Criminal Justice Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Criminal Justice facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What federal agency oversees federal prisons in the United States? → Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
2. Which type of correctional facility houses the most serious offenders with the highest security measures? → Maximum security prison
3. When should you change an answer during exam review? → Only when you have a clear, specific reason to believe the original answer was wrong
4. A fixed sentence, often known as a ____, is an imprisoning term of a certain length of time. → Determinate
5. What is paper trading? → Practicing trading with simulated money to test strategies without financial risk
6. Which constitutional amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures? → Fourth Amendment
7. What is a parole officer's primary responsibility? → Supervising parolees to ensure compliance with conditions of release
8. What should you do the night before an important exam? → Review key concepts briefly, prepare materials for exam day, and get adequate sleep
9. What is a 'Terry stop' in law enforcement? → A brief investigative detention based on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity
10. Miranda warnings must be given to a suspect before which action? → Custodial interrogation
11. A punishment based on the principle of "an eye for an eye" → Retribution
12. In a trial, the defense lawyer... → Includes evidence that supports the innocence of the accused
13. What is 'community policing'? → A strategy focusing on partnerships between police and community members to solve problems
14. How should you manage test anxiety? → Use preparation, deep breathing, positive self-talk, and arrive early to feel in control
15. What landmark Supreme Court case established the exclusionary rule applies to state courts? → Mapp v. Ohio
16. One who fights for the preservation of individual rights during the criminal justice process. → Individual order advocate
17. What is the 'exclusionary rule' in criminal law? → A rule barring illegally obtained evidence from trial
18. What does the 'broken windows' theory of policing propose? → That minor disorder and petty crime, if left unaddressed, encourage more serious crimes
19. What is the purpose of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in corrections? → To help offenders identify and change thinking patterns that lead to criminal behavior
20. What is the legal term for a formal written accusation issued by a grand jury? → Indictment
21. What does 'reentry' refer to in the corrections context? → The process of transitioning from incarceration back into the community
22. What is 'recidivism' in criminal justice? → The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend
23. A judge decides cases that cannot be resolved through a plea agreement or a jury trial in: → Bench trial
24. Which Supreme Court case established the right to counsel for indigent defendants in felony cases? → Gideon v. Wainwright
25. What is the 'medical model' of corrections? → A view that criminal behavior is a condition that can be treated and rehabilitated
26. Since the middle of the 1970s, sentence trends have tended to → Decrease judicial and parole board discretion
27. When the crown prosecutor is required to prove every element of a case, what is it called? → Onus of Proof
28. What is referred to as ___ incapacitation concentrates on criminals with a high probability of serious recidivism. → Selective
29. Which federal agency serves as the primary investigative body for violations of federal criminal law? → Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
30. The Sixth Amendment guarantees a defendant the right to which of the following? → A speedy and public trial by an impartial jury