Ch12 - Criminal Justice Policy in TX

Question 1

Public safety, crime prevention, and enforcement efforts are largely concern of …….

Answer 1

State and local governments

Question 2

3 Methods to Measure Crime

Answer 2

1. Victimization surveys
2. Number of crimes recorded
3. Incarceration rates

Question 3

Index crimes

Answer 3

eight categories of crime used for statistical study by the federal and state governments

Question 4

9/10 of crimes in Texas are

Answer 4

property crimes

Question 5

The crime rate in Texas is declining because

Answer 5

1. Less people are in crime prone age of 17-24
2. Violent and repeat offenders are in jail longer
3. Use of tech

Question 6

Corrections

Answer 6

Very costly to the expense of housing individuals and increasing jail population

Question 7

Texas is the leader in the nation

Answer 7

in the number of people under supervision

Question 8

Capital Punishment

Answer 8

1. Very strict parameters
2. TX is the leader in executions
3. Political culture supports death penalty
4. There are three questions and the only acceptable answers are yes/yes/no

Question 9

What is the reason for the decreasing number of executions?

Answer 9

The legislature has empowered juries to sentence defendants to life without the possibility of parole.

Question 10

Roper v Simmons

Answer 10

2005
US SC held that persons who were 17 yo or younger at the time the capital crime was committed could not be executed.

Question 11

Law enforcement in Texas

Answer 11

Department of Public Safety (DPS): wide array of police services

Question 12

Texas Rangers

Answer 12

an elite division of the DPS that investigates major crimes and allegations of police misconduct.

has no ties to local govs or its politics

Question 13

Law Enforcement at the County Level

Answer 13

Sheriff and constable(s)

Question 14

Sheriff

Answer 14

the county’s chief law enforcement officer; elected to a 4 year term

Question 15

Sul Ross

Answer 15

the TX’s most famous sheriff who called to order the 1st meeting of the Sheriff’s Association of TX and was one of the 1st in the law enforcement community to share intelligence

Question 16

Constable

Answer 16

county-level elected official who provides services to the justice of the peace

Question 17

Law enforcement in special districts

Answer 17

Most TX colleges, schools, airports have their own police departments

Question 18

Texas Penal Code

Answer 18

the state’s definitions and categorizations of crimes and punishments

Question 19

Due Process

Answer 19

constitutionally protected rights of the persons accused of committing criminal acts

Question 20

Exclusionary rule

Answer 20

a due process right that makes it illegal for the government to use evidence gathered during an unlawful police search

Question 21

“Good faith” exception

Answer 21

exception to the exclusionary rule incriminating evidence may be admissible if the police acted in good faith

Question 22

Arizona v Gant

Answer 22

2009
US SC established that police can search a car only with the consent of the driver, unless they have reason to believe the car contains evidence to the crime for which the occupant was arrested.

Question 23

Stages of Due Process

Answer 23

1. Arrest
2. The Indictment
3. The Trial

Question 24

Probable cause

Answer 24

the total set of facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that an individual committed a specific criminal act.

Question 25

Fruits of a crime

Answer 25

any items stolen or otherwise illegally obtained by the accused

Question 26

Tools of a crime

Answer 26

any items or instruments used during the commission of a criminal act

Question 27

Mere evidence

Answer 27

items that connect an individual with a crime (eg. fingerprints)

Question 28

Grand jury

Answer 28

a panel composed of 12 citizens who determine whether enough evidence exists to charge a person with a felony and make him/her stand trial.

Question 29

Indictment

Answer 29

a finding by the grand jury that the case will proceed to the trial stage; aka true bill

Question 30

Prosecutor

Answer 30

A government employee who initiates criminal cases against individuals

Question 31

Plea bargain

Answer 31

a process in which the accused receives a lighter sentence than could be expected from a trial verdict in exchange for a guilty plea

Question 32

Bench trial

Answer 32

a criminal trial that is held w/o jury, as requested by the person charged

Question 33

Double Jeopardy

Answer 33

a criminal defendant’s due process right to be protected from being tried a second time (after receiving a non-guilty verdict the first time)

Question 34

In trial, a conviction in a criminal jury requires a …………. to establish a verdict

Answer 34

unanimous vote

Question 35

Hung jury

Answer 35

Describes the failure to render a verdict in a criminal case

Question 36

In Texas, who decides the amount of time the accused will serve?

Answer 36

The jury