Question 1

In the 75 busiest urban U.S.counties in 2009, over what percentage of all felony convictions were secured by the accused admitting guilt, rather than by a jury's verdict or judge's decision?

Accepted Answer

According to the given information, the percentage of felony convictions secured by admitting guilt is not specified for the 75 busiest urban U.S. counties in 2009. Therefore, we can assume that the given percentage is for all U.S. counties. According to a study by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2009, 95% of all felony convictions in the U.S. were secured by guilty pleas rather than by a jury's verdict or judge's decision. Therefore, the best choice is D.

Question 2

Prosecutors' offices can and should serve victims by doing which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Prosecutors' offices can and should provide all of these victim services, which include keeping victims informed of court dates, conveying their views to the judge, and taking steps to protect their clients. By doing so, prosecutors can ensure that victims feel supported and empowered throughout the legal process.

Question 3

Prosecutors may have difficulty balancing the interests of the government, their own bureaucracies, and their clients if they

Accepted Answer

Prosecutors may view high-profile or significant cases as opportunities to advance their careers, which can lead to conflicts between their personal ambitions and the interests of justice, the government, or their clients.

Question 4

A federal truth-in-sentencing law, passed in 1987 and adopted in most states, requires offenders to serve at least what percentage of their court-imposed sentences?

Accepted Answer

The federal truth-in-sentencing law requires offenders to serve at least 85% of their court-imposed sentences.

Question 5

To address the problems and needs of victims and witnesses, the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration funded which of the following for the first time during the mid-1970s.

Accepted Answer

The Law Enforcement Assistance Administration funded Victim-Witness Assistance Projects for the first time during the mid-1970s to address the problems and needs of victims and witnesses.

Question 6

Which of the following does the Code of Professional Responsibility clearly prohibit defense attorneys from doing when cross-examining witnesses?

Accepted Answer

The Code of Professional Responsibility prohibits attorneys from engaging in conduct that is intended to harass or maliciously harm the witness during cross-examination. This includes questioning that serves no purpose other than to embarrass, annoy, or harm the witness.

Question 7

Measuring victim intimidation in the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) is very difficult, in part because

Accepted Answer

Measuring victim intimidation in the NCVS is difficult because those who are intimidated from reporting may be unwilling to disclose to the interviewer. This means that the survey may not accurately capture the extent to which victim intimidation is occurring. While lack of agreement on what constitutes intimidation and the rates of nonreporting are also challenges in measuring victim intimidation, they are not specifically related to the NCVS. The small remunerations provided to NCVS participants may be a potential bias, but it is not specifically related to measuring victim intimidation.

Question 8

According to advocates, some rights that victims gain should come at the expense of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Victims' rights advocates often argue that certain rights for victims should be enhanced or prioritized within the justice system, which may involve changes or sacrifices from justice system officials and agencies, such as law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts, to ensure victims are treated fairly and respectfully.

Question 9

When would-be complainants experience strong pressures from their own families and friends not to come forward and tell the police what has happened, they have experienced which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Cultural intimidation refers to the societal or cultural pressures that prevent individuals from reporting crimes, typically due to fear of retribution or ostracization from their community. This can often come from family and friends who may believe that reporting a crime will bring shame or dishonor to the family or community. Fear of reprisal refers to a similar fear of retribution or retaliation, but specifically from the perpetrator or their associates. Amnestic pressure and false memory syndrome are not applicable in this scenario.

Question 10

In which year was a national government committee first acknowledged the economic burdens for victims going to trial?

Accepted Answer

In 1931, the Wickersham Commission report first acknowledged the economic burdens for victims going to trial, highlighting the need for reform in the criminal justice system to better support victims.

Question 11

In which of the following states was the nation's first juvenile court set up?

Accepted Answer

The first juvenile court in the United States was established in Chicago, Illinois in 1899.

Question 12

A stalling strategy has succeeded when

Accepted Answer

A stalling strategy succeeds when the victim gives up and fails to appear in court, as this often results in the case being dismissed or the charges being dropped. None of the other options necessarily signify a successful stalling strategy.

Question 13

Which of the following was the first state to adopt a Child Victims' Bill of Rights?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following was the first...

Question 14

Which of the following enables injured parties to directly convey to the judge (and the public) the extent of their suffering and their beliefs about what an appropriate sentence might be?

Accepted Answer

Allocution is the process by which injured parties directly address the judge and the public to convey their suffering and their beliefs about an appropriate sentence for the offender. This helps the judge to make an informed decision about the sentence to be given to the offender.

Question 15

Which of the following refers to the resolution of criminal matters through agreements made between Assistant District Attorneys and defense counsels?

Accepted Answer

The resolution of criminal matters through agreements made between Assistant District Attorneys and defense counsels is commonly referred to as plea negotiation. Restitution refers to the payment of damages or compensation to a victim of a crime. Reparations typically refers to the payment of compensation or restitution on a larger scale, such as a government making reparations to a group of people who have been wronged. A community service agreement typically refers to an agreement between an individual and the community to perform certain tasks or services in exchange for a reduced sentence or other benefits.

Question 16

In the criminal justice system, pledges, entitlements, privileges, benefits, options, practices, and opportunities for redress are commonly referred to as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

These are commonly referred to as victims' rights in the criminal justice system, as they are designed to protect and support the rights of crime victims. Just deserts refers to the principle of proportionality in punishment, prosecutorial bargains and plea deals of the hour are specific legal agreements made during criminal proceedings.

Question 17

Which of the following constitutional amendments guarantees accused persons the right to a speedy trial?

Accepted Answer

The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees accused persons the right to a speedy trial.

Question 18

Who among the following are the chief law enforcement officials within their jurisdictions?

Accepted Answer

Prosecutors are typically considered the chief law enforcement officials within their jurisdictions as they are responsible for bringing criminal charges against individuals and representing the state or government in criminal proceedings. Assistant District Attorneys and defense attorneys are legal professionals who assist in the prosecution or defense of criminal cases, respectively, but they do not hold the same level of authority as prosecutors. Judges oversee court proceedings and ensure that legal procedures are followed, but they are not typically considered law enforcement officials.

Question 19

Intimidation can be directed against who among the following?

Accepted Answer

Intimidation can be directed against defendants, defense lawyers, and reluctant defense witnesses. All of these participants are vulnerable to intimidation in the criminal justice system.

Question 20

Which of the following refers to the variation among judges in the severity of punishment they mete out in comparable cases?

Accepted Answer

Sentence disparity refers to the variation among judges in the severity of punishment they mete out in comparable cases.

Quiz 7: Victims and the Criminal Justice System: Cooperation and Conflict