Criminal Justice Practice Exam

Under which societal conditions does the crime control model typically dominate criminal justice?

1. Human rights

2. Rehabilitation

3. Crime control model itself

4. Claim of right doctrine

The correct answer is: Crime control model itself

The crime control model is a framework within the criminal justice system that prioritizes the repression of criminal activity and focuses on maintaining public order. It typically thrives in societal conditions characterized by a strong emphasis on law and order, often in response to perceived crime rates or threats to safety. When public concern about crime escalates, the crime control model tends to gain prominence. This model often supports more aggressive law enforcement tactics, promotes swift and severe penal measures, and may limit the focus on offenders' rights in favor of ensuring that societal safety is prioritized. Thus, during times when there is significant societal demand for crime reduction and a heightened sense of insecurity, the crime control model is likely to dominate the criminal justice system. Other contexts, like a strong emphasis on human rights or rehabilitation, would showcase different criminal justice priorities, focusing more on individual rights or the reformative potential of offenders. The claim of right doctrine refers specifically to legal claims concerning ownership or right to property and is not directly related to the overarching priorities of the criminal justice model. Accordingly, in conditions where crime control becomes a primary societal concern, it is evident why this model would dominate.