After finishing this chapter, you should be able to:

1.1 List the three primary components of the criminal justice system.

1.2 Identify the paths on which a crime may be handled in the criminal justice system.

1.3 Summarize why consensus for an exact definition of crime is difficult.

1.4 Explain why crime definitions may change over time.

1.5 Review the five perspectives of the criminal justice system.

1.6 Critique how the consensus and conflict models help and hinder public policy.

1.7 Identify key elements in the relationship between crime and the media.

1.8 Differentiate between criminal justice and criminology.