CCJS 345 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: General Jurisdiction, Presentence Investigation Report, Presbyterian Polity

• School: University of Maryland
• Department: Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Course: CCJS 345
• Professor: Dr.Anastasia Tosouni

Document Summary

Jurisdiction- fundamental power of the court to inquire into the facts, apply the law, and declare punishment. Require sentences be imposed or permit judge to impose them. In sentences for criminals who have committed similar crimes and have similar criminal histories. Help citizens understand how long a criminal will be confined. Should preserve meaningful judicial discretion and sufficient flexibility to allow individualized sentences. Courts not required to apply sentencing guidelines but required to at least consider. Matrix developed by legislature to ensure policies be fair and proportional. The priority for the capacity and use of correctional facilities should be the confinement of violent and career criminals. Sentence of more than 18 months has to go to correctional facilities. Less than a year and a day cannot. General- deter general population from committing a crime. Judges in md have a lot of discretion when it comes to sentencing. Defendants involvement in other crimes even if acquitted.