Deck 3: The Courtroom Work Group

Question 1

One of the primary interactions between judges and the police is through

A) The issuance of search and arrest warrants.
B) Controlling the defendant during trial.
C) Ruling on pretrial motions.
D) Determining the outcome of appeals.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following is not listed as a common goal of the courtroom work group in the text?

A) Reducing uncertainty.
B) Doing justice.
C) Maximizing punishment.
D) Maintaining group cohesion.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The attorneys for the two sides in a criminal case are referred to as

A) Plaintiff and defendant.
B) Felony and misdemeanor.
C) Privately retained and appointed.
D) Prosecution and defense.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Which courtroom work group member determines whether the accused will be granted bail?

A) The judge.
B) The jury.
C) The prosecutor.
D) The defense counsel.

Question 5

Which member of the courtroom work group serves as the legal advisor to the grand jury?

A) Presiding judge.
B) Defense attorney.
C) Prosecuting attorney.
D) Law clerk.

Question 6

The judge's role as the supreme ruler of the courtroom is a reflection of what country's legal system?

A) Spain.
B) France.
C) Italy.
D) England.

Question 7

If the prosecuting attorney decides that a case should not be pursued in court, he or she may file a motion for____________________.

A) Nolle prosequi.
B) Habeas corpus.
C) Summary judgment.
D) Directed verdict.

Question 8

Court funding generally comes from __________________.

A) The federal government.
B) State governments.
C) Local governments.
D) Regulatory agencies.

Question 9

A court's jurisdiction is defined by ____________________.

A) A council of judges.
B) The president.
C) Legislative bodies.
D) The U.S. Supreme Court.

Question 10

What process reduces the likelihood of arbitrary decisions and actions by judges?

A) Election of judges.
B) Case docketing.
C) Opinion drafting.
D) Appeals.

Question 11

The factors that unite the courtroom work group increase the likelihood that the case will end with a(n) _____________________.

A) Guilty verdict.
B) Acquittal.
C) Plea bargain.
D) Hung jury.

Question 12

Which of the following would refer to information that would exonerate the defendant?

A) Exculpatory evidence.
B) Prejudicial evidence.
C) Testimonial evidence.
D) Interrogatory evidence.

Question 13

Which member has the narrowest focus of any of the primary courtroom work group members?

A) Judges.
B) Prosecuting attorneys.
C) Defense attorneys.
D) Law enforcement officers.

Question 14

Which of the following is not a technique that courtroom work group members employ in their interactions with one another?

A) Pretrial motions.
B) Unilateral decisions.
C) Adversarial proceedings.
D) Negotiations.

Question 15

What is the ultimate goal of having each witness examined on direct and then cross-examined by the other side?

A) Allow a give and take between the witness and the defendant.
B) Preserve evidence for appeals.
C) Prevent surprise testimony.
D) Give the clearest picture of the evidence to the judge and jury.

Question 16

In a negotiation, which attorney is generally in a superior position of negotiating power?

A) Prosecuting attorney.
B) Defense attorney.
C) Court-appointed attorney.
D) Privately retained attorney.

Question 17

Which judicial function involves a suspect appearing before a judge to deal with formal charges, bail, and representation by counsel?

A) Indictment.
B) Criminal information.
C) Presentment.
D) Initial appearance.

Question 18

Most defense attorneys file a motion for __________________ as a matter of routine.

A) Change of venue.
B) Continuance.
C) Discovery.
D) Directed verdict.

Question 19

Judges frequently encourage privately retained defense attorneys to be cooperative in regard to the ____________________.

A) Decision to prosecute.
B) Number of charges filed.
C) Witnesses called.
D) Sentencing process.

Question 20

Which state introduced a three-strikes sentencing law in 1994 that caused a disruption in the goals of the courtroom work group?

A) Texas.
B) California.
C) Florida.
D) New York.

Question 21

The core members of the courtroom work group include judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys.

Question 22

Of the members of the courtroom work group, defense attorneys probably have the greatest real power.

Question 23

Law clerks often help judges by doing legal research and drafting opinions in appellate cases.

Question 24

Judges typically have the academic training and personal inclination to serve as administrators in their courts.

Question 25

Witnesses and jurors introduce an element of uncertainty in court proceedings.

Question 26

Prosecutors can request that a case be dismissed through the filing of a motion for habeas corpus.

Question 27

Often the most obvious goal of the members of the courtroom work group is to dispose of cases.

Question 28

Evidence that points to a defendant's guilt is called exculpatory evidence.

Question 29

A short-hand assessment of the true seriousness of a case by members of the courtroom work group is known as the going rate.

Question 30

In some cases jurors may vote to acquit an obviously guilty defendant because they believe the punishment for the crime is too severe.

Question 31

Discuss the problems that may arise when the goals of the courtroom work group are disrupted. This may occur as a result of laws passed by legislative bodies. How can these problems be prevented while still allowing legislators to address societal issues that relate to the court system? Explain your reasoning.

Question 32

Discuss the discretion that prosecuting attorneys are given and the impact that this has on the U.S. legal system. What is the purpose of this discretion, and is this purpose being met? Should prosecutors be given such broad discretion, or should it be limited in some way? Explain your reasoning.

Question 33

Explain the four goals that are held by all three core courtroom work groups. How does each group work to meet these goals? Be specific and give examples.

Question 34

Law enforcement officers often focus on achieving a "successful" prosecution with a harsh sentence for the offender. Judges and attorneys often focus on giving the offender some punishment and seeing that all cases are heard in a timely manner. Which of these is the most appropriate approach for the legal system? How can a balance be achieved so that justice is served, yet the court system runs efficiently? Be specific and explain your reasoning.

Question 35

Discuss the work techniques that are often employed by courtroom work group core members. What is achieved by utilizing these techniques? Be specific and give examples.

Question 36

Composed of judges, prosecuting attorneys, and defense attorneys.

A) Assembly line
B) In-or-out debate
C) Doing justice
D) Knowledge
E) Courtroom work group
F) Jury nullification
G) Disposing of cases
H) Courtroom design
I) Going rate
J) Sentencing guidelines

Question 37

Sentencing negotiations in which the prosecutor and defense attorney discuss whether probation may be an acceptable sentence.

A) Assembly line
B) In-or-out debate
C) Doing justice
D) Knowledge
E) Courtroom work group
F) Jury nullification
G) Disposing of cases
H) Courtroom design
I) Going rate
J) Sentencing guidelines

Question 38

Assessment of the true seriousness of the case.

A) Assembly line
B) In-or-out debate
C) Doing justice
D) Knowledge
E) Courtroom work group
F) Jury nullification
G) Disposing of cases
H) Courtroom design
I) Going rate
J) Sentencing guidelines

Question 39

When a defendant is acquitted because of a mandatory punishment that is grossly disproportionate to the offense.

A) Assembly line
B) In-or-out debate
C) Doing justice
D) Knowledge
E) Courtroom work group
F) Jury nullification
G) Disposing of cases
H) Courtroom design
I) Going rate
J) Sentencing guidelines

Question 40

Reflection of a judge's superior status.

A) Assembly line
B) In-or-out debate
C) Doing justice
D) Knowledge
E) Courtroom work group
F) Jury nullification
G) Disposing of cases
H) Courtroom design
I) Going rate
J) Sentencing guidelines

Question 41

Limitation on a judge's authority.

A) Assembly line
B) In-or-out debate
C) Doing justice
D) Knowledge
E) Courtroom work group
F) Jury nullification
G) Disposing of cases
H) Courtroom design
I) Going rate
J) Sentencing guidelines

Question 42

A prosecutor's greatest source of influence.

A) Assembly line
B) In-or-out debate
C) Doing justice
D) Knowledge
E) Courtroom work group
F) Jury nullification
G) Disposing of cases
H) Courtroom design
I) Going rate
J) Sentencing guidelines

Question 43

The judicial process is often compared to a(n) __________________.

A) Assembly line
B) In-or-out debate
C) Doing justice
D) Knowledge
E) Courtroom work group
F) Jury nullification
G) Disposing of cases
H) Courtroom design
I) Going rate
J) Sentencing guidelines

Question 44

Goal that has a different definition based on a group member's perspective.

A) Assembly line
B) In-or-out debate
C) Doing justice
D) Knowledge
E) Courtroom work group
F) Jury nullification
G) Disposing of cases
H) Courtroom design
I) Going rate
J) Sentencing guidelines

Question 45

Goal that serves the function of getting the courts' work done.

A) Assembly line
B) In-or-out debate
C) Doing justice
D) Knowledge
E) Courtroom work group
F) Jury nullification
G) Disposing of cases
H) Courtroom design
I) Going rate
J) Sentencing guidelines