Question 1

A ____ is a civil wrong or injury resulting from a breach of a legal duty that exists by reason of society's expectations about appropriate behavior.

Accepted Answer

The definition given perfectly fits a tort, which is a type of civil wrong or injury resulting from a breach of a legal duty that exists by reason of society's expectations about appropriate behavior. Felony and misdemeanor are types of criminal offenses, white-collar crime refers to non-violent financial crimes committed by individuals or corporations, and civil rights violations are actions that deprive individuals of their rights based on discrimination.

Question 2

Under tort reform legislation passed in 2003,"pain and suffering" awards in medical malpractice suits are capped at ____.

Accepted Answer

The tort reform legislation passed in 2003 caps "pain and suffering" awards in medical malpractice suits at $250,000.

Question 3

In a Ben Sargent cartoon that appears in the text,the Statue of Liberty is shown gagged by an American flag.Explain how this cartoon illuminates the meaning of the First Amendment.Cite examples to support your arguments.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a Ben Sargent cartoon that appears...

Question 4

Opponents of the death penalty argue all but which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Social science studies are inconclusive as to whether the death penalty deters criminal behavior.

Question 5

The brutal death of James Byrd,Jr.in Jasper and the events following his death illustrate that

Accepted Answer

The events following James Byrd Jr.'s death, including the swift prosecution and sentencing of his killers, show that racism in Texas is neither dominant nor respectable. While racism still exists, the response of Texas officials to this heinous crime suggests that they take such acts seriously and are unwilling to tolerate them.

Question 6

The "equal protection of the laws" clause,which was the basis of the Supreme Court's 1954 ruling declaring racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional,is part of the ____ Amendment.

Accepted Answer

The "equal protection of the laws" clause is part of the Fourteenth Amendment of the US Constitution. This amendment was adopted in 1868 after the Civil War and was intended to ensure equal protection under the law to all citizens, regardless of race or ethnicity. The Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) was based on this clause, as the court found that separate public schools for black and white students were inherently unequal and therefore violated the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Question 7

In the case of ____,a state district court judge declared that the system of public education financing in Texas violated the state's constitution.

Accepted Answer

Edgewood Independent School District v. Kirby was a landmark case in Texas education finance. The state district court judge ruled that the system of funding for public education in Texas violated the state's constitution by failing to provide adequate and equal funding for all students, regardless of where they lived. This decision ultimately led to significant changes in the way Texas public schools are funded.

Question 8

Discuss the general lessons that can be drawn concerning civil rights in Texas from the text's account of the events in Tulia and Jasper.Take and defend a position regarding the following statement: "Texas,after a long struggle,has finally attained the goal of assuring equal protection of the laws."

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the general lessons that can be...

Question 9

Which of the following is a result of the tort reform movement?

Accepted Answer

The tort reform movement aims to reduce litigation and damages in civil lawsuits, leading to limitations on class-action suits, lawyer fees, and liability for companies, thus affecting the civil court system.

Question 10

In 1972,the U.S.Supreme Court temporarily stopped the states from carrying out capital punishment in large part because of its finding that the death penalty

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in 1972 (Furman v. Georgia) to temporarily halt capital punishment was significantly influenced by the finding that the death penalty was applied in a racially biased manner, leading to concerns about fairness and equality under the law.

Question 11

Discuss the relationship between democratic governance and civil liberties.Explain how the liberties of freedom of expression,freedom of religion,and the right to keep and bear arms are protected in Texas.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the relationship between democratic governance and...

Question 12

Texas executed ____ murderers between 1982 and the end of 2011.

Accepted Answer

Texas executed 470 murderers between 1982 and the end of 2011, as it has one of the highest execution rates in the United States.

Question 13

In the case of ____,a federal court found the Texas Department of Corrections (TDC)guilty of cruel and unusual punishment in the administration of the state's prison system.

Accepted Answer

The case of Ruiz v. Estelle, which was filed in 1972, involved allegations of poor living conditions, inadequate medical care, and general mistreatment of inmates in the Texas prison system. In 1980, a federal court found TDC guilty of cruel and unusual punishment, forcing the state to make significant changes to its prison policies and procedures. The case is considered a landmark ruling on the constitutional rights of prisoners and the responsibilities of corrections officials.

Question 14

Discuss the impact the tort reform movement has had on Texas consumers,businesses,and courts.Describe one scenario where citizens might be affected adversely by tort reform and another where they might benefit from tort reform.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the impact the tort reform movement...

Question 15

Discuss the role played by Texas in the movement to extend civil rights in the United States.Explain how the state has responded to federal court rulings pertaining to rights of convicted criminals and school segregation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the role played by Texas in...

Question 16

Historically,inequities in the amount of money available to local school districts in Texas have been the result of

Accepted Answer

The wide variations in the value of taxable property among school districts in Texas have historically led to inequities in the amount of money available to each district. This is because school funding in Texas relies heavily on property taxes, with wealthier districts being able to generate more revenue through property taxes than poorer districts. This has been the subject of numerous lawsuits and efforts to reform the school finance system in Texas.

Quiz 10: The Substance of Justice