Question 1

Community service is all but one of the following:

Accepted Answer

Community service is not typically used as a punitive measure, but rather as a way to give back to the community and make amends for wrongful actions. Therefore, option A is the best choice as it is not a characteristic of community service.

Question 2

One problem with fines is the:

Accepted Answer

One problem with fines is the difficulty in collecting them. Offenders may evade payment, and the process of pursuing payment can be time-consuming and costly for the agency or organization responsible for collecting the fine.

Question 3

The RICO Act initiated the use of __________ as a sanction.

Accepted Answer

The RICO Act stands for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. It authorizes civil sanctions of forfeitures for racketeers and others engaged in specified illegal activities. Forfeiture allows law enforcement to seize property or assets acquired through criminal means. Therefore, forfeiture is the primary sanction used under the RICO Act.

Question 4

When the offender most often pays into a victims' fund for damages caused by the crime, it is known as:

Accepted Answer

Restitution involves the offender making financial compensation to the victim for the damages caused by their crime. This often takes the form of paying into a victims' fund. Day fines involve a fine amount based on the offender's daily income, retribution involves punishment towards the offender, and reintegration involves the process of reintegrating an offender back into society after being released from prison.

Question 5

A court order requiring an offender to perform a certain number of work hours at a private nonprofit or a government agency is a:

Accepted Answer

A court order requiring an offender to perform a certain number of work hours at a private nonprofit or a government agency is commonly known as a community service order. This type of order allows the offender to give back to the community while simultaneously serving their sentence.

Question 6

Fines are more frequently used in cases involving:

Accepted Answer

Fines are often used for lesser offenses or misdemeanors as they provide a way for the offender to make restitution without the need for more serious punishments like imprisonment or probation.

Question 7

Which of the following is not a characteristic of house arrest?

Accepted Answer

Not all offenders on house arrest are being monitored electronically. Some may be required to check in with their probation officer or wear an ankle bracelet, but electronic monitoring is not a universal characteristic of house arrest.

Question 8

Intermediate sanctions are beneficial in that they:

Accepted Answer

Intermediate sanctions can serve as a cost-saving alternative to imprisonment, meet the needs of certain offenders who may not require incarceration, and help reduce prison overcrowding by providing an alternative to traditional prison sentences. Therefore, all of the given options are correct.

Question 9

Most citizens are concerned about the high rate of probationers'__________.

Accepted Answer

Recidivism refers to the tendency of a criminal to reoffend. Given that the question is about probationers, it can be inferred that the concern is about those who have been given a second chance and are still at risk of committing additional crimes. Therefore, B is the most appropriate choice.

Question 10

Civil forfeitures are:

Accepted Answer

Civil forfeitures refer to the seizure and forfeiture of property that is believed to have been involved in criminal activity, rather than being tied to a specific individual's guilt or innocence. In legal terms, this type of forfeiture is known as "in rem," meaning that the case is brought against the property itself, rather than a person. Therefore, the best choice for this question is option D - in rem.

Question 11

Wide public support for "just desert" sentencing caused interest in community sanctions geared toward:

Accepted Answer

"Just desert" sentencing is based on the idea that the punishment should fit the seriousness of the crime committed. Therefore, community sanctions should be geared toward the seriousness of the crime rather than repeat offenders, violent offenders, or sex offenders specifically.

Question 12

Civil forfeiture is an act solely against:

Accepted Answer

Civil forfeiture is the act of seizing assets that are believed to have been involved in or purchased with the proceeds of a crime. It is directed solely at the property and not the offender. Therefore, the correct choice is A, the property used illegally. The other options are not the targets of civil forfeiture.

Question 13

Criminal forfeiture can occur only after:

Accepted Answer

Criminal forfeiture is the seizure of assets by the government as a penalty for criminal activity. It can only occur after a conviction has been obtained, as the assets seized are considered to be "tainted" by the criminal activity. Taxes being paid, an arrest being made, or charges being filed are not sufficient grounds for criminal forfeiture.

Question 14

Since 2001, criminal forfeiture has been used to:

Accepted Answer

Criminal forfeiture has been used for all of these purposes, including increasing government budgets, discouraging drug trafficking, and disrupting terrorist activity. The proceeds from forfeitures can be used to fund law enforcement efforts and provide restitution to victims, making it a valuable tool in combating criminal activity.

Question 15

The Bureau of Prisons uses the house arrest sanction for inmates:

Accepted Answer

The Bureau of Prisons uses the house arrest sanction for inmates before release as a way to transition them back into society and monitor their behavior. It is not used before confinement, for inmates who exhibit good behavior, or for requesting conjugal privileges.

Question 16

How much money is collected each year in the United States from fines paid by criminal offenders?

Accepted Answer

According to the latest available data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2018, fines collected from criminal offenders in the United States amounted to over $7.2 billion.

Question 17

Which of the following is the most intrusive sanction according to the continuum of intermediate sanctions?

Accepted Answer

Boot camps are considered the most intrusive sanction on the continuum of intermediate sanctions. They involve intensive physical conditioning, discipline, and militaristic training. Boot camps are usually reserved for young, nonviolent offenders who are considered to be at low risk of reoffending. They require a significant loss of personal freedom and can be psychologically and physically demanding.

Question 18

Restitution allows:

Accepted Answer

Restitution allows offenders to make amends for their crimes by paying back the victims for any harm or damages caused. This allows victims to regain property and income and the community to benefit without paying for incarceration. Furthermore, restitution can be used as an alternative to prison, as it allows offenders to take responsibility for their actions without incurring the costs and negative consequences of imprisonment. Therefore, D (all of these choices) is the best answer.

Question 19

The lowest end of the continuum of intermediate sanctions is/are:

Accepted Answer

Fines are the lowest end of the continuum of intermediate sanctions as they involve paying money as a punishment for the offense committed. Probation, house arrest, and day reporting centers are more intensive sanctions compared to fines.

Question 20

The sanction requiring a portion of the defendant's income to be paid is the:

Accepted Answer

The sanction requiring a portion of the defendant's income to be paid is the day fine, also known as a fine based on daily income or a means-tested fine. This type of fine is calculated based on the offender's income and is intended to be a proportionate punishment. The amount paid is set based on the severity of the offense and the defendant's ability to pay, giving the fine a more equitable and fair approach to punishment.

Quiz 4: Intermediate Sanctions