Question 1

Even though a number of states, the federal government, and the military still recognize the death penalty, executions are relatively _____ in the United States.

Accepted Answer

Executions are relatively rare in the United States, with only a few states actively carrying out the death penalty and a decreasing number of executions overall in recent years.

Question 2

During the process of death qualification, if a potential juror _____, he or she is excluded from serving on a capital jury.

Accepted Answer

During death qualification, potential jurors are asked about their views on the death penalty and their ability to consider it as a punishment. If a juror is unwilling to consider execution as a punishment, they will be excluded from serving on a capital jury. The other choices, such as being a victim of a violent crime, witnessing a violent death, or having close relatives who died of unnatural causes, may be considered as factors affecting a juror's ability to be impartial, but they are not necessarily disqualifying.

Question 3

Mitigating factors in capital cases are characteristics that make:

Accepted Answer

Mitigating factors are factors that argue for a lesser sentence or punishment, and in capital cases, they argue against the appropriateness of execution. Therefore, they make execution less suitable, which is option D.

Question 4

Different factors come into play during the sentencing phase of a homicide case such as whether the sentence should be death or life in prison with no hope of parole. Circumstances that support the death sentence are called:

Accepted Answer

Aggravating factors are circumstances that make the crime more heinous or the offender more deserving of a harsh punishment, such as committing the murder for financial gain or premeditation. These factors may be considered in determining whether the death sentence is appropriate. Mitigating factors, on the other hand, are circumstances that reduce the offender's culpability, such as mental illness or acting under duress, and may lead to a lesser sentence. Proof of mental disease may be considered an aggravating or mitigating factor depending on the circumstances, while the degree of conviction refers to the severity of the offense and does not directly affect the sentencing phase.

Question 5

In the reforms set forth in Gregg v. Georgia, defendants on trial for capital murder ought to be tried by juries in:

Accepted Answer

In Gregg v. Georgia, the Supreme Court ruled that capital murder trials should be conducted in two phases. The first phase is to determine the defendant's guilt or innocence, while the second phase is to determine whether the defendant is deserving of the death penalty. This two-phase approach helps to prevent arbitrary or capricious use of the death penalty and provides a more structured and fair process for deciding whether a defendant should receive the ultimate punishment.

Question 6

The definition of aggravated murder _____ across jurisdictions.

Accepted Answer

Aggravated murder is defined differently in different jurisdictions. Some jurisdictions define aggravated murder as a premeditated and intentional killing, while others include other factors such as killing during the commission of another serious crime or the murder of a law enforcement officer. The specific elements that constitute aggravated murder can vary widely depending on the jurisdiction.

Question 7

In terms of frequency, it is noted in the text that fewer than _____ of murderers are executed.

Accepted Answer

The text states that "fewer than one percent of murderers are executed," indicating that A) 1% is the correct answer.

Question 8

In Atkins v. Virginia (2002), the end of execution of convicted criminals deemed _____ was established.

Accepted Answer

Atkins v. Virginia established that it is unconstitutional to execute individuals with intellectual disabilities (formerly referred to as mental retardation), as it violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

Question 9

In Gregg v. Georgia, and in companion cases, the Supreme Court set up a series of reforms. These reforms are referred to as:

Accepted Answer

The reforms established in Gregg v. Georgia and companion cases are referred to as guided discretion statutes. These statutes aimed to reduce the arbitrariness and bias in capital sentencing by providing a set of guidelines or factors that judges and juries should consider in determining whether to impose the death penalty. The goal was to balance the need for individualized justice with the need for fairness and consistency in the application of the death penalty.

Question 10

In the parts of the world that still recognize the death penalty, the methods of execution often include hanging and shooting, as well as:

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the parts of the world that...

Question 11

A defendant is deemed "guilty" or "not guilty" during _____ of a capital murder trial.

Accepted Answer

In a capital murder trial, the determination of "guilty" or "not guilty" is made during phase one, which is the guilt phase of the trial.

Question 12

The death-qualification process inquires about a jury member's willingness to consider execution in a trial. According to the text, the actual death-qualification process is often:

Accepted Answer

The text states that the death-qualification process can bias the jury by selecting individuals who are more likely to consider the death penalty as a punishment, thereby excluding potential jurors who may have moral or religious objections to it. Therefore, the death-qualification process can be seen as biasing.

Question 13

In Roper v. Simmons (2005), the Court ruled against juveniles being executed because they are inherently:

Accepted Answer

In Roper v. Simmons, the Court ruled that juveniles could not be executed because they are less culpable than adults. The Court recognized that juveniles are less mature, more vulnerable to external pressures, and less able to control their impulses, making them less responsible for their actions than adult offenders. Therefore, option D, which states that juveniles are less culpable than adults, is the correct choice.

Question 14

In Kennedy v. Louisiana (2008), the Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty should not be applied to rapists, even to child rapists, unless:

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court ruled that the death penalty cannot be applied to rapists, even to child rapists, unless the victim is killed.

Question 15

Following Gregg v. Georgia and its companion cases, all death sentences are:

Accepted Answer

Following Gregg v. Georgia and its companion cases, all death sentences must be reviewed by state supreme courts to ensure they were not imposed arbitrarily or capriciously. Therefore, choice D is the correct answer.

Question 16

Constitutional challenges regarding the death penalty have taken place in many states. In Furman v. Georgia, the Supreme Court ruled that capital punishment was unconstitutional. Although the decision handed down did not _____ the death penalty, it _____ how it was carried it out.

Accepted Answer

The ruling in Furman v. Georgia did not completely abolish the death penalty, but it did modify how it was carried out by stating that the existing methods at the time (such as arbitrary and discriminatory application) were unconstitutional. Therefore, option A is the correct choice.

Question 17

Excluding federal crimes, the only crime punishable by death is:

Accepted Answer

Aggravated murder is the only crime punishable by death in some states, such as Texas and Oklahoma. The definition of aggravated murder varies by state, but it typically involves intentional and premeditated killing or killing during the commission of another violent crime. Incest, manslaughter, and aggravated rape do not carry the death penalty as the maximum punishment.

Question 18

When it comes to the financial cost of the death penalty, the following is NOT true:

Accepted Answer

Capital cases are expensive regardless of the final sentence, and costs are incurred throughout the process, not just based on the final sentencing outcome.

Question 19

More than 3,000 individuals are now on death row in the United States. It is most likely that the majority of them will:

Accepted Answer

The majority of individuals on death row are likely to die of natural causes due to the lengthy appeals process and the decreasing use of capital punishment in many states. Less than 2% of those on death row are actually executed each year.

Question 20

The majority of democracies in the Western hemisphere do not recognize the death penalty. The United States, however, still does. In fact, _____ states have the death penalty.

Accepted Answer

As of recent data, 32 states in the United States have the death penalty, although the number of states actively using it may be lower due to moratoriums or legal challenges.

Quiz 17: Section 2: The Death Penalty