GeorgiaThe 1976 Supreme Court decision that upheld the constitutionality of the death penalty, stating, "It is an extreme sanction, suitable to the most extreme of crimes." The court did not, therefore, believe that the death sentence constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.
Furman V. GeorgiaPut a moratorium on the death penalty but did not make it illegal overall. Before states could reinstate the death penalty they had to prove it wasn't being used in a discriminatory manner
Writ of habeas corpusa court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person
Victim-impact statementStatement given by the victim, victim's family and friends, which is given after the verdict of guilty has been rendered (either before or after sentencing, depending on the state), that informs the jury or judge or court the "IMPACT" or loss caused by the convicted person's actions.
Truth in Sentencinga sentencing scheme requiring that offenders serve at least 85% of their original sentence before being eligible for parole or other forms of early release
Structured sentencingA model of criminal punishment that includes determinate and commission-created presimptive sentencing schemes, as well as voluntary/advisory sentencing guidelines.
Retributionpunishment that is considered to be morally right and fully deserved
Restorative justicefocuses on restoring the good that has been harmed by criminal activity for the victims, the community and the offender
Rehabilitationa program for reforming the offender to prevent later offenses
Mitigating circumstancescircumstances relating to the commission of a crime that may be considered to reduce the blameworthiness of the defendant.
Mandatory sentencinga criminal sentence