Criminal Justice test 3

Question 1

What are Courts of Limited Jurisdiction?

Answer 1

Courts that handle specific cases, such as traffic and misdemeanors. Often called municipal or magistrate courts.

Question 2

What are Courts of General Jurisdiction?

Answer 2

Courts that hear serious criminal and civil cases; they are trial courts.

Question 3

What are Specialized Courts?

Answer 3

Courts that focus on particular issues, such as drug courts and family courts.

Question 4

What are Appellate Courts?

Answer 4

Courts that review trial court decisions for legal errors and do not retry facts.

Question 5

What are District Courts?

Answer 5

Trial courts for federal matters.

Question 6

What are Courts of Appeals?

Answer 6

Intermediate appellate courts that review cases from 12 regional circuits.

Question 7

What is the role of the Supreme Court?

Answer 7

It is the final appellate authority that selects cases via writs of certiorari.

Question 8

What is a Petition for Certiorari?

Answer 8

A request by a party for the Supreme Court to review a case.

Question 9

What is the Rule of Four?

Answer 9

The requirement that four Justices must agree to grant a petition for certiorari.

Question 10

What are Briefs & Amicus Briefs?

Answer 10

Written arguments submitted by parties and interested groups.

Question 11

What happens during Oral Arguments in the Supreme Court?

Answer 11

Each side presents arguments for 30 minutes.

Question 12

What occurs during the Conference & Vote in the Supreme Court?

Answer 12

Justices discuss the case and vote on the outcome.

Question 13

What types of opinions are issued by the Supreme Court?

Answer 13

Majority, concurring, and dissenting opinions.

Question 14

What is the role of a Prosecutor?

Answer 14

Represents the state, decides charges, and presents evidence.

Question 15

What is the role of a Defense Attorney?

Answer 15

Protects the defendant’s rights and challenges the prosecution’s case.

Question 16

What is the role of a Judge?

Answer 16

Oversees proceedings, rules on admissibility, instructs the jury, and imposes sentences.

Question 17

What is Mediation?

Answer 17

A process where a neutral third party helps parties negotiate.

Question 18

What is Arbitration?

Answer 18

A process where an arbitrator hears evidence and makes a binding decision.

Question 19

What is Restorative Justice?

Answer 19

Victim-offender mediation focusing on repair and reconciliation.

Question 20

What is Bail?

Answer 20

Money or conditions set to ensure a defendant returns for trial.

Question 21

What are the types of Bail?

Answer 21

Cash Bail, Surety Bond, Property Bond, Release on Recognizance (ROR).

Question 22

What is a Grand Jury?

Answer 22

A group of citizens that determines probable cause in secret proceedings.

Question 23

What is a Preliminary Hearing?

Answer 23

A judge determines probable cause in open court with the defendant and counsel present.

Question 24

What is Arraignment?

Answer 24

The formal reading of charges where the defendant is informed of their rights.

Question 25

What are the possible pleas during Arraignment?

Answer 25

Guilty, Not Guilty, No Contest (nolo contendere).

Question 26

What are Plea Bargains?

Answer 26

Exchanges that may include charge reduction, sentence recommendation, or dismissal of other charges.

Question 27

What issues can lead to False Confessions?

Answer 27

Coercion, lengthy interrogation, and mental impairment.

Question 28

What is Pretrial Diversion?

Answer 28

Alternative programs that defer prosecution, focusing on rehabilitation.

Question 29

What is a Bench Trial?

Answer 29

A trial where the judge decides guilt and facts.

Question 30

What is a Jury Trial?

Answer 30

A trial where the jury decides facts and the judge rules on law.

Question 31

What is Probable Cause?

Answer 31

Reasonable grounds for arrest or search warrants.

Question 32

What is Preponderance of Evidence?

Answer 32

The standard of proof in civil cases, meaning more likely than not.

Question 33

What is Clear and Convincing Evidence?

Answer 33

A high probability standard used in some civil matters.

Question 34

What is Beyond a Reasonable Doubt?

Answer 34

The highest standard of proof required for criminal conviction.

Question 35

What are the steps in the Trial Process?

Answer 35

Jury Selection, Opening Statements, Prosecution’s Case-in-Chief, Defense’s Case, Rebuttal and Surrebuttal, Closing Arguments, Jury Instructions, Jury Deliberation & Verdict.

Question 36

What are the goals of punishment?

Answer 36

Retribution, Deterrence, Rehabilitation, Incapacitation, Restoration.

Question 37

What are the types of sentences?

Answer 37

Concurrent, Consecutive, Indeterminate, Determinate.

Question 38

What is Mandatory Sentencing?

Answer 38

Statutory minimums, Three Strikes laws, and Truth in Sentencing.

Question 39

What factors influence sentencing?

Answer 39

Aggravating and Mitigating circumstances, and Sentencing Guidelines.

Question 40

What are arguments for Capital Punishment?

Answer 40

Deterrence, retribution, and closure for victims.

Question 41

What are arguments against Capital Punishment?

Answer 41

Wrongful convictions, moral objections, and cost.

Question 42

What is the significance of Furman v. Georgia (1972)?

Answer 42

Temporarily halted the death penalty.

Question 43

What did Gregg v. Georgia (1976) establish?

Answer 43

Reinstated the death penalty with guidelines.

Question 44

What was decided in Ring v. Arizona (2002)?

Answer 44

Juries, not judges, must find aggravating factors.

Question 45

What did Roper v. Simmons (2005) rule?

Answer 45

No execution of offenders under 18.

Question 46

What is Probation?

Answer 46

Supervised community release instead of incarceration.

Question 47

What are the legal rights of a person on Probation?

Answer 47

Limited Fourth Amendment rights and due process for revocation.

Question 48

What is Judicial Reprieve/Recognizance?

Answer 48

An early form of probation where release is granted on promise.

Question 49

What is Revocation in the context of Probation?

Answer 49

A court hearing that may lead to possible incarceration.

Question 50

What are the tasks of a Probation Officer?

Answer 50

Supervision, case management, and risk assessment/classification.

Question 51

What are Intermediate Sanctions?

Answer 51

Fines, Forfeiture, and Restitution.

Question 52

What is Shock Probation?

Answer 52

A short period of incarceration followed by probation.

Question 53

What is Split Sentencing?

Answer 53

A combination of jail time and probation.

Question 54

What is House Arrest?

Answer 54

Confinement at the residence of the offender.

Question 55

What is Electronic Monitoring?

Answer 55

Use of GPS or RF tracking devices to monitor offenders.

Question 56

What are the principles of Restorative Justice?

Answer 56

Victim-offender dialogue, community involvement, and repairing harm.

Question 57

What are some programs associated with Restorative Justice?

Answer 57

Victim-offender mediation and circles.