Question 1

Which of the following is NOT one of the main decisions points for prosecutors?

Accepted Answer

Prosecutors do not decide whether to arrest a suspect; that decision is typically made by law enforcement based on their investigations and evidence.

Question 2

Preadjudication diversion

Accepted Answer

Preadjudication diversion allows the defendant to be supervised in the community before pleading guilty, offering an alternative to traditional prosecution.

Question 3

How long does the average criminal trial last?

Accepted Answer

The duration of a criminal trial can vary widely based on the complexity of the case, the jurisdiction, and the legal system involved. However, many criminal trials are relatively short, often concluding in less than a week, especially if the case is straightforward and does not involve extensive evidence or witness testimony.

Question 4

Which program type depends on correctional resources available in the community to assist the offender in seeking help and abiding by certain conditions?

Accepted Answer

Community corrections programs depend on correctional resources available in the community to assist offenders in seeking help and abiding by certain conditions, as opposed to being incarcerated in institutions or jails.

Question 5

Compared with other countries, the United States incarceration rate is

Accepted Answer

The United States has a significantly higher incarceration rate than most other countries, including both industrialized and developing nations. This is due to a variety of factors, including its criminal justice policies and the prevalence of long sentences.

Question 6

Repeated and cumulative media exposure is thought to contribute to insecurity and fear of crime according to

Accepted Answer

Cultivation theory suggests that long-term exposure to media, especially television, shapes viewers' perceptions of reality, often leading to more insecurity and fear of crime by portraying a world that is more dangerous than it actually is.

Question 7

Crime policy in the United States are more punitive than crime policies in other Western countries for each of the following reasons EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

In the United States, judges and prosecutors are not typically career civil servants who receive special training in the same way as in some other Western countries. Instead, many judges and prosecutors are elected officials, and their roles can be highly politicized. This contrasts with the systems in place in many other Western countries, where judges and prosecutors often follow a career path that includes extensive training and is less influenced by political considerations.

Question 8

To be considered of high quality, a program should

Accepted Answer

High-quality programs should demonstrate significant differences between treatment and control groups, indicating the program's effectiveness. Validity and reliability are both important for quality, but significant differences provide direct evidence of impact.

Question 9

The more effective treatment interventions are those that

Accepted Answer

The answer of The more effective treatment interventions are those...

Question 10

Intensive treatment for lower-risk offenders

Accepted Answer

Intensive treatment for lower-risk offenders can inadvertently increase the likelihood of recidivism. This is because such interventions can disrupt the stable aspects of their lives that support desistance from crime, and overexpose them to higher-risk individuals, potentially reinforcing criminal behavior rather than mitigating it.

Question 11

When considering how staff members such as probation officers or community corrections counselors relate to offenders

Accepted Answer

The quality of interactions between staff members (like probation officers or community corrections counselors) and offenders is crucial for effective rehabilitation and support. Quality interactions can lead to better outcomes than simply increasing the number of interactions without focusing on their substance.

Question 12

Since 2011, prison populations in the United States have increased dramatically after having consistently declined for 40 years.

Accepted Answer

Since 2011, the overall prison population in the United States has shown a trend of slight decline, reversing the growth trend that had been in place for several decades prior.

Question 13

The police enforce the law, keep social order, and preserve public safety for their particular jurisdiction.

Accepted Answer

The police are responsible for enforcing laws, maintaining social order, and ensuring the safety of the public within their designated jurisdiction.

Question 14

Weak or inadequate evidence is not a good reason for dismissing a case during initial screening since evidence is unimportant until trial.

Accepted Answer

Weak or inadequate evidence is a valid reason for dismissing a case during initial screening because the strength and adequacy of evidence are crucial for determining whether a case has enough merit to proceed to trial.

Question 15

The pretrial release decision is made prior to arrest so that defendants who qualify can be released and supervised in the community before their first court date.

Accepted Answer

The pretrial release decision is made after arrest but before the trial, to determine if a defendant can be released from custody while awaiting trial.

Question 16

If an offender on diversion supervision does not comply with the court-stipulated conditions, he or she is sentenced but there is no formal record of conviction.

Accepted Answer

If an offender on diversion supervision does not comply with the court-stipulated conditions, the diversion agreement can be revoked, and the offender may then face formal prosecution for the original charges, which can lead to a conviction and a formal record of that conviction.

Question 17

The continuum of sanctions concept refers to the idea that sentencing is complex and involves trying to meet more than one sentencing goal.

Accepted Answer

The continuum of sanctions concept acknowledges the complexity of sentencing, recognizing that it aims to achieve multiple goals such as punishment, deterrence, rehabilitation, and restitution, rather than a single objective.

Question 18

The war on drugs has had a pronounced effect on the federal prison system, and greatly reduced the number of incarcerated women.

Accepted Answer

The war on drugs has significantly increased the number of incarcerated individuals in the federal prison system, including women, with a notable rise in the female prison population due to drug-related offenses.

Question 19

Most research suggests that the more punitive states tend also to have lower rates of poverty, fewer persons who are African-American, and more generous welfare payments for impoverished persons.

Accepted Answer

Research often shows that more punitive states, particularly in the context of the United States, tend to have higher rates of poverty, a larger proportion of African-American populations, and less generous welfare payments for impoverished persons. These factors are interconnected with broader socio-economic and racial disparities.

Question 20

Crime policies in the United States appear to be more punitive than in other Western countries because the United States relies more on rational decision making.

Accepted Answer

Crime policies in the United States are considered more punitive due to a variety of factors including historical, cultural, and political influences, rather than solely relying on rational decision-making. The U.S. has a higher incarceration rate and longer sentences compared to other Western countries, which is influenced by its unique approach to crime and punishment, not just rational decision-making processes.

Quiz 1: An Evidence-Based Approach to Corrections