Question 1

Which of the following is NOT true regarding plea bargaining?

Accepted Answer

Plea bargains often lead to dissatisfaction among victims, as they may feel that justice has not been fully served when the accused receives a reduced sentence in exchange for a guilty plea. This can leave victims feeling that the outcome is unjust or that their experiences and losses are undervalued by the legal system.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT true regarding state court organizational structures?

Accepted Answer

Typically, the more recently a court system has been overhauled, the simpler and more streamlined it becomes, not more complex.

Question 3

The neutral entity that makes an authoritative decision and is comprised of a cross-section of the community is known as the

Accepted Answer

A jury is a group of people (the cross-section of the community) selected to make a decision in a legal case, thus fitting the description of a neutral entity making an authoritative decision.

Question 4

Most trials are known as "bench trials," which means that

Accepted Answer

In a bench trial, a single judge is responsible for running the trial and making the final decision regarding the case, rather than a jury.

Question 5

Which of the following crimes is considered a federal offense?

Accepted Answer

Kidnapping is considered a federal offense, especially when it involves crossing state lines, which brings it under federal jurisdiction according to the FBI.

Question 6

Which of the following regarding state court systems is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Unlike the federal court system, where judges are appointed for life, most state court systems require judges to face election or retention votes at some point, making them accountable to the electorate. This is a significant difference from the lifetime appointments of federal judges.

Question 7

Laws that limit the right to sue or the amount that can be awarded in a lawsuit fall into the category of

Accepted Answer

Tort reform refers to laws designed to reduce litigation or to cap the damages that can be awarded in lawsuits, particularly in personal injury cases. It aims to prevent frivolous lawsuits and limit the amounts that can be awarded to make the legal system more predictable and less costly.

Question 8

In Iowa in 2010,three Supreme Court Justices

Accepted Answer

In 2010, three Iowa Supreme Court Justices lost their merit retention elections as a direct backlash from their unanimous decision in 2009 to legalize same-sex marriage in the state. This event was significant because it was the first time since the inception of the merit retention system in 1962 that any Iowa Supreme Court justice had been removed from office in this manner.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT one of the responsibilities given to top state prosecutors and district attorneys?

Accepted Answer

Top state prosecutors and district attorneys are primarily responsible for prosecuting criminal cases, not acting as the governor's lawyer in trial cases. This role is distinct from the responsibilities of state attorneys general or other legal representatives who might represent the state government in legal matters.

Question 10

Which of the following regarding state court systems is true?

Accepted Answer

State court systems often handle a vast number of lawsuits, many of which result in either no money or only a modest amount of money being awarded. This reflects the reality that not all legal disputes involve large sums of money or result in significant financial compensation for the injured party.

Question 11

The court system that a case goes into depends primarily on

Accepted Answer

The court system a case is assigned to primarily depends on the nature of the crime or conflict involved, as different courts have jurisdiction over different types of cases (e.g., criminal, civil, family, etc.).

Question 12

A traditional system of law concerning contracts and injuries that has evolved case by case over the past 500 years is known as

Accepted Answer

Common law is a body of unwritten laws based on legal precedents established by the courts. It has evolved over time through the decisions of judges in individual cases.

Question 13

Approximately what percentage of cases moves beyond trial courts?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 1 percent of cases move beyond trial courts, as the vast majority are resolved or decided at the trial court level.

Question 14

Which of the following courts judge questions about the fairness of a trial?

Accepted Answer

Intermediate courts of appeal review cases to determine if the trial was conducted fairly and according to the law.

Question 15

Which of the following courts tends to be the only one seen fit for television drama series?

Accepted Answer

Trial courts are often depicted in television drama series because they involve direct interaction between the parties, witnesses, and the jury, making them more dynamic and engaging for viewers. These courts handle the initial phase of litigation, including evidence presentation and witness testimony, which provides dramatic material for storytelling.

Question 16

The Florida 2012 Supreme Court merit retention judicial elections revealed that

Accepted Answer

The 2012 Florida Supreme Court merit retention elections demonstrated that what are supposed to be nonpartisan merit retention votes can indeed become highly partisan, as seen in the campaigns and public discourse surrounding the elections.

Question 17

Which of the following courts handles suits claiming limited amounts of damages with that limit ranging from a maximum of $1,500 in Kentucky to $25,000 in Tennessee,and the typical state amount averaging $5,000?

Accepted Answer

Small claims courts are designed to handle minor disputes involving limited amounts of money in a more informal setting than higher courts. The maximum amount that can be claimed varies by state, with the examples given illustrating this range.

Question 18

State courts are a central part of government,not only enforcing the law and settling conflicts,but sometimes

Accepted Answer

State courts play a significant role in making public policy through their interpretations of state law and the constitution, which can influence and shape policy decisions and legal standards within the state.

Question 19

In civil cases,the party that feels it has been injured is known as the

Accepted Answer

In civil cases, the party that feels it has been injured and initiates the lawsuit is known as the plaintiff.

Question 20

Suing a person because you feel he or she injured you is a common way of settling disputes in the Anglo-American tradition of common law,and is called a(n)

Accepted Answer

A tort is a civil wrong that causes a claimant to suffer loss or harm, resulting in legal liability for the person who commits the tortious act. It is the basis for a lawsuit in the Anglo-American common law tradition when one party alleges injury by another.

Quiz 9: State Courts and the Criminal Justice System