Question 1

Who has the greatest impact on determining what constitutes a federal crime?

Accepted Answer

Congress has the greatest impact on determining what constitutes a federal crime because it is responsible for enacting federal criminal laws. The U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to “define and punish” federal crimes, and it has exercised that power by passing numerous federal criminal statutes over the years. While the president, U.S. attorney general, and district court judges may all play important roles in enforcing federal criminal laws, they do not have the same level of authority as Congress in determining what those laws should be.

Question 2

Which of the following is an element of a crime?

Accepted Answer

Mens rea, meaning "guilty mind," refers to the mental state or intention of the perpetrator when committing a crime, and is an important element in proving criminal liability. A, B, and C are not elements of a crime.

Question 3

Hate speech is protected in part by which amendment?

Accepted Answer

The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, including hateful speech. However, there are some limitations to this protection, such as when the speech poses a direct threat or incites violence.

Question 4

Which type of cost associated with crime refers to the money lost by an offender's decision to commit crime rather than engaging in legal and productive behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Crime career costs refer to the costs incurred by offenders as a result of their criminal behavior, including lost earnings and potential legal fines and fees. Psychological costs refer to the emotional and psychological impact of crime on victims, while victim costs refer to the expenses incurred by victims as a result of the crime (such as medical bills or lost wages). Criminal justice system costs refer to the expenses associated with the arrest, prosecution, and incarceration of offenders.

Question 5

The cost of justice-based practices was estimated to be $283 billion annually. Which component of the criminal justice system consumed the largest part (47.8%) of those costs?

Accepted Answer

Law enforcement consumed the largest part of the costs, accounting for 47.8% of the $283 billion spent annually on justice-based practices.

Question 6

The four types of media include broadcast media, digital media, print media, and _______ media.

Accepted Answer

The four types of media include broadcast media (such as television and radio), digital media (such as websites, social media, and online advertising), print media (such as newspapers and magazines), and outdoor media (such as billboards and signage). Therefore, the correct answer is D) outdoor media.

Question 7

Which of the following uses media outlets to interrupt radio and television broadcasts with information regarding child abductions?

Accepted Answer

The AMBER Plan uses media outlets to interrupt radio and television broadcasts with information regarding child abductions. The First Alert System is a weather warning system. Crimestoppers and Watchdogs are programs aimed at preventing and solving crimes, but they do not specifically focus on child abductions.

Question 8

Ultimately, the U.S. Constitution provides the basis for all legislation in the United States.

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the land and serves as the foundation for all laws and policies in the United States.

Question 9

Failing to pay one's taxes would be considered an act of commission.

Accepted Answer

An act of commission involves actively doing something wrong, while failing to pay taxes is an act of omission, which involves neglecting to do something required.

Question 10

All homicides are illegal.

Accepted Answer

Some homicides, such as those committed in self-defense or by law enforcement in the line of duty, may be considered legal under certain circumstances.

Question 11

Concurrence, as it pertains to the elements of a crime, refers to the requirement that the criminal act must be witnessed by somebody for it to be considered a crime.

Accepted Answer

Concurrence refers to the requirement that the criminal act (actus reus) and the criminal intent (mens rea) must occur at the same time for it to be considered a crime, regardless of whether or not it was witnessed by someone.

Question 12

The Freedom of Information Act generally requires government agencies to share their records with the public.

Accepted Answer

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal law that gives the public the right to request access to government records. FOIA generally requires government agencies to share their records with the public, with some exceptions for sensitive and classified information.

Question 13

Incapacitation as a criminal justice policy is primarily operationalized through treatment, education, and counseling.

Accepted Answer

Incapacitation as a criminal justice policy is primarily operationalized through imprisonment or confinement, not treatment, education, or counseling.

Question 14

The Harrison Narcotics Tax Act (1914) is often recognized as the first drug control policy in the United States.

Accepted Answer

The Harrison Narcotics Tax Act of 1914 was the first federal drug control policy in the United States.

Question 15

Identify the elements of a crime and note which two you believe are the most difficult for prosecutors to prove in court.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify the elements of a crime and...

Question 16

Criminal justice policymaking has generally involved incapacitation, deterrence, retribution, and/or rehabilitation. Discuss each of these approaches and provide an example of a policy (real or fictitious) that emphasizes each.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Criminal justice policymaking has generally involved incapacitation,...

Quiz 2: Crime in Context