Question 1

The ______ is supposed to make sure that the rules of the court process are enforced fairly.

Accepted Answer

The judge is responsible for ensuring that the rules of the court process are enforced fairly, overseeing the legal process in court, and maintaining order in the courtroom.

Question 2

With regard to the trial process, which of the following statements is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

The prosecution team is not inherently at an advantage; both the prosecution and defense have roles with their own challenges and resources. The statement implies an imbalance that does not universally apply to the trial process. The prosecution must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, while the defense's role is to challenge the prosecution's evidence and present their case, without the burden of proof.

Question 3

Because of their elected position and fear of being soft-on-crime criticism, some judges may be biased in favor of the ______.

Accepted Answer

Judges may be biased in favor of the prosecution due to their elected position and the fear of being criticized for being soft on crime, as siding with the prosecution can be perceived as taking a tougher stance on crime.

Question 4

Investigative reports are frequently used by ______ in the cross-examination of police officers.

Accepted Answer

Defense attorneys often use investigative reports to challenge the testimony or evidence presented by police officers during cross-examination. This is a strategy to find inconsistencies or errors that could benefit their client's case.

Question 5

Lay witnesses ______.

Accepted Answer

Lay witnesses can testify about what they have directly observed or experienced, but they generally cannot provide opinions unless they are based on their perceptions.

Question 6

Expert witnesses ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Expert witnesses ______.
...

Question 7

Questioning the quality of an investigator's reports, questioning the legality of an investigator's actions, questioning statements of fact, and calling into question an investigator's honesty and credibility are ______.

Accepted Answer

These are all recognized methods of impeaching, or challenging, the credibility of a witness in a legal context, including an investigator witness. Impeachment is a legitimate part of legal proceedings used to question the reliability or credibility of a witness's testimony.

Question 8

Bad investigations produce ______, which may contribute to bad outcomes.

Accepted Answer

Bad investigations often result in bad evidence, which can lead to incorrect conclusions and potentially bad outcomes in legal or investigative processes.

Question 9

In nearly every case where there was a false conviction (excluding homicides), inaccurate ______ played a role in the outcome.

Accepted Answer

Eyewitness identifications have been shown to play a role in many false convictions, as they can be unreliable and influenced by various factors, leading to inaccuracies in the judicial process.

Question 10

The goal of the cross-examination is to ______ the witness.

Accepted Answer

The goal of cross-examination is to impeach the witness, which means to challenge the credibility or reliability of the witness's testimony.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT true about lay witnesses?

Accepted Answer

Lay witnesses may provide perjured testimony for various reasons, including a desire for revenge, protecting someone else, or disguising their own illegal behaviors. However, hating cops is not a common reason for lay witnesses to provide perjured testimony.

Question 12

In which of the following situations is an investigator NOT required to provide testimony?

Accepted Answer

During a voir dire, the purpose is to question prospective jurors or experts to determine their qualifications and suitability. Investigators are not required to provide testimony in this phase, as it primarily involves the selection of the jury or examination of the qualifications of an expert witness, rather than the presentation of evidence or examination of the facts of the case.

Question 13

Investigators should ______.

Accepted Answer

Investigators should not provide testimony on evidence that has been ruled inadmissible by the judge, as this would violate legal standards and potentially prejudice the case.

Question 14

Investigators should NOT ______.

Accepted Answer

Investigators should always tell the truth, be prepared, and stick to the facts. However, they should not disclose more information than necessary, as it could compromise the investigation or violate confidentiality.

Question 15

A ______ is a proceeding that does NOT occur in court and is before a trial. It provides an attorney an opportunity to ask questions of a witness before the case goes to trial.

Accepted Answer

A deposition is a legal process where attorneys ask witnesses questions under oath before a trial, outside of court. This allows both parties to gather information and prepare their cases.

Question 16

A ______ is a jury selection process.

Accepted Answer

Voir dire is the process of questioning prospective jurors to determine their suitability for jury service.

Question 17

Investigator testimony is a form of ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Investigator testimony is a form of ______.
...

Question 18

Regarding scientific opinions, which of the following is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Scientific opinions can sometimes involve experts who are hired or compensated for their testimonies, especially in legal or policy contexts.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT true about defense attorney misconduct?

Accepted Answer

Defense attorneys often have large caseloads, and while they do use plea bargains to manage these, saying they have small caseloads because of this is not accurate. The use of plea bargains is a tool to efficiently handle many cases, not an indication of a small workload.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT true about police misconduct?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is NOT true...

Quiz 15: The Presentation of Evidence