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True / False
1. The United States has a dual court system.
a.
True
b.
False
2. Most criminal cases are heard at the federal level.
a.
True
b.
False
3. The geographic territory that defines a court’s authority is called jurisdiction.
a.
True
b.
False
4. Trial courts of general jurisdiction handle only misdemeanors and lawsuits for small amounts of money.
a.
True
b.
False
5. Appellate courts do not try criminal cases.
a.
True
b.
False
6. Trial courts of limited jurisdiction have jurisdiction over all offenses, including felonies and appeals.
a.
True
b.
False
7. The fragmented structure of state courts is the biggest barrier to effective justice.
a.
True
b.
False
8. Very few efforts have been made to reform state courts in the twentieth century.
a.
True
b.
False
9. State courts have huge caseloads.
a.
True
b.
False
10. All courts in the United States use a basic three-tiered structure.
a.
True
b.
False
11. At the heart of reform of state courts is the goal of making the process more complex.
a.
True
b.
False
12. The American legal system is based on a passive judge and jury seeking to find the truth as attorneys for each side
argue vigorously.
a.
True
b.
False
13. The occupation of “bail bondsman” is a job unique to the United States.
a.
True
b.
False
14. It is impossible for a poor person to become a judge.
a.
True
b.
False
15. Judges have a variety of roles within the judicial system.
a.
True
b.
False
16. Judges selected based on merit must eventually face public election.
a.
True
b.
False
17. After a suspect is arrested, he or she can be deprived of freedom, even if a finding of guilty is unlikely.
a.
True
b.
False
18. The criterion for deciding if evidence is strong enough to uphold an arrest is called probable cause.
a.
True
b.
False
19. Most felony cases are disposed of by dismissals.
a.
True
b.
False
20. Both prosecutors and defense attorneys can bring pretrial motions in court proceedings.
a.
True
b.
False
21. The Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution forbids the use of excessive bail.
a.
True
b.
False
22. Bail is typically determined within 3 hours after the arrest.
a.
True
b.
False
23. The bail system discriminates against poor people.
a.
True
b.
False
24. The bail bondsperson is a nonprofit actor within the criminal justice system.
a.
True
b.
False
25. The purpose of drug courts is to divert substance abusers away from incarceration.
a.
True
b.
False
26. Judges spend significant time as negotiators while working with prosecutors and defense attorneys regarding plea
bargaining.
a.
True
b.
False
27. Nonpartisan selection allows the public to choose a judge from a list of candidates.
a.
True
b.
False
28. The prosecution will use the pretrial time period to introduce motions for lack of evidence or violation of rights.
a.
True
b.
False
29. Under the 10 percent cash bail system, once the individual appears in court, they will receive 10% of the money back.
a.
True
b.
False
30. If the offense is punishable by life imprisonment or death then bail will be denied.
a.
True
b.
False
31. Most felony cases take a year or more to adjudicate.
a.
True
b.
False
32. Pretrial detention can be a very troubling experience for the defendant.
a.
True
b.
False
33. If an individual cannot make bail, they will be forced to remain in jail until their case is resolved.
a.
True
b.
False
34. The use of bondsmen is a fairly rare occurrence and becoming rarer.
a.
True
b.
False
35. U.S. district courts exist
a.
in only the 10 largest states.
b.
to handle all criminal cases that arise in the country.
c.
to share appellate responsibilities with state supreme courts.
d.
to handle trial-level federal cases.
36. Which types of cases are heard in federal courts?
a.
Only criminal cases
b.
Only civil cases
c.
Both criminal and civil cases
d.
Only murder cases
37. Which correctly lists the three levels of state courts?
a.
Appellate, district, limited jurisdictional
b.
Appellate, general jurisdiction, limited jurisdiction
c.
Limited jurisdiction, commercial, appellate
d.
General jurisdiction, limited jurisdiction, district
38. According to the diagram, which two courts can appeal directly to the Supreme Court of the United States?
a.
District courts and courts of limited jurisdiction
b.
Circuit courts of appeals and trial courts of general jurisdiction
c.
Circuit courts of appeals and appellate courts of last resort
d.
Intermediate courts of appeals and district courts
39. Which is not a goal of a unified court system?
a.
Eliminating overlapping boundaries
b.
Creating a hierarchical court structure
c.
Having courts funded by local government
d.
Creating a centralized court structure
40. According to the figure, why is Georgia considered to have an “unreformed” court structure?
a.
It has neither reduced the number of courts nor standardized their names.
b.
It has fewer trial courts of limited jurisdiction than does Alaska.
c.
It uses a nonstandard name for the appellate courts.
d.
It uses a nonstandard name for the trial courts of general jurisdiction.
41. Why would a local court want to implement a centralized court administration?
a.
It would avoid problems with jurisdiction.
b.
It would reduce caseloads.
c.
It would prevent the political party in power from using those positions as “rewards.”
d.
It would help to eliminate gender and racial bias in hiring.
42. A court-appointed special advocate is someone who
a.
serves jury duty.
b.
acts as a judge in special courts.
c.
has no official legal training.
d.
must complete law school before serving.
43. According to Cole and Smith, what is the biggest barrier to effective justice for state courts?
a.
Lack of qualified judges
b.
Too few courthouses
c.
Not enough police officers
d.
The fragmented structure of the judicial system
44. What is the main purpose of drug courts?
a.
To mete out harsh punishments to drug offenders
b.
To teach children about the dangers of drug use
c.
To bring “drug kingpins” to trial
d.
To help drug offenders overcome their addictions
45. Which statement is true regarding working as a judge?
a.
Judges usually have very low caseloads.
b.
The typical judge is a white female.
c.
All judges must have doctoral degrees to sit on the bench.
d.
Judges are usually able to set their own schedules and work hours.
46. Which is not a responsibility performed by judges?
a.
Setting bail
b.
Issuing search warrants
c.
Making arrests
d.
Scheduling hearings
47. In the United States, the judicial system operates according to a(n) _______ system of justice.
a.
adversarial
b.
inquisitorial
c.
civil law
d.
authoritarian
48. Which is the most likely to occur when a judge assumes the bench?
a.
Will base decisions on factors other than the law
b.
Will take a pay cut in order to assume a position on the bench
c.
Will make more money than the highest-paid private attorneys
d.
Will go straight from law school directly into a judging career
49. In which role does the judge spend significant amounts of time behind closed doors talking to prosecutors and defense
attorneys?
a.
Adjudicator
b.
Administrator
c.
Negotiator
d.
Electoral candidate
50. The criterion for deciding whether evidence is strong enough to uphold an arrest is called
a.
probable cause.
b.
proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
c.
preponderance of the evidence.
d.
reasonable doubt.
51. The court appearance of an accused person at which the charges are read is called a(n)
a.
probable cause hearing.
b.
arraignment.
c.
grand jury hearing.
d.
reasonable doubt appearance.
52. Most felony arrests are decided by a
a.
dismissal.
b.
rejection at screening.
c.
guilty plea.
d.
conviction at jury trial.
53. An application to a court requesting that an order be issued to bring about a specified action is called a
a.
dismissal.
b.
rejection at screening
c.
guilty plea.
d.
motion.
54. Which statements best describes the method of judicial “nonpartisan election”?
a.
Judges are appointed by the governor.
b.
Judges are selected by the legislator.
c.
Judges are first appointed by a commission, then voters approve the appointment later.
d.
Judges run for election and are not endorsed by political parties.
55. Which is true about the bail system?
a.
Bail is sometimes set before the defendant has an attorney.
b.
Bail bondspersons cannot deny bail to defendants if they can pay at least 10% of the entire bail amount.
c.
Police officers are never allowed to influence the bail decision.
d.
Bail bondspersons are nonprofit employees of the state.
56. In 1984, Congress passed the Bail Reform Act, which authorized the use of
a.
citations.
b.
10% cash bail.
c.
release on recognizance.
d.
preventive detention.
57. The practice by which judges grant releases if the defendant is employed and has roots in the community is called
a.
citation release.
b.
preventive detention.
c.
release on recognizance.
d.
preventive assumption.
58. Which of the following principles should be used to make bail decisions?
a.
Accused offenders are entitled to release on their own recognizance.
b.
Nonfinancial alternatives to bail should be avoided at all costs.
c.
Reasons for bail decisions must not be made known to the parties involved.
d.
Review of bail determinations can be made sporadically.
59. Which of the following is not a factor in how the judge determines a amount of the bail?
a.
Seriousness of the crime
b.
Defendant’s prior record
c.
Defendant’s family responsibilities
d.
Admissibility of evidence gathered by the police
60. Which statement best reflects valid criticism of the use of preventive detention?
