Question 1
Question
Which of the following statements best describes the jurisdiction of a court?
Answer
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It is the territory, subject matter, or people over which a court or other justice agency may exercise lawful authority, as determined by a statute or constitution
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It is the provision which allows courts to grant pretrial release of a criminal defendant on his or her written promise to appear in court as required
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It is the formal written accusation submitted to a court by a grand jury, alleging that a specified person who has committed a specified offense.
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It is the power of a court to review only the actions and decisions made by other agencies of government
Question 2
Question
Which of the following was not suggested by proponents of state court reform in order to create a uniform judiciary model for all states?
Answer
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centralizing a state court authority
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centralizing court structure
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consolidating courts with overlapping jurisdictions
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combining original and appellate jurisdiction
Question 3
Question
Which of the following is an example of an original-jurisdiction case?
Answer
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Matt appeals in a higher court against a lower court's decision in favor of his landlord
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A court of appeals upholds Carlos' conviction in a sexual harassment case by a state trial court
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Brian is arrested for identity theft and is tried in a state trial court
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Mary approaches a state supreme court to review the state trial court's decision to charge her with grand larceny
Question 4
Question
Which of the following cases is most likely to be settled in a dispute-resolution center?
Answer
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Sean is charged with aggravated assault for physically abusing his wife
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Jacob is arrested for raping and killing a ten-year-old girl
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Robert is caught stealing groceries from a local store
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Leslie is arrested for using illegal drugs
Question 5
Question
________ is the power of a court to reconsider the actions and decisions made by other agencies of government.
Answer
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Arraignment
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Judicial review
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Original jurisdiction
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Jurisprudence
Question 6
Question
Which of the following alternatives to bail places a court in the role of a bond agent, allowing a defendant to post a percentage of a full bail with the court?
Answer
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signature bond
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deposit bail
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release on recognizance
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conditional release
Question 7
Question
Brian, a suspect in a robbery case, signs a document which says that the trial court of Alabama can seize his house and car if he does not appear on his trial date. Which of the following alternatives to bail does this scenario illustrate?
Answer
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an unsecured bond
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a property bond
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a deposit bail
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a third-party custody
Question 8
Question
Which of the following scenarios illustrates an arraignment?
Answer
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Deborah, an accused in a robbery case, is released on a deposit bail
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William, an accused in a murder case, is arrested and immediately presented before a magistrate. The magistrate informs William of his rights.
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Arun, an accused in a homicide case, is presented before a trial court with original jurisdiction for the first time. The judge allows him to enter a plea.
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Santiago, an accused in a rape case, is released when his attorney gives assurance that Santiago will appear in court as required.
Question 9
Question
One purpose of ________ is to help ensure the reappearance of the accused at trial.
Answer
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adjudication
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arraignment
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plea
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bail
Question 10
Question
Which of the following provides the first appellate level for courts of limited jurisdiction?
Question 11
Question
How many regional courts of appeal are there in the United States?
Question 12
Question
Which of the following is NOT part of the structure developed by states that follow the federal court model?
Question 13
Question
A formal written accusation submitted to a court by a prosecutor, alleging that a specified person has committed a specified offense, is known as a(n) ________.
Answer
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information
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plea
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arraignment
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bail
Question 14
Question
Bob consigned all of his stock holdings to the court as collateral against pretrial flight. What type of bail did he post?
Answer
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unsecured bond
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property bond
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deposit bail
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signature bond
Question 15
Question
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the U.S. Supreme Court?
Answer
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The U.S. Supreme Court is the highest federal court
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The U.S. Supreme Court consists of nine justices
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The U.S. Supreme Court wields immense power
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The U.S. Supreme Court justices serve for eight years
Question 16
Question
A formal written accusation submitted to the court by a grand jury, alleging that a specified person has committed a specified offense, usually a felony, is known as an ________.
Answer
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arraignment
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indictment
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assessment
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enforcement
Question 17
Question
Which of the following refers to the lawful authority of a court to hear or to act on a case from its beginning and to pass judgment on the law and the facts?
Answer
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overlapping jurisdiction
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limited jurisdiction
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appellate jurisdiction
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original jurisdiction
Question 18
Question
Courts that have the authority to review a decision made by a lower court are said to have ________.
Answer
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special jurisdiction
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original jurisdiction
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appellate jurisdiction
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limited jurisdiction
Question 19
Question
Which of the following is the least likely requirement to become a judge in general jurisdiction and appellate courts in almost all states?
Question 20
Question
Jane conducts a criminal proceeding against a serial rapist on behalf of Gia, a rape victim, in a state court. In this scenario, Jane is most likely to be a ________.
Answer
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public defender
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prosecutor
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private attorney
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bailiff
Question 21
Question
Who among the following is most likely a public defender?
Answer
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Sean, who represents a state's case against Rick, a defendant, in a state court.
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Roger, a practicing criminal attorney, is appointed by a state trial court to represent a defendant in a murder case.
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Nadia, a partner in a law firm, represents a defendant in a case of embezzlement.
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Farah, who is employed by a state, represents a defendant who cannot afford a lawyer in a rape case.
Question 22
Question
Christian, a management consultant, is required by a state court to listen to the evidence presented during trial and determine whether Valerie, an accused in a murder case, is guilty or not guilty of the charges against her. In this scenario, Christian is most likely playing the role of a ________.
Answer
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juror
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victim
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lay witness
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defendant
Question 23
Question
Which of the following amendment's requirement of a public trial supports the right of reporters and spectators to be present at a criminal trial?
Answer
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The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
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The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
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The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
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The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Question 24
Question
________ refers to the issue of whether a defendant is actually responsible for the crime of which he or she stands accused.
Answer
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Judicial review
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Warrant
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Verdict
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Factual guilt
Question 25
Question
Which of the following is the first step in the criminal trial process?
Question 26
Question
Which of the following scenarios illustrates a challenge for cause during jury selection?
Answer
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A defense attorney argues that the pool from which potential jurors are selected for a discrimination case is under representative of minority communities.
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A defense attorney claims that a potential juror who was a victim of rape is likely to be partial against the defendant in a rape case.
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A defense attorney dismisses two potential women jurors from a case involving a bank robbery without giving a reason.
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A prosecuting attorney dismisses four potential jurors from a shoplifting case without giving any reason.
Question 27
Question
Proponents of the adversarial system believe the best way to determine truth is through
Answer
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the use of coercive interrogation techniques
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careful investigation and sharing of information
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open combat between victim and accused
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a free and open competition over who has the correct facts
Question 28
Question
Proponents of the adversarial system believe the best way to achieve justice is by
Answer
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strict adherence to procedure
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having flexible procedural rules
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better policing
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allowing judges to play a greater role in the proceedings
Question 29
Question
Proponents of the inquisitorial system believe the best way to determine truth is through
Answer
-
careful investigation and sharing of information
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the use of coercive interrogation techniques
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open combat between victim and accused
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a free and open competition over who has the correct facts
Question 30
Question
According to a Gallup Poll, Americans rate ____ higher than ____ in terms of honesty and ethics.
Question 31
Question
Which of the following is NOT a type of juror challenge?
Answer
-
peremptory challenges
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challenges for cause
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challenges to the array
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challenges for knowledge
Question 32
Question
All of the following are considered professionals in the courtroom work group, EXCEPT the________.
Answer
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defense attorney
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victim
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judge
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prosecuting attorney
Question 33
Question
Which of the following is NOT another name for a prosecuting attorney?
Answer
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district attorney
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assigned counsel
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state's attorney
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solicitor
Question 34
Question
What is the primary purpose of any criminal trial?
Answer
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instruction to meet the needs of trial judges
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determination of the defendant's guilt or innocence
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cooperation and communication with the police
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recognition of informal rules of civility
Question 35
Question
In 1972, the Judicial Conference of the United States adopted a policy opposing ________ in district courts, and that policy was incorporated into the Code of Conduct for United States Judges.
Answer
-
broadcast of in-camera trials
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media coverage of proceedings
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movement of a trial to another location
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broadcast of civil proceedings
Question 36
Question
Weapons, tire tracks, and fingerprints are examples of ________.
Answer
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circumstantial evidence
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exculpatory evidence
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testimonial evidence
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real evidence
Question 37
Question
Which of the following represents the order of the steps in a criminal trial?
Answer
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jury selection, trial initiation, opening statements, presentation of evidence, closing arguments, the judge's charge to the jury, jury deliberations, the verdict
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opening statements, jury selection, presentation of evidence, trial initiation, closing arguments, the judge's charge to the jury, jury deliberations, the verdict
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trial initiation, jury selection, opening statements, presentation of evidence, closing arguments, the judge's charge to the jury, jury deliberations, the verdict
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the judge's charge to the jury, jury selection, opening statements, trial initiation, presentation of evidence, closing arguments, jury deliberations, the verdict
Question 38
Question
Who is responsible for summoning members of the public for jury duty and subpoenaing witnesses for the prosecution and the defense?
Answer
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the court administrator
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the clerk of court
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the bailiff
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the court recorder
Question 39
Question
Criminal trials under the American system of justice are built around ________.
Answer
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an adversarial system
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a public defender system
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the court system
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the grand jury system
Question 40
Question
Court-appointed defense attorneys, whose fees are paid at a set rate by local or state government, are also called ________.
Answer
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private counsel
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public counsel
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opposing counsel
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assigned counsel
Question 41
Question
Which of the following best reflects the findings from Naomi Goodno's assessment of the three strikes law in California?
Answer
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The law has clogged courts to the point that judges have filed lawsuits
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The law was supported by 98% of all law enforcement officers in California
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The law has resulted in more police officers being killed as two-strike offenders seek to avoid a third strike
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The law has not strained the state budget or overcrowded prisons
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The law increased the general public's fear of crime
Question 42
Question
Which of the following best reflects the decision made by the U.S. Supreme Court with regard to the Eighth Amendment and three strikes laws?
Answer
-
The Court ruled that it is neither cruel nor unusual to impose a life sentence for a nonviolent felony when the offender has a history of serious convictions
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The Court decided to remain silent with regard to three strikes laws; instead, it deferred to the states to determine what was cruel or unusual
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The Court ruled that it was cruel and unusual to include misdemeanors as one of the three strikes
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The Court ruled that three strikes laws, in and of themselves, are inherently violations of the Eighth Amendment
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The Court ruled that it is a violation of the Eighth Amendment to impose a life sentence for a nonviolent felony, regardless of an offender's history
Question 43
Question
Which of the following is accurate with regard to Elsa Chen's research regarding race, ethnicity, and three strikes laws?
Answer
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African-Americans and American Indians were more likely than others to receive third-strike sentences, even when legally relevant variables were controlled
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Hispanic-Americans were more likely than other groups to receive third-strike sentences, even when legally relevant variables were controlled
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African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans were more likely than others to receive third-strike sentences, even when legally relevant variables were controlled
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Whites and Hispanics were more likely than others to receive third-strike sentences, even when legally relevant variables were controlled
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Whites were more likely than others to receive third-strike sentences, even when legally relevant variables were controlled
Question 44
Question
How many children are believed to be sexually victimized each year?
Answer
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One million
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Two-hundred thousand
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Five million
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Two million
Question 45
Question
Studies of recidivism rates for sexual offenders demonstrate that
Answer
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all treatment programs are effective in reducing recidivism
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treatment programs don't work
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treatment programs don't work and offenders will all reoffend
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some treatment programs work and some don't
Question 46
Question
Depending on the state, which of the following constitute sexual offenses?
Question 47
Question
According to the most recent figures, how many registered sex offenders are there in the United States?
Answer
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500,000
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Nearly 750,000
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Two million
-
One million
Question 48
Question
According to the NVCAP, which is the most comprehensive victims' bill of rights?
Answer
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Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994
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Victims' Rights and Protection Act of 2008
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Victims of Crime Act of 1984
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Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982
Question 49
Question
Which of the following is a form of structured sentencing?
Question 50
Question
Which of the following is the primary sentencing tool of the "just deserts" model?
Answer
-
restitution
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fine
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probation
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imprisonment
Question 51
Question
Which of the following cases determined that the method of execution of an offender may not create a substantial risk of wanton and unnecessary infliction of pain, torture, or lingering death?
Answer
-
Gregg v. Georgia
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Baze v. Rees
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Furman v. Georgia
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Atkins v. Virginia
Question 52
Question
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that ________ must decide the facts that lead to a death sentence.
Answer
-
appellate courts
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jures, not judges
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high courts
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judges, not juries
Question 53
Question
Under the indeterminate sentencing model, what is the primary determinant of the amount of time served?
Answer
-
inmate's behavior while incarcerated
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leniency of the parole board
-
leniency of the judge
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pressure from politicians
Question 54
Question
Which of the following refers to the goal of criminal sentencing that attempts to make the victim "whole again"?
Answer
-
retribution
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deterrence
-
incapacitation
-
restoration
Question 55
Question
Who is the final arbiter of the actual sentence served in a state that relies on an indeterminate sentencing scheme?
Answer
-
the judge
-
the parole board
-
the governor
-
the prosecutor
Question 56
Question
Cooperating with the authorities, good character, and no prior record are examples of ________ circumstances.
Answer
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unforeseen
-
aggravating
-
mitigating
-
compensatory
Question 57
Question
Which of the following is NOT one of the goals of contemporary sentencing?
Answer
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restoration
-
rehabilitation
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mitigation
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incapacitation