Question 1

According to a 2006 ABCNEWS.com survey, approximately what percentage of Americans who perceive a crime problem nationally say their belief is based on crime reports they have seen on the news?

Accepted Answer

According to the 2006 ABCNEWS.com survey, approximately 80% of Americans who perceive a crime problem nationally say their belief is based on crime reports they have seen on the news.

Question 2

Approximately how many hours a day does the average American spend in front of the television, according to a 2009 study by Ball State University's Center for Media Design?

Accepted Answer

The study found that the average American spends about 5 hours a day in front of the television.

Question 3

Critics of the American media argue that the news media have a dual obligation to

Accepted Answer

Critics often argue that the media should provide a more balanced view of crime, covering both domestic and international issues without overemphasizing sensational crimes, which can skew public perception.

Question 4

According to a 2010 public opinion poll, approximately what percentage of Americans responded that they had a "great deal" or "quite a lot"
Of confidence in the criminal justice system?

Accepted Answer

According to a 2010 public opinion poll, approximately 25% of Americans responded that they had a "great deal" or "quite a lot" of confidence in the criminal justice system. This reflects a general skepticism or lack of confidence among the majority of the population towards the system at that time.

Question 5

Approximately how many agencies of federal, state, and local governments comprise criminal justice in the United States?

Accepted Answer

There are approximately 50,000 agencies of federal, state, and local governments that comprise the criminal justice system in the United States, reflecting the complexity and scale of law enforcement and legal processes across the country.

Question 6

About ________ of criminal defendants plead guilty to the charges against them, in an arrangement called plea bargaining.

Accepted Answer

Approximately 95% of criminal defendants plead guilty to the charges against them through a process known as plea bargaining. This high percentage reflects the common use of plea bargains in the criminal justice system to resolve cases without going to trial.

Question 7

Defendants can appeal their convictions on constitutional grounds. Which of the following is NOT one of the constitutional grounds described in your textbook?

Accepted Answer

The correct constitutional grounds for appealing a conviction include incompetent assistance of counsel, improper questioning by the police, and issues with the identification process through a police lineup. Freedom of speech and public assembly, while constitutional rights, are not typically grounds for appealing a criminal conviction on their own.

Question 8

On which of the following components of criminal justice was the most money spent in 2009?

Accepted Answer

In 2009, the largest portion of criminal justice spending was on police protection. This includes expenses related to law enforcement agencies, which typically consume the most significant part of the budget within the criminal justice system.

Question 9

In 2009, which level of government spent the most on police protection?

Accepted Answer

Local governments typically bear the largest share of police protection expenses, as policing is primarily a local responsibility, involving city or municipal police departments and county sheriffs.

Question 10

In 2009, which level of government spent the most on corrections?

Accepted Answer

In 2009, state governments spent the most on corrections, primarily due to their responsibility for managing state prisons, which house the majority of inmates in the United States.

Question 11

In 2009, approximately what percentage of all government expenditures were spent on criminal justice?

Accepted Answer

In 2009, approximately 4% of all government expenditures were spent on criminal justice.

Question 12

How much did the state of Florida reportedly spend to administer justice to serial murderer Ted Bundy?

Accepted Answer

The state of Florida reportedly spent around $10,000,000 to administer justice to Ted Bundy, including costs related to his trial and incarceration.

Question 13

Criminal justice is primarily a state and local function.

Accepted Answer

Criminal justice in the United States is primarily a state and local function, with states and local governments responsible for law enforcement, criminal proceedings, and corrections. Federal involvement typically occurs in cases that cross state lines or involve federal laws.

Question 14

Assume that an arrest is made and the defendant is found guilty. Number the following steps in the order in which they occur in the criminal justice process. Numbers should be from 1 to 11.
____ Possible appeal
____ Either indictment by a grand jury followed by arraignment, or arraignment on an information
____ Formal charging of the suspect
____ Arrest
____ Preliminary hearing (for a felony)
____ Sentencing
____ Booking
____ Investigation
____ Initial appearance
____ Punishment
____ Either a plea bargain or a trial

Accepted Answer

The answer of Assume that an arrest is made and...

Question 15

List the three principal kinds of charging documents and describe for which type of offense each is used.

Accepted Answer

The answer of List the three principal kinds of charging...

Question 16

Your neighbor realizes you are studying criminal justice and asks for your opinion regarding his cousin's recent encounter with the law. It seems that cousin Michael, a 25-year-old and a new homeowner, had a fight with his neighbor, Jack. Michael had just planted some new roses on what he thought was his property when Jack came outside and claimed the roses were on his property. At first, Michael tried to handle the situation calmly, but when Jack said he would pull out the roses, Michael and Jack started shouting loudly at one another. A friend called the police, who responded and warned both Michael and Jack that they needed to calm down or they could be charged with a misdemeanor for disturbing the peace. After the police left, Jack waited and then stole the roses from out of the ground and was observed by Michael's newly-installed video cameras as the culprit. Michael went to the police and signed a complaint for felony larceny due to the cost of the roses. Now, your neighbor wants to know what is likely to happen to Jack. Explain what is likely to occur by outlining the stages from arrest to the possible disposition of the case, using either the crime control or due process model. Assume this is Jack's first offense and that he fully admits to taking the roses.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Your neighbor realizes you are studying criminal...

Question 17

Using your local law enforcement jurisdiction as an example, gather the most recently published crime statistics, as well as a review of recent headlines, and prepare an answer to the following scenario:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Using your local law enforcement jurisdiction as...

Quiz 1: Crime and Justice in the United States