Question 1

Trial courts of limited jurisdiction have jurisdiction over all offenses, including felonies and appeals.

Accepted Answer

Trial courts of limited jurisdiction generally have jurisdiction only over petty offenses, misdemeanors, and civil cases involving smaller amounts of money. They do not deal with felony cases or appeals.

Question 2

The occupation of "bail bondsman" is a job unique to the United States.

Accepted Answer

The bail bondsman profession is primarily found in the United States due to its unique bail system, which is not commonly used in other countries.

Question 3

State courts have huge caseloads.

Accepted Answer

State courts have to handle a large number of cases ranging from criminal to civil disputes, family law, and other matters. The increasing number of cases often leads to backlogs and delays in the judicial system.

Question 4

Most criminal cases are heard at the federal level.

Accepted Answer

Most criminal cases are heard at the state level, as states have jurisdiction over the majority of criminal matters. Federal courts handle cases involving federal law or interstate issues.

Question 5

The fragmented structure of state courts is the biggest barrier to effective justice.

Accepted Answer

The fragmented structure of state courts, with varying levels of jurisdiction and authority, can create inconsistencies and inefficiencies in the administration of justice. It can also make it more difficult for individuals to navigate the legal system and achieve fair outcomes.

Question 6

It is impossible for a poor person to become a judge.

Accepted Answer

While it may be more difficult for a poor person to become a judge due to barriers such as higher education costs and lack of connections, it is not impossible. There are programs and initiatives aimed at increasing diversity and access to the legal field, and individuals from all backgrounds have become judges through hard work and dedication to their legal careers.

Question 7

The criterion for deciding if evidence is strong enough to uphold an arrest is called probable cause.

Accepted Answer

Probable cause is the legal standard used in the United States to determine if there is enough evidence for police to make an arrest, conduct a search or obtain a warrant. It is the minimum level of evidence required to justify these actions under the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution.

Question 8

Judges selected based on merit must eventually face public election.

Accepted Answer

In some states or countries, judges are initially appointed based on merit, but later they must face public election to retain their position. This is true for many states in the United States, such as Pennsylvania and Texas. However, in some states or countries, judges are appointed for life without ever facing public election.

Question 9

The American legal system is based on a passive judge and jury seeking to find the truth as attorneys for each side argue vigorously.

Accepted Answer

The American legal system is based on an adversarial system, with opposing attorneys advocating for their clients and the judge and jury serving as impartial decision-makers seeking to determine the truth based on the evidence presented by each side. In this system, the judge is generally passive and does not actively participate in the presentation of evidence or the arguments made by attorneys.

Question 10

All courts in the United States use a basic three-tiered structure.

Accepted Answer

This is true. The three tiers are the trial court, the appellate court, and the Supreme Court.

Question 11

Most felony cases are disposed of by dismissals.

Accepted Answer

Most felony cases are disposed of through plea bargaining or being found guilty at trial. Dismissals are a possible outcome but not the most common.

Question 12

Both prosecutors and defense attorneys can bring pretrial motions in court proceedings.

Accepted Answer

Both prosecutors and defense attorneys have the right to bring pretrial motions in court proceedings. These motions are requests asking the judge to make a ruling or take a particular action before the trial begins.

Question 13

Appellate courts do not try criminal cases.

Accepted Answer

Appellate courts review decisions made by lower courts and do not conduct trials; they focus on legal errors in the trial process.

Question 14

After a suspect is arrested, he or she can be deprived of freedom, even if a finding of guilty is unlikely.

Accepted Answer

The answer of After a suspect is arrested, he or...

Question 15

Very few efforts have been made to reform state courts in the twentieth century.

Accepted Answer

Many efforts have been made to reform state courts in the twentieth century, including the creation of specialized courts, the adoption of alternative dispute resolution methods, and the implementation of new technologies for case management.

Question 16

Trial courts of general jurisdiction handle only misdemeanors and lawsuits for small amounts of money.

Accepted Answer

Trial courts of general jurisdiction have the authority to hear both criminal and civil cases, including felonies and lawsuits for large amounts of money.

Question 17

The geographic territory that defines a court's authority is called jurisdiction.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true.

Question 18

At the heart of reform of state courts is the goal of making the process more complex.

Accepted Answer

The goal of state court reform is generally to make the process simpler and more efficient, not more complex.

Question 19

The United States has a dual court system.

Accepted Answer

The United States has a dual court system consisting of federal and state courts.

Question 20

Judges have a variety of roles within the judicial system.

Accepted Answer

Judges play several roles within the judicial system, such as interpreting the law, applying the law, sentencing convicted criminals, and protecting individual rights.

Quiz 9: Courts and Pretrial Processes