Criminological Vocabulary and Legal Systems Notes

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APUNTES CRIMINOLOGICAL ENGLISH Bachelor's Degree in Criminology University of Barcelona AprenAI 2026-2027 Study notes on criminological terminology, criminal vs civil law, court actors, UK courts, and prison classifications for Anglès Criminològic at UB. APREN.AI Contents 1 Core Criminological Terminology and Offence Classifications Foundations of Crime and Offences Crimes Against Property and Violent Crimes 2 Courts, Legal Professionals and Criminal Proceedings Criminal Law vs.

Civil Law Court Actors and Legal Professions Procedural Systems, Appeals, and Court Hierarchy 3 Punishment, Prison and Alternatives to Custody Evolution of Penal Sanctions and Corrections Custodial Typologies and Prison Categorization Supervised Liberty: Probation and Parole 4 Summary for Review Core Criminological Terms and Offences Legal Systems, Court Actors and Proceedings Penology, Prison Classification and Supervised Release Answers to the review questions These notes may contain errors or omissions. They are study support and do not replace the official syllabus or your teachers: check important information.

Criminological Vocabulary and Legal Systems Notes 1 1 Core Criminological Terminology and Offence Classifications BY THE END YOU WILL BE ABLE TO Distinguish between criminal law definitions of felonies and misdemeanors. Differentiate theft, burglary, and robbery based on their specific legal elements. Explain the legal variance between murder and manslaughter. THINK BEFORE YOU READ 1 Can taking a wallet on a train and snatching it while brandishing a weapon be charged as the exact same crime? Foundations of Crime and Offences Understanding criminology requires precise terminology to distinguish between formal legal transgressions and informal social deviations.

A crime is defined as a violation of societal rules of behaviour, interpreted and expressed through a criminal legal code established by authorities holding social and political power. Those who violate these codified rules face official sanctions from state authorities, along with social stigma and loss of status depending on public perception. An offence represents a broader category, denoting the act of breaking a rule. This encompasses both a moral or social transgression and a formal violation of statutory law. In legal systems, crimes are categorized according to severity: Misdemeanor: A minor misdeed or less serious criminal offence.

It is typically punishable by monetary fines, detention up to one year in jail, or both. Felony: A grave criminal violation, such as murder, robbery, or rape. It carries more stringent sentences, usually exceeding one year of incarceration. The institutional framework addressing these acts is criminal justice: a structured system of law enforcement, legal professionals, the judiciary, corrections, and supervision agencies directly responsible for the apprehension, prosecution, defence, sentencing, and reintegration of suspects and offenders. CHECK 2 How does a misdemeanor differ from a felony in terms of custodial penalties?

Crimes Against Property and Violent Crimes The primary property crimes include: Criminological Vocabulary and Legal Systems Notes 2 Offence Defining Elements Distinguishing Factor Theft Dishonest taking of another person's property without permission. Intention to permanently deprive the rightful owner of possession, regardless of value. Burglary Unlawful entry into a building or premises. Conducted specifically with the prior intent to commit theft inside. Robbery Unlawful appropriation of property from an individual. Carried out through the active use of violence or intimidation.

Crimes committed against persons primarily involve homicide, which serves as the overarching legal term for the killing of one human being by another. Within this category, jurisprudence distinguishes between two principal mental states: Murder: The planned and intentional unlawful killing of a human being. Manslaughter: An unlawful killing conducted without premeditated intent. COMMON ERROR Confusing theft, burglary, and robbery causes severe point deductions. Remember: entering a building unlawfully to steal constitutes burglary; applying force or threat against a person makes it robbery; taking property without force or breaking in is plain theft.

CHECK 3 What key psychological distinction separates murder from manslaughter? OUTLINE Classification of Property and Violent Offences Property Offences Violations concerning ownership rights Theft Dishonest taking to deprive owner permanently Burglary Entering premises intending to steal Robbery Taking property using violence or intimidation Violent Offences (Homicide) Unlawful killing of human beings Murder Planned and intentional homicide Manslaughter Unplanned, non-premeditated homicide Criminological Vocabulary and Legal Systems Notes 3 KEY IDEAS A crime is an infraction of state-codified rules entailing official penal sanctions and social stigma.

Felonies are severe crimes punished by more than one year in custody, whereas misdemeanors entail fines or sentences under one year. Robbery requires violence or intimidation, burglary requires entering premises with intent to steal, and theft is unauthorized appropriation. Homicide splits into murder (planned killing) and manslaughter (unplanned killing). CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING 4. What separates burglary from simple theft? 5. Why is robbery classified distinctly from standard theft? Quiz Circle the correct answer. The answers are at the end. 6. Which criminal category includes offenses punishable by up to one year of imprisonment or fines? 7.

Taking property by using active threats or physical force is defined as: 8. Which characteristic differentiates murder from manslaughter? 9.

Entering a private warehouse with the specific goal of stealing equipment is: Probation a) Misdemeanor b) Felony c) Indictable offence d) Burglary a) Theft b) Robbery c) Manslaughter d) Premeditated planning behind the killing a) The administrative branch enforcing prosecution b) The location where the incident occurred c) The value of the stolen goods d) Manslaughter a) Misdemeanor b) Burglary c) Theft d) Criminological Vocabulary and Legal Systems Notes 4 2 Courts, Legal Professionals and Criminal Proceedings BY THE END YOU WILL BE ABLE TO Contrast the institutional scope of criminal law with civil law. Differentiate the courtroom functions of solicitors, barristers, and prosecutors.

Compare the inquisitorial model of criminal proceedings with the accusatorial model. THINK BEFORE YOU READ 10 Why would an innocent defendant agree to admit guilt before a judge even hears the trial? Criminal Law vs. Civil Law Criminal law regulates dangerous or harmful behaviors and acts that impact the broader community. It defines specific prohibited activities and prescribes state-enforced punishments. Assessing criminality requires evaluating mental capacity, conduct, personal responsibility, and valid defences (with exceptions such as sleepwalking).

While criminal proceedings are typically led by the state (for instance, mandatory prosecution in Germany), England also accommodates private prosecutions under certain conditions. In contrast, civil law governs private transactions and disputes arising directly between private individuals. Court Actors and Legal Professions Courtrooms bring together specialized legal practitioners with specific procedural jurisdictions: Judge: A public official empowered to hear legal cases in court and deliver binding judicial rulings.

Solicitor (UK): A legal professional who advises clients on legal matters, drafts formal documentation, prepares case files for barristers, and represents parties in lower courts. Barrister (UK): A specialist advocate authorized to argue cases before superior jurisdictions, having been formally called to the bar to plead before higher courts. Attorney (US): A general practitioner legally certified to represent clients in legal procedures and trials. Prosecutor: An official who initiates and conducts formal criminal action against an accused party. In the US, a prosecuting attorney represents the state and public within a defined judicial district. Bar vs.

Judiciary: The bar designates attorneys considered collectively as advocates, whereas the judiciary represents the branch of central state power charged with administering justice. Parties to a dispute: The party initiating litigation was traditionally known as the plaintiff (now predominantly termed the claimant), while the party defending against the claim or charge is the defendant. Criminological Vocabulary and Legal Systems Notes 5 TO REMEMBER In the British system, think of the division of labour: the solicitor prepares the case in the office, while the barrister pleads before the judge at the bar.

CHECK 11 What is the primary operational distinction between a solicitor and a barrister in the UK? Procedural Systems, Appeals, and Court Hierarchy Criminal procedures operate under two classical models: Inquisitorial system: Judicial inquiries are largely secret; the prosecutor or investigating magistrate actively questions the accused while functioning simultaneously as an investigator and judge. Accusatorial (adversarial) system: Accusations are tried publicly in an open contest where the judge remains an impartial arbiter independent of the prosecutor.

Judicial systems maintain multi-tier structures allowing appeals on grounds such as police malpractice, judicial bias, wrongful withholding of evidence, or flawed forensic analysis. Often, trials do not occur due to plea bargaining, an agreement where defendants concede guilt in exchange for lesser penalties—a process that carries the structural risk of pressuring innocent defendants into confessions. In England and Wales, the Criminal Justice System involves key agencies: Police Service, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Her Majesty's Courts Service, National Offender Management Service (prisons and probation), and the Youth Justice Board.

These bodies collaborate with criminal justice stakeholders such as Victim Support and local partnerships. Criminological Vocabulary and Legal Systems Notes 6 Esquema de la estructura y vías de apelación judicial de Inglaterra y Gales. The court hierarchy in England and Wales handles disputes through defined tracks. The Magistrates' Court adjudicates summary offences and lower-level civil cases. Indictable crimes and jury trials proceed to the Crown Court. Civil litigation is heard in County Courts, with appeals moving up through the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and finally to the UK Supreme Court on points of law.

CHECK 12 What fundamental role difference distinguishes the judge in an inquisitorial system compared to an accusatorial system? PROCESS Adversarial Criminal Case Progression 1 Apprehension Law enforcement cap tures and detains the suspect 2 Prosecution State prosecutors ini tiate formal criminal charges 3 Plea Bargain or Trial Negotiation of guilt or full courtroom deliberation 4 Judicial Sentencing Judge pronounces le gal sanctions or alternatives Criminological Vocabulary and Legal Systems Notes 7 KEY IDEAS Criminal law addresses acts harmful to society and assigns state punishments, while civil law resolves private conflicts between citizens.

In the UK, solicitors manage case preparation and client advice, while barristers plead in higher courts. Inquisitorial procedures combine prosecutorial and judicial roles in non-public inquiries, unlike public accusatorial contests. Plea bargaining resolves cases prior to trial through negotiated guilty pleas, posing risks of false confessions. CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING 13. What is the term for the party initiating a modern civil legal action? 14. Which grounds justify an appeal within a criminal justice system? Quiz Circle the correct answer. The answers are at the end. 15. Which legal professional in the UK is primarily called to the bar to plead cases in higher courts? 16.

A procedural system where proceedings are secret and the examiner acts as both prosecutor and judge is: 17. What is the main institutional role of the Crown Prosecution Service in England and Wales? 18.

Negotiating an admission of guilt before trial to receive a reduced sanction is termed: Magistrate a) Claimant b) Barrister c) Solicitor d) Accusatorial a) Adversarial b) Inquisitorial c) Civil d) Conducting criminal prosecutions a) Drafting commercial contracts b) Enforcing prison discipline c) Supervising youth community hours d) Probation a) Plea bargaining b) Judicial bias c) Apprehension d) Criminological Vocabulary and Legal Systems Notes 8 3 Punishment, Prison and Alternatives to Custody BY THE END YOU WILL BE ABLE TO Trace the historical development from physical punishment to modern custodial institutions.

Differentiate the four prison security categories (A to D) alongside Supermax facilities. Distinguish between probation and parole within community corrections. THINK BEFORE YOU READ 19 Why is giving an offender probation fundamentally different from granting them parole? Evolution of Penal Sanctions and Corrections Imprisonment has formed the dominant punishment in western societies for the past 200 years. Prior historical eras relied predominantly on physical punishments such as torture using whips. Historical dungeons were originally holding facilities where individuals were detained by force rather than systematic correction.

During the 18th century, early jails resembled boarding houses where wealthy inmates lived in comfort while destitute individuals suffered in squalor. The modern penitentiary was constructed around three distinct operational pillars: Labour discipline Spatial architectural design allowing inexpensive and continuous surveillance Time-based deprivation of liberty quantified in discrete months and years In penology, corrections designates punishments designed to reform or improve convicted individuals, encompassing incarceration, rehabilitation, probation, and parole programs.

DEFINITION Policy: A deliberate course or plan of action established by a government, political party, or administrative body to direct decisions and achieve structured social goals. CHECK 20 What three structural mechanisms underlaid the 18th-century emergence of modern prison systems? Custodial Typologies and Prison Categorization The penal vocabulary clearly distinguishes custodial settings: Institution Jurisdictional Scope Sentence Duration Prison Generic penal establishment housing convicted captives. Sentences exceeding one year. Criminological Vocabulary and Legal Systems Notes 9 Institution Jurisdictional Scope Sentence Duration Jail (US) Local correctional institution.

Sentences under one year or pre-trial detention. Supermax Maximum-security isolation for dangerous offenders. Long-term segregation of extreme public security threats. Prisons segregate inmates through structured security classifications: Category A: Inmates whose escape poses an extreme danger to public safety or national security. Category B: Prisoners who do not demand maximum security, but for whom escape must be made exceptionally difficult. Category C: Inmates who cannot be trusted in open conditions, though they are unlikely to attempt an escape. Category D: Inmates trusted to circulate freely inside prison grounds, needing only to present themselves for daily roll calls.

Supermax facilities: Prisons designed to segregate the "worst of the worst", including convicted terrorists and high-risk inmates. Sociologically, critics view prisons as tools that enforce conformity to middle-class norms and sustain an unequal social hierarchy. A 1998 UK Home Office report observed that prison can operate as an expensive mechanism that makes bad people worse by acting as a total institution that stigmatizes inmates. COMMON ERROR Confusing probation and parole causes frequent exam errors. Probation is an alternative sentence granted to an offender instead of going to prison.

Parole is an early, conditional release granted to a prisoner after serving part of their prison term. Supervised Liberty: Probation and Parole Community management avoids custody while enforcing behavioral oversight: Documented correctional systems (such as in California) highlight significant maintenance costs paid by taxpayers to house inmates serving life sentences. Obtaining parole requires prisoners to complete rehabilitation programs, accumulate merit points, and demonstrate community suitability. In addition, release from prison is a legal right once an individual has served their full sentence. Apprehension: The initial lawful capture and seizure of a suspect by law enforcement.

1 Probation: A judicial measure suspending a custodial sentence and releasing a convicted individual into the community under court-mandated conditions and good behaviour. 2 Parole: The conditional early release of an incarcerated inmate prior to full sentence expiration. The individual remains subject to regular supervision and compliance terms. 3 Criminological Vocabulary and Legal Systems Notes 10 CHECK 21 Why does probation avoid penal incarceration entirely while parole does not? OUTLINE British Prison Security Categories KEY IDEAS Modern imprisonment replaced physical tortures during the 18th century using labour, spatial control, and sentences based on time.

Jails in the US house inmates sentenced to less than one year, while prisons hold individuals serving sentences over one year. Prisoners in England and Wales are grouped into Categories A through D based on their security risk and escape potential. Probation releases an offender directly into the community under conditions without prison time, whereas parole grants conditional early release from custody. CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING 22. What characterizes a Category D prison in the UK security classification? 23. What is the defining purpose of a Supermax correctional facility?

Prison Classification UK security segregation model Category A Extreme danger to national security or public Category B Escape must be made highly difficult Category C Cannot be trusted in open conditions Category D Open conditions with regular roll calls Criminological Vocabulary and Legal Systems Notes 11 Quiz Circle the correct answer. The answers are at the end. 24. Suspending an offender's prison sentence and granting liberty under supervision is known as: 25. What defines Category A prisoners in the British prison classification system? 26. Under US jurisdictional terminology, how do jails differ from prisons? 27.

Releasing an inmate before their sentence concludes under mandatory supervision is called: 4 Summary for Review Core Criminological Terms and Offences Term Definition Crime A violation of societal rules of behaviour codified in criminal law by state authorities, entailing legal sanctions and social stigma. Offence Any violation or transgression of a moral, social, or statutory legal rule. Misdemeanor A less serious criminal offence typically punished by a monetary fine, up to one year in jail, or both. Felony A severe criminal offence (such as murder, robbery, or rape) punishable by more than one year of incarceration.

Theft The dishonest taking of property belonging to another without permission, intending to permanently deprive the owner. Burglary Unlawfully entering a building or premises with the specific intention of committing theft.

Probation a) Parole b) Apprehension c) Incarceration d) Prisoners eligible for immediate parole a) Inmates trusted to walk freely b) Inmates serving less than one year c) Escape would cause high public danger d) Jails hold sentences over five years a) Jails hold sentences under one year b) Jails never hold pre-trial suspects c) Jails only incarcerate violent felons d) Burglary a) Acquittal b) Parole c) Probation d) Criminological Vocabulary and Legal Systems Notes 12 Term Definition Robbery The unlawful appropriation of property from another person through the use of violence or intimidation. Murder The intentional and premeditated unlawful killing of a human being.

Manslaughter An unlawful killing committed without premeditated planning. Legal Systems, Court Actors and Proceedings Concept / Actor Definition and Legal Function Criminal Law The body of law governing dangerous acts against society, specifying offences and state-enforced penalties. Civil Law The legal framework regulating private transactions, obligations, and disputes between individuals. Judge A public official with authority to hear cases in a court of law and pronounce formal rulings. Solicitor (UK) A legal practitioner who advises clients, prepares legal documents, and briefs cases for barristers.

Barrister (UK) A specialist lawyer called to the bar who holds rights of audience to plead before higher courts. Attorney (US) A legal professional qualified to provide legal counsel and represent clients in proceedings. Prosecutor An official who initiates and conducts criminal litigation on behalf of the state and society. Bar vs. Judiciary The bar refers to attorneys collectively; the judiciary is the branch of state authority administering justice. Claimant and Defendant The claimant (formerly plaintiff) initiates a civil action, while the defendant faces the charge or claim.

Inquisitorial System A non-public legal proceeding where the examiner investigates, questions the accused, and serves as judge. Accusatorial System An open adversarial trial where an impartial judge presides independently from the prosecution. Plea Bargaining A pre-trial settlement where a defendant enters a guilty plea in exchange for reduced charges or penalties. Criminological Vocabulary and Legal Systems Notes 13 Penology, Prison Classification and Supervised Release Concept Definition and Key Characteristics Corrections Penal and rehabilitation measures (including prisons, probation, and parole) designed to reform offenders. Prison vs.

Jail (US) Prisons hold convicted individuals serving terms over one year; jails house pre-trial detainees or sentences under one year. Category A (UK) Inmates whose escape poses an extreme danger to the general public or national security. Category B (UK) Inmates not requiring maximum security, but for whom escape must be made exceptionally difficult. Category C (UK) Inmates who cannot be trusted in open conditions but are considered unlikely to attempt an escape. Category D (UK) Open prison housing trusted inmates who move freely inside grounds and attend regular roll calls. Supermax High-security facilities designed to segregate extreme public security threats, such as terrorists.

Apprehension The lawful physical seizure, capture, or arrest of a criminal suspect by law enforcement. Probation A community sentence suspending imprisonment and releasing the convicted individual under court supervision. Parole Conditional early release granted to an incarcerated person prior to the end of their sentence, subject to monitoring. Criminological Vocabulary and Legal Systems Notes 14 Answers to the review questions 1. No; simple taking without force is theft, whereas brandishing a weapon or intimidating the victim elevates the act to robbery. 2.

A misdemeanor entails incarceration of up to one year (typically in jail), whereas a felony incurs more stringent punishment exceeding one year of imprisonment. 3. Murder involves premeditated, planned intention, whereas manslaughter denotes an unlawful killing that lacks premeditation. 4. Burglary requires the specific element of unlawfully entering a building or premises with the intent to steal. 5. Robbery specifically involves taking property through the direct application of physical violence or intimidation. 6. b) Misdemeanor. Misdemeanors are minor offenses carrying penalties of a fine, jail up to one year, or both. 7. c) Robbery.

Robbery requires the unlawful taking of property through violence or intimidation. 8. a) Premeditated planning behind the killing. Murder is premeditated and planned, whereas manslaughter is an unplanned unlawful killing. 9. c) Burglary. Entering a building or premises with the intent to commit theft defines burglary. 10. Through plea bargaining, defendants might plead guilty to guarantee a lenient sentence and avoid the risk of severe custodial penalties. 11. Solicitors advise clients and draft documents for case preparation, while barristers possess audience rights to argue and plead directly in higher courts. 12.

In an inquisitorial model, the investigator or prosecutor can act as the judge, whereas in an accusatorial system, the judge remains an impartial referee detached from the prosecution. 13. The claimant (formerly referred to as the plaintiff). 14. Appeals can be grounded on police misconduct, hidden or withheld evidence, judicial bias, or flawed forensic findings. 15. c) Barrister. Barristers are authorized advocates called to the bar to argue before superior courts. 16. c) Inquisitorial. Inquisitorial systems combine questioning, prosecutorial, and judicial functions within non-public inquiries. 17. a) Conducting criminal prosecutions.

The CPS is the principal agency responsible for conducting public criminal prosecutions. 18. b) Plea bargaining. Plea bargaining involves pre-trial negotiations where an admission of guilt leads to lesser sentences. 19. Probation is ordered instead of going to prison, whereas parole releases someone early who is already serving time behind bars. 20. Modern prisons were built upon strict labour discipline, specialized spatial design for inexpensive surveillance, and sentences measured in units of time. 21. Probation suspends the prison sentence at the moment of sentencing, whereas parole is granted only after an inmate has served a portion of their term behind bars.

Criminological Vocabulary and Legal Systems Notes 15 22. Category D represents an open prison where trusted inmates roam freely inside and attend regular daily roll calls. 23. To isolate the most dangerous inmates, such as terrorists, who present severe hazards to national security. 24. a) Probation. Probation suspends incarceration entirely, granting conditional community freedom. 25. d) Escape would cause high public danger. Category A inmates present serious threats to public safety or national security should they escape. 26. b) Jails hold sentences under one year. Jails accommodate individuals sentenced to less than one year, whereas prisons accommodate longer sentences. 27. c) Parole.

Parole is the early, conditional release of an incarcerated person subject to monitoring. Criminological Vocabulary and Legal Systems Notes 16