Question 1

_________ is the state with the most defendants on death row.

Accepted Answer

California has the highest number of defendants on death row in the United States, with over 700 inmates currently awaiting execution.

Question 2

Some countries use corporal punishment as a sanction in criminal cases.Do you think the United States should use a system of corporal punishment to control crime? What results might we see in such a system?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Some countries use corporal punishment as a...

Question 3

Attitudes of judges factor into sentencing decisions.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that judges' personal attitudes, beliefs, and experiences can have an impact on their sentencing decisions, even when trying to be objective and follow legal guidelines. This is a potential source of bias in the criminal justice system.

Question 4

The prison population contains a higher proportion of Hispanics than does the general population.

Accepted Answer

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, Hispanics make up a higher proportion of the prison population (22%) than their proportion in the general population (18%).

Question 5

Presentence reports are careful to avoid stereotypes of defendants.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Presentence reports are careful to avoid stereotypes...

Question 6

How did the abolition of the death penalty in 2011 in Illinois reflect changes in the use of technology? What other issues relating to cost were involved?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How did the abolition of the death...

Question 7

___________ are rigorous,military-style regimes for younger offenders designed to accelerate punishment while instilling discipline.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ___________ are rigorous,military-style regimes for younger offenders...

Question 8

__________ is a residential setting for selected inmates as a supplement to probation for those completing prison programs.

Accepted Answer

The answer of __________ is a residential setting for selected...

Question 9

In __________ the U.S.Supreme Court ruled that execution of developmentally disabled defendants was unconstitutional.

Accepted Answer

In Atkins v. Virginia (2002), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the execution of developmentally disabled defendants violates the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

Question 10

Many exonerations are not based on DNA evidence,but on the discovery that prosecutors had ignored or _______ evidence.

Accepted Answer

The sentence suggests that prosecutors had ignored or overlooked some evidence, and it was not necessarily destroyed or contained, though those factors may have also played a role in some cases. However, the use of the word "hidden" implies that the evidence was intentionally kept secret or withheld. Thus, choice A is the best option.

Question 11

Gender does not affect sentencing decisions.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that gender can indeed affect sentencing decisions, with women being more likely to receive more lenient sentences than men for the same crime. Factors such as gender stereotypes, cultural expectations, and the race of the defendant can all play a role in these disparities.

Question 12

________ relationships among courtroom actors can facilitate plea bargains and shape the content of prosecutors' sentencing recommendations.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ________ relationships among courtroom actors can facilitate...

Question 13

Under the ________approach,the amount and kind of punishment are calculated to discourage a criminal from repeating the offense.

Accepted Answer

Specific deterrence is the approach where the punishment is aimed at discouraging a particular offender from repeating the offense. It is meant to prevent the recurrence of criminal behavior by instilling fear of punishment in the offender. This is different from general deterrence, which aims to deter others in society from committing crimes through punishment of a few offenders. The other options, incapacitation and rehabilitation, are not focused on deterrence, but rather on preventing future crime through either removing the offender from society or addressing the root causes of criminal behavior.

Question 14

The late Chief Justice __________ actively sought to reduce the opportunities for capital punishment defendants to have their appeals heard by multiple courts.

Accepted Answer

Chief Justice William Rehnquist was known for his conservative views and his efforts to limit the use of the writ of habeas corpus in death penalty cases, which made it more difficult for defendants to have their appeals heard by multiple courts.

Question 15

Give two examples of how budget cutbacks influence the use of mandatory sentencing and of good time.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Give two examples of how budget cutbacks...

Question 16

In your opinion,why does the United States rely on incarceration so heavily as a form of punishment? Why don't we use intermediate sanctions as frequently as other countries do?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In your opinion,why does the United States...

Question 17

According to the U.S.Supreme Court landmark cases involving the use of the death penalty,its use does not violate the Eighth Amendment of the U.S.Constitution (that is,it is not cruel and unusual punishment).Do you agree with this view? Explain why or why not.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the U.S.Supreme Court landmark cases...

Question 18

A(n)_________ sentence is a sentence for which the legislature or a commission sets a minimum and maximum range of months or years.Judges are to fix the length of the sentence within that range,allowing for special circumstances.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A(n)_________ sentence is a sentence for which...

Question 19

Sentencing guidelines provide additional discretion for judges in the sentencing process.

Accepted Answer

Sentencing guidelines are designed to limit judicial discretion by establishing a range of sentences that can be imposed for various offenses, thereby promoting consistency and fairness in sentencing.

Question 20

Which purposes of punishment is the death penalty designed to serve?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which purposes of punishment is the death...

Quiz 12: Punishment and Sentencing.