Question 1

According to a "reasonable doubt" study, it is easier to

Accepted Answer

Creating a reasonable doubt is generally easier because it involves introducing uncertainty or questioning the evidence, which can be more straightforward than proving beyond a reasonable doubt that there is no alternative explanation.

Question 2

Eighteen-year-old André has been accused of statutory rape because he had sex with his 17-year-old girlfriend. When the case goes to trial, the prosecution presents evidence confirming that André broke the law; yet the jurors vote not guilty because they feel the law is outdated. The jury's action is a clear example of

Accepted Answer

Jury nullification occurs when jurors acquit a defendant even though they believe the defendant is guilty of the charges. This decision is based on the jurors' belief that the law itself is unjust, improperly applied, or that convicting the defendant would lead to an unjust outcome. In this case, the jurors voted not guilty because they felt the law was outdated, which is a classic example of jury nullification.

Question 3

One reason judges' instructions tend to have little impact on jurors is that

Accepted Answer

Jurors often find the instructions difficult to understand due to their complexity and legal jargon, which can lead to confusion and misunderstandings about how to apply the law to the case they are judging.

Question 4

The members of a jury have been deliberating for several weeks. As they begin to converge on a verdict, disagreement is smoothed over and satisfaction with the verdict is affirmed. This stage of deliberation is called the period of

Accepted Answer

This stage is called the period of reconciliation, where disagreements among jury members are resolved, and a consensus is reached, leading to satisfaction with the final verdict.

Question 5

Romeo suggests if you know the majority opinion in a jury prior to deliberation, you know what the jury decision will be. What provides the strongest exception to his conclusion?

Accepted Answer

Leniency bias suggests that juries tend to favor acquittal over conviction, meaning that even if the majority initially leans towards conviction, the final decision could still be acquittal due to this bias.

Question 6

After hearing evidence in a murder trial, 10 jurors believe the evidence is insufficient to convict the 27-year-old African American defendant. Based on the group polarization hypothesis, after the jurors deliberate

Accepted Answer

The group polarization hypothesis suggests that after discussing their views, a group will often shift towards a more extreme version of their initial inclination. Since the majority initially believes the evidence is insufficient, deliberation is likely to reinforce this belief, making them more convinced of the defendant's innocence or the insufficiency of evidence to convict.

Question 7

During a trial, the prosecution refers to an illegally obtained tape recording of a phone call that makes the defendant appear guilty. Research suggests that after hearing this information, jurors are most likely to

Accepted Answer

Research on the "forbidden fruit" effect suggests that jurors may give greater weight to evidence they believe was hard to obtain or is somehow illicit, such as an illegally obtained tape. Even if a judge rules the evidence inadmissible, the fact that jurors have heard the information can bias their judgment, making them more likely to vote guilty regardless of the judge's ruling.

Question 8

A juror is more likely to be chosen as foreperson if the juror is

Accepted Answer

Jurors who are the first to speak in the jury room are often seen as leaders or as taking initiative, which increases their likelihood of being chosen as the foreperson.

Question 9

Shaquille has been selected to be the foreperson of his jury. It is likely that Shaquille will

Accepted Answer

As the foreperson, Shaquille will likely spend more time discussing procedural items, as this role involves managing the jury's discussions and ensuring the process runs smoothly.

Question 10

What is the major criterion on which a jury's verdict can be predicted?

Accepted Answer

The thoughts of individual jurors just before deliberation begins are the most reliable predictor of a jury's verdict, as these initial inclinations often influence the final decision through group discussion and consensus-building processes.

Question 11

Attorney Keating is defending Laura, a 23-year-old university scholar, who is facing trial for failing to pay income tax. What should he do to increase Laura's chances of being acquitted?

Accepted Answer

By selecting jurors who are also university scholars, Laura can increase her chances of being acquitted because they are more likely to understand her situation and be sympathetic to her. Having Laura appear in court well-dressed will also create a positive impression on the jury and make them more likely to believe her. Finally, selecting jurors who are against the death penalty will increase Laura's chances of being acquitted because they are less likely to be swayed by the prosecution's arguments.

Question 12

_______ is the stage of deliberation during which jurors set an agenda, talk in open terms, raise questions, and explore the facts.

Accepted Answer

Orientation is the stage where jurors discuss the case broadly, set an agenda, and explore the facts before delving into deeper discussions and decisions.

Question 13

Armand is participating in a jury trial. He and the other members of the jury are closely considering the evidence, trying to figure out how the evidence all pieces together, and considering their responsibilities as laid out by the judge. They are in the ____ stage of deliberation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Armand is participating in a jury trial....

Question 14

Jurors' power to disregard the law and the judge's instructions when they conflict with their personal conceptions of justice is called

Accepted Answer

Jury nullification occurs when jurors choose not to convict a defendant despite clear evidence of legal guilt, based on their own sense of justice, morality, or disagreement with the law. This allows jurors to act according to their personal beliefs, effectively nullifying the law in that particular case.

Question 15

The members of a jury are at the point in their deliberations where they are scrutinizing the evidence, constructing stories to account for the evidence, and discussing the judge's instructions. This jury is at what stage of deliberation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The members of a jury are at...

Question 16

If there is a majority opinion in a jury's initial vote, then

Accepted Answer

The ultimate verdict of a jury is often consistent with the initial majority opinion formed during the orientation stage, as initial majorities tend to influence the direction and outcome of jury deliberations.

Question 17

Which of the following statements is not a viable explanation for the finding that jurors often fail to comply with a judge's instruction to disregard inadmissible evidence?

Accepted Answer

The correct explanation is that jurors often struggle to disregard inadmissible evidence not because judicial instructions are unclear about which information to disregard, but typically because of factors such as the natural human reaction to being told to ignore something (which can make that thing more salient), the desire to make a fair judgment, or resistance to being told what to do. Clear instructions are usually given about what should be disregarded, making lack of clarity a less viable explanation.

Question 18

Norbert is selected as the foreperson of the jury. Assuming that a typical selection process occurred, he was probably chosen

Accepted Answer

The selection of a jury foreperson typically happens quickly and casually, often through a simple vote or agreement among jury members without extensive debate or formal consideration.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about jury forepersons is false ?

Accepted Answer

Jury forepersons are often selected through informal processes rather than through careful, deliberate discussions. The selection can be influenced by who speaks first or appears more confident, rather than a systematic evaluation of qualifications or a formal discussion among jurors.

Question 20

What is "leniency bias"?

Accepted Answer

Leniency bias refers to the tendency for jury deliberation to tilt toward acquittal, meaning jurors are more likely to favor acquitting a defendant rather than convicting them.

Quiz 12: Law