CJCENTRAL: Criminal Justice Today, 8E: Glossary

vagrancy (UCR)
An offense related to being a suspicious person, including vagrancy, begging, loitering, and vagabondage.

vandalism (UCR)
The destroying or damaging, or attempting to destroy or damage, public property or the property of another without the owner's consent. This definition of vandalism does not include burning.

venue
The particular geographic area in which a court may hear or try a case. Also, the locality within which a particular crime was committed. See also jurisdiction.

verdict
The decision of the jury in a jury trial or of a judicial officer in a nonjury trial.

victim
A person who has suffered death, physical or mental anguish, or loss of property as the result of an actual or attempted criminal offense committed by another person.

victim-assistance program
An organized program that offers services to victims of crime in the areas of crisis intervention and follow-up counseling and that helps victims secure their rights under the law.

victim-impact statement
The in-court use of victim- or survivor-supplied information by sentencing authorities seeking to make an informed sentencing decision.

victimization
In National Crime Victimization Survey terminology, the harming of any single victim in a criminal incident.

victimology
The scientific study of crime victims and the victimization process. Victimology is a subfield of criminology.

vigilantism
The act of taking the law into one's own hands.

violation
1. The performance of an act forbidden by a statute, or the failure to perform an act commanded by a statute. 2. An act contrary to a local government ordinance. 3. An offense punishable by a fine or other penalty but not by incarceration. 4. An act prohibited by the terms and conditions of probation or parole.

violent crime
A UCR offense category that includes murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.

voluntary/advisory sentencing guidelines
Recommended sentencing policies that are not required by law.

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