Deck 3: The Criminal Justice System

Question 1

More than half of convicted offenders are supervised in the community.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Decisions made within the system of criminal justice should not have to reflect important public values.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Most criminal laws are written by state legislatures and enforced by state agencies.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Congress created new federal agencies in response to the attacks of September 11,2001.

Question 5

Congress has continued to expand the powers of the FBI.

Question 6

In the United States,the law may be interpreted differently in various states.

Question 7

It is dangerous for citizens to attempt to prevent crime.

Question 8

Criminal justice is a system of parts-police,courts,corrections-that do not affect each other.

Question 9

Criminal justice agencies are not dependent on others for funding.

Question 10

When the U.S.Constitution was ratified in 1788-1789,it contained few references to criminal justice.

Question 11

Plea bargaining is an example of an exchange relationship in the criminal justice system.

Question 12

Relatively few offenders break federal criminal laws compared to the large numbers who break state criminal laws.

Question 13

Criminal justice in the United States is highly decentralized.

Question 14

The U.S.Constitution explicitly includes criminal justice among the powers of the federal government.

Question 15

Federalism divides power between the central (national)government and regional (state)governments.

Question 16

Defendants who win appeals typically go free.

Question 17

At all levels of the justice process,there is a high degree of discretion employed by decision makers.

Question 18

In the American criminal justice system,most cases proceed all the way to trial.

Question 19

Because police usually observe the crimes that occur,they are at an advantage in being able to quickly arrest offenders.

Question 20

The criminal justice system is designed to control but not to prevent crime.

Question 21

There is no evidence of racism in the way society asks the criminal justice system to operate.

Question 22

In the American criminal justice system,all cases undergo the same process and receive equal attention.

Question 23

At the federal level,drug offenses are the most common violation of criminal law.

Question 24

A key concept in the criminal justice process involving the mutual transfer of resources among individual actors is called

A)exchange.
B)process distribution.
C)system transfers.
D)discretion.

Question 25

The authority to make decisions based on personal judgment,without reference to specific rules or facts,is referred to as

A)exchange.
B)interchange
C)system transfer.
D)discretion.

Question 26

Layer 4 of the criminal justice wedding cake model consists of misdemeanors.

Question 27

Which is true concerning the criminal justice system and the U.S.Constitution?

A)The U.S.Constitution does not discuss the criminal justice system specifically.
B)The U.S.Constitution dictates how state agencies should be run.
C)The U.S.Constitution created the state police agencies.
D)The U.S.Constitution created the federal law enforcement agencies.

Question 28

Which of the following occurs at a suspect's initial appearance before a judge?

A)The suspect is fingerprinted.
B)The suspect is notified of the official charges against him or her.
C)The judge decides whether probable cause exists.
D)The suspect enters his or her plea.

Question 29

The concept of dividing power between the central (national)government and regional (state)governments is called

A)confederacy.
B)federalism.
C)constitutionality.
D)a political system.

Question 30

Police are responsible for adjudication.

Question 31

Minorities are subjected to much higher rates of incarceration than the white majority.

Question 32

Which of the following is not a characteristic of practitioners in the criminal justice system?

A)Discretion
B)Resource dependence
C)Filtering
D)Complete independence of actors

Question 33

Layer 2 of the criminal justice wedding cake model consists of violent crimes.

Question 34

Celebrated cases that are highly scrutinized,have jury trials,and often drag on through many appeals are typically found at Layer 1 of the criminal justice "wedding cake."

Question 35

Discretion is not a characteristic of the criminal justice system.

Question 36

According to the text,which of the following is not a goal of the criminal justice system?

A)Doing justice
B)Controlling crime
C)Preventing crime
D)Pushing crime offshore

Question 37

Which of the following statements best explains the goals of the criminal justice system?

A)Citizens who take simple precautions can prevent crime.
B)Efforts to control crime allow police to go beyond the law.
C)Decisions must be made that reflect the legal,social,political,and moral values of society.
D)All members of society should earn the right to a system of justice.

Question 38

Minority groups are more likely to live in poverty than white people.

Question 39

Doing justice is not a goal of criminal justice.

Question 40

Which level of government administers prisons,jails,and other corrections facilities and programs?

A)Federal government
B)State governments
C)City governments
D)Federal,state,and city governments

Question 41

Federal sentencing guidelines punish users of crack cocaine about 100 times more harshly than users of powder cocaine.This fact reflects which of the textbook's explanations for racial disparities?

A)Racial insensitivity and unequal treatment in society can shape criminal justice policy.
B)Crack cocaine is more harmful to society than powder cocaine.
C)Few people are arrested for using powder cocaine.
D)The effects of powder cocaine are not as strong as those of crack cocaine.

Question 42

A true bill coming from a grand jury and charging a suspect with a specific crime is called a(n)

A)information.
B)warrant.
C)indictment.
D)booking.

Question 43

The determination of whether a defendant is guilty is called

A)adjudication.
B)indictment.
C)booking.
D)information.

Question 44

In the criminal justice "wedding cake," serious felonies are considered Layer

A)4.
B)3.
C)2.
D)1.

Question 45

Most defendants whose charges are not dropped ultimately

A)go to trial.
B)plead guilty.
C)serve long prison sentences.
D)are not guilty by reason of insanity.

Question 46

The criminal justice "wedding cake" layers reflect differences in how crimes are prioritized.Which statement best summarizes these layers?

A)All cases are basically the same.
B)Very few cases are handled through plea bargains.
C)Different cases receive different kinds of treatment.
D)Celebrated cases are no different from other cases.

Question 47

How much greater is the incarceration rate for African Americans as compared to whites?

A)Twice as great
B)Three times as great
C)Ten times as great
D)Six times as great

Question 48

The unequal treatment of one group by the criminal justice system compared with the treatment accorded other groups is called

A)federalism.
B)crime.
C)disparity.
D)due process.

Question 49

Compared to whites,African Americans and Hispanics are drawn into the criminal justice system at a

A)slightly lower rate.
B)slightly higher rate.
C)similar rate.
D)much higher rate.

Question 50

When we describe crime in America as intraracial,we mean that

A)victims and offenders tend to be of different racial groups.
B)victims and offenders tend to be of the same racial group.
C)race does not play a part in determining who becomes a victim and who becomes an offender.
D)racial differences can only be discovered using intra-group analysis.

Question 51

The State of Michigan v.Christopher Jones illustrated

A)the importance of selecting open-minded jurors.
B)the difficulties of proving guilt in a rape case.
C)the prosecutor's use of multiple charges to pressure defendants into pleading guilty.
D)that circumstantial evidence cannot be used to convict an offender.

Question 52

According to the textbook,which of the following is not an explanation for the racial and ethnic disparities that exist within the criminal justice system?

A)Minorities commit more crimes.
B)The criminal justice system is racist.
C)America is a racist society.
D)None of these are correct because any of these statements can explain the disparities.

Question 53

The person who is the "key link between the police and the courts" because s/he considers the facts of the case and decides whether there is probable cause to believe an offense was committed is the

A)judge.
B)defense attorney.
C)parole officer.
D)prosecutor.

Question 54

A court order issued by a judge authorizing police officers to make arrests or search premises is called a(n)

A)arrest.
B)warrant.
C)true bill.
D)booking.

Question 55

Which layer of the criminal justice "wedding cake" is the largest?

A)Misdemeanors
B)Serious felonies
C)Celebrated cases
D)Lesser felonies

Question 56

The United States has a ______ system.

A)dual court
B)triple court
C)one court
D)quadruple court

Question 57

Which term describes a person being physically taken into custody?

A)Warrant
B)Arrest
C)Indictment
D)Information

Question 58

Which layer of the criminal justice "wedding cake" consists of lesser felonies?

A)4
B)3
C)2
D)1

Question 59

Cases that are in the top layer of the criminal justice "wedding cake"

A)receive little public attention.
B)are usually misdemeanors.
C)are usually lesser felonies.
D)are played out as high drama.

Question 60

Which ethnic group is three times more likely to be subjected to investigatory traffic stops involving prolonged questioning and vehicle searches?

A)African Americans
B)Native Americans
C)Hispanics
D)Caucasian

Question 61

Christian is a 20-year-old African American male.He plays football for a Division I college and has a 4.0 GPA.Christian hopes to enter dental school at the completion of his undergraduate studies.Walking home late at night from the gym,campus security approaches him and demands to know what he is doing.Christian states that he is on his way back to his dorm.Campus security places him in handcuffs and says that he is under arrest for breaking and entering due to a recent report of a break-in with a suspect matching his description.Christian does not resist this arrest and hopes he can clarify the facts once they are at the station.African American males like Christian are often treated differently by the criminal justice system,a condition known as

A)racism.
B)racial profiling.
C)discrimination.
D)disparity.

Question 62

According to the text,deterrence and increasing use of technology are associated with which goal of the criminal justice system?

A)Administering justice
B)Controlling crime
C)Preventing crime
D)Eliminating crime

Question 63

To achieve the goals of criminal justice,many kinds of organizations-such as police,prosecution,_______,and corrections-have been formed.

A)courts
B)defense
C)bail bonds
D)magistrate

Question 64

Ly'ana is an FBI agent who has recently been called to a local police department to assist in investigating a theft of approximately $50,000.Ly'ana assisted the local department in solving the case and is preparing to go to court when the prosecutor informs her that the defense attorney has offered a deal.The defendant is willing to admit guilt and serve 18 months in prison.Which law allows Ly'ana,a federal law enforcer,to assist the local police department in the theft investigation?

A)Commission on Law Enforcement Act
B)Homeland Security Act
C)National Stolen Property Act
D)Transportation Security Act

Question 65

Ethan was arrested for public drunkenness and lewd and lascivious behavior after attending his close friend's bachelor party,marking his first encounter with the criminal justice system.He works as a project manager with a local construction company and has been involved with his girlfriend for three years.His attorney reached an agreement with the prosecutor to reduce his sentence to probation.That Ethan was arrested at all is an example of the justice system's use of

A)system analysis.
B)tasking.
C)discretion
D)resource allocation.

Question 66

Ly'ana is an FBI agent who has recently been called to a local police department to assist in investigating a theft of approximately $50,000.Ly'ana assisted the local department in solving the case and is preparing to go to court when the prosecutor informs her that the defense attorney has offered a deal.The defendant is willing to admit guilt and serve 18 months in prison.Which of the following represents the exchange relationship agreed to by the prosecution and defense in this case?

A)Sequential task
B)Filtering process
C)Discretion
D)Plea bargain

Question 67

Ethan was arrested for public drunkenness and lewd and lascivious behavior after attending his close friend's bachelor party,marking his first encounter with the criminal justice system.He works as a project manager with a local construction company and has been involved with his girlfriend for three years.His attorney reached an agreement with the prosecutor to reduce his sentence to probation.Which layer of the "wedding cake" model of criminal justice does Ethan's case fall into?

A)Layer 1
B)Layer 2
C)Layer 3
D)Layer 4

Question 68

Which term describes a document that charges an individual with a specific crime,is prepared by a prosecuting attorney,and is presented to a court at a preliminary hearing?

A)Indictment
B)Information
C)Arraignment
D)Warrant

Question 69

The criminal justice system is designed to control crime by arresting,prosecuting,convicting,and _______ those who disobey the law.

A)punishing
B)sentencing
C)incarcerating
D)instructing

Question 70

Ethan was arrested for public drunkenness and lewd and lascivious behavior after attending his close friend's bachelor party,marking his first encounter with the criminal justice system.He works as a project manager with a local construction company and has been involved with his girlfriend for three years.His attorney reached an agreement with the prosecutor to reduce his sentence to probation.Ethan agrees to a sentence of 18 months probation.What agency will administer his sentence?

A)Law enforcement
B)Courts
C)Corrections
D)Deferred prosecution

Question 71

Which of the following is not a legal justification for the expansion of the federal government's role in law enforcement?

A)The internationalization of crime
B)The creation of the Department of Homeland Security
C)The terrorist attacks of 9/11
D)Lack of effective local law enforcement

Question 72

Christian is a 20-year-old African American male.He plays football for a Division I college and has a 4.0 GPA.Christian hopes to enter dental school at the completion of his undergraduate studies.Walking home late at night from the gym,campus security approaches him and demands to know what he is doing.Christian states that he is on his way back to his dorm.Campus security places him in handcuffs and says that he is under arrest for breaking and entering due to a recent report of a break-in with a suspect matching his description.Christian does not resist this arrest and hopes he can clarify the facts once they are at the station.Christian's case may be seen as an example of the criminal justice system failing to enact

A)disparity.
B)racial profiling.
C)discrimination.
D)equal treatment

Question 73

The ______ is better able than any state agency to pursue criminal investigations across state borders.

A)U.S.Marshals Service
B)Secret Service
C)FBI
D)Homeland Security Department

Question 74

Ly'ana is an FBI agent who has recently been called to a local police department to assist in investigating a theft of approximately $50,000.Ly'ana assisted the local department in solving the case and is preparing to go to court when the prosecutor informs her that the defense attorney has offered a deal.The defendant is willing to admit guilt and serve 18 months in prison.What government entity passed the law that allowed Ly'ana,a federal law enforcer,to assist local law enforcement?

A)The U.S.president.
B)Congress.
C)The local mayor.
D)The governor.

Question 75

Which of the following is not a major duty of law enforcement agencies?

A)Keeping the peace
B)Preventing crime
C)Providing social services
D)Providing probation services

Question 76

Ly'ana is an FBI agent who has recently been called to a local police department to assist in investigating a theft of approximately $50,000.Ly'ana assisted the local department in solving the case and is preparing to go to court when the prosecutor informs her that the defense attorney has offered a deal.The defendant is willing to admit guilt and serve 18 months in prison.The offender in the theft case agreed to an 18-month prison sentence.What percentage of convicted felons are incarcerated for theft?

A)20%
B)30%
C)40%
D)50%

Question 77

A(n)_________ is returned by a grand jury as a true bill charging an individual with a specific crime on the basis of a determination of probable cause.

A)information
B)arrest
C)warrant
D)indictment

Question 78

Christian is a 20-year-old African American male.He plays football for a Division I college and has a 4.0 GPA.Christian hopes to enter dental school at the completion of his undergraduate studies.Walking home late at night from the gym,campus security approaches him and demands to know what he is doing.Christian states that he is on his way back to his dorm.Campus security places him in handcuffs and says that he is under arrest for breaking and entering due to a recent report of a break-in with a suspect matching his description.Christian does not resist this arrest and hopes he can clarify the facts once they are at the station.Because Christian was approached by security based upon his skin color,he is a victim of

A)disparity.
B)discrimination.
C)racial profiling.
D)racism.

Question 79

Ethan was arrested for public drunkenness and lewd and lascivious behavior after attending his close friend's bachelor party,marking his first encounter with the criminal justice system.He works as a project manager with a local construction company and has been involved with his girlfriend for three years.His attorney reached an agreement with the prosecutor to reduce his sentence to probation.Ethan's attorney and the prosecutor were able to work out an agreement of a reduced sentence based on the expectation of a guilty plea.This agreement is known as a

A)system.
B)task.
C)plea bargain.
D)filtering system.

Question 80

Ethan was arrested for public drunkenness and lewd and lascivious behavior after attending his close friend's bachelor party,marking his first encounter with the criminal justice system.He works as a project manager with a local construction company and has been involved with his girlfriend for three years.His attorney reached an agreement with the prosecutor to reduce his sentence to probation.In order for Ethan to be taken into custody for lewd and lascivious behavior,the arresting officer had to have

A)probable cause.
B)reasonable suspicion.
C)clear and convincing evidence.
D)reasonable doubt.