Question 1

Which of the following courts typically try felonies and have the power to sentence to state prison?&#10;A) general jurisdiction courts&#10;B) limited jurisdiction courts&#10;C) community courts&#10;D) supreme courts

Accepted Answer

General jurisdiction courts have the power to hear a wide range of cases, including felony cases. They also have the authority to impose sentences which may include imprisonment in a state prison. Limited jurisdiction courts only have the power to hear certain types of cases, such as traffic violations or small claims cases, and do not have the ability to sentence offenders to state prison. Community courts are specialized courts that typically handle non-violent, low-level offenses and do not have the power to sentence to state prison. Supreme courts are the highest appellate courts in their respective jurisdictions and do not typically hear felony cases at the trial level.

Question 2

Which of the following statements regarding drug courts is incorrect?&#10;A) The judge stays involved with the offender through the period of supervision&#10;B) The major goal is to break the cycle of drug use rather than simply administer punishment&#10;C) Evidence clearly shows drug courts are effective&#10;D) Research regarding drug court effectiveness is mixed

Accepted Answer

Research on drug court effectiveness is mixed, with some studies showing positive outcomes and others indicating limited or no impact, making statement C incorrect.

Question 3

Which of the following has a goal of meeting the needs of victims and offenders alike?&#10;A) General deterrence&#10;B) Specific deterrence&#10;C) Restorative Justice&#10;D) Community Service

Accepted Answer

Restorative justice focuses on bringing together victims, offenders, and the community to address the harm done and find a way to repair it. It aims to meet the needs of both victims and offenders, as well as to prevent future harm. Option A, General deterrence, aims to discourage crime by making an example of a specific offender. Option B, Specific deterrence, aims to prevent a specific offender from committing future crimes through punishment. Option D, Community service, typically focuses on punishing offenders by requiring them to contribute to the community through unpaid work.

Question 4

The most common type of crime for those convicted of a felony and sentenced to jail or prison is:&#10;A) Violent Crime&#10;B) Property Crime&#10;C) Sex Crime&#10;D) Drug Crime

Accepted Answer

Drug crimes are often the most common reason for felony convictions and subsequent jail or prison sentences, due to the high number of arrests and convictions related to drug offenses.

Question 5

When making decisions about whether to prosecute, the prosecutor must take into consideration:&#10;A) Office resources&#10;B) Seriousness of the crime&#10;C) Desires of the victim&#10;D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

The prosecutor must take into consideration all of the above factors when deciding whether to prosecute a case. The availability of resources, the seriousness of the crime, and the desires of the victim all play a role in the decision-making process.

Question 6

Which of the following attorneys are generally the lowest paid?&#10;A) Defense attorney&#10;B) Civil attorney&#10;C) Attorney general&#10;D) state prosecutor

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following attorneys are generally...

Question 7

If the prosecutor cannot prove that a crime occurred in the court's geographic jurisdiction, the defendant must be acquitted.

Accepted Answer

The court's jurisdiction over a case depends on various factors such as the location of the crime, the defendant's residence or where the crime was committed, and the type of crime. If the prosecutor cannot prove that the crime occurred within the court's geographic jurisdiction, the court does not have the authority to try the case and the defendant must be acquitted.

Question 8

Guilt or innocence can be decided by appellate courts in certain situations.

Accepted Answer

Appellate courts review the application of law and procedural issues in a case, not the factual determination of guilt or innocence, which is typically decided by trial courts.

Question 9

Capital crimes carry a mandatory appeal

Accepted Answer

Capital crimes, such as murder, typically carry a mandatory appeal process. The defendant may appeal the conviction and/or the sentence imposed by the trial court. This is usually a time-limited process and failure to appeal within the prescribed time limits may result in forfeiture of the right to appeal.

Question 10

A district attorney is usually appointed

Accepted Answer

A district attorney is typically elected by the voters of the local jurisdiction they will serve, not appointed.

Deck 8: Courts in America