Question 1

Which statement best summarizes the research on drug courts?

Accepted Answer

Research on drug courts indicates that they are effective in addressing both the addiction issues and the criminal behaviors of the participants. These courts integrate treatment and rehabilitation services with judicial oversight, aiming to reduce both drug dependency and recidivism rates among offenders.

Question 2

Which standard for determining insanity combines the McNaughten rule with the irresistible impulse standard?

Accepted Answer

The American Law Institute (ALI) rule for determining insanity combines elements of both the McNaughten rule and the irresistible impulse standard. It states that a defendant is not responsible for criminal conduct if, at the time of the offense, as a result of a mental disease or defect, they lacked the substantial capacity to either appreciate the wrongfulness of their conduct or to conform their conduct to the requirements of the law.

Question 3

Substantial revisions in the federal insanity defense law were made after the assassination attempt on

Accepted Answer

The substantial revisions in the federal insanity defense law were made after the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan in 1981. The attempt was made by John Hinckley Jr., who pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The verdict led to public outrage and prompted Congress to revise the federal insanity defense law.

Question 4

Which case first established juveniles' rights in court?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which case first established juveniles' rights in...

Question 5

Which statement is most accurate about prosecutor misconduct?

Accepted Answer

Prosecutors have a form of legal immunity that protects them from civil lawsuits for actions taken as part of their official role in prosecuting cases. This immunity is meant to allow them to perform their duties without fear of personal liability, although it does not protect against all forms of misconduct.

Question 6

Which individual would most likely to seen in teen court?

Accepted Answer

Teen courts typically handle cases involving first-time, non-violent offenses committed by minors. While arson and sexual assault are serious offenses, they would likely be handled by the juvenile court system rather than a teen court. Additionally, at 19 years old, the individual charged with burglary would be considered an adult and would not be eligible for teen court.

Question 7

Which of the following is a central component of duress?

Accepted Answer

Duress is a defense used in criminal law where the defendant claims to have been forced to commit a crime under threat of serious harm or death. The central component of duress is fear, specifically fear of harm or death to oneself or another person. While bodily harm and intent may be present in cases of duress, they are not the central component. Mental disorder is not typically a factor in duress cases.

Question 8

Who was the first person found not guilty by reason of insanity?

Accepted Answer

Daniel McNaughten was the first person to be found not guilty by reason of insanity in 1843 in England.

Question 9

Why is the Durham rule so difficult to use?

Accepted Answer

The Durham rule is difficult to use because it does not provide a clear definition of what constitutes a mental disease or defect. This lack of definition leaves room for interpretation and makes it challenging for courts to apply the rule consistently across different cases.

Question 10

In the entrapment defense, the question for the jury becomes,

Accepted Answer

The entrapment defense focuses on whether law enforcement officials induced a person to commit a crime they otherwise would not have committed. Therefore, the role of the police in the offense is central to determining if entrapment occurred.

Question 11

All of the following are stand your ground laws except:

Accepted Answer

"Recovery of basis" is a term related to tax and accounting, not self-defense laws. "Stand your ground" laws, "no duty to retreat," and "castle doctrine" are all terms related to the right to use force in self-defense without the duty to retreat in certain situations.

Question 12

When are defendants typically referred to drug court?

Accepted Answer

Defendants are typically referred to drug court immediately after arrest as part of a diversion program to help them address their substance abuse issues and avoid incarceration.

Question 13

Which insanity standard states that if defendants know that what they were doing was wrong, but they could not help themselves, or if they were unable to control their actions, then they may not be held accountable for their offense?

Accepted Answer

The irresistible impulse standard states that if defendants knew that what they were doing was wrong, but they could not help themselves, or if they were unable to control their actions, then they may not be held accountable for their offense.

Question 14

Which event prompted the passing of stand your ground laws?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which event prompted the passing of stand...

Question 15

Which individual automatically lacks the mens rea to commit a crime?

Accepted Answer

A five-year-old child automatically lacks the mens rea to commit a crime because they do not possess the cognitive ability to understand the consequences of their actions and therefore cannot form the necessary intent to commit a crime. The other choices may or may not lack mens rea depending on the specific circumstances and level of impairment.

Question 16

What was the underlying purpose of early children's courts?

Accepted Answer

The underlying purpose of early children's courts was to focus on rehabilitating juvenile offenders rather than punishing or seeking retribution against them.

Question 17

Which of the following groups would be most likely to support stand your ground laws?

Accepted Answer

The National Rifle Association is known to be a strong advocate for stand your ground laws as it aligns with their support for the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms for self-defense. The other organizations listed have taken varying stances on stand your ground laws, with many law enforcement groups expressing concerns about the potential for increased violence and difficulty in prosecution.

Question 18

Drug courts are based on the philosophy that drug addiction should be treated as a(n) __________ matter, not a(n) __________ matter

Accepted Answer

Drug courts view drug addiction as a medical issue that requires treatment rather than a criminal matter that requires punishment. The focus is on rehabilitation rather than punishment, although participants may still face consequences if they fail to comply with the program's requirements. Civil and public do not accurately describe the nature of drug addiction, while criminal and private do not reflect the philosophy behind drug courts.

Question 19

Until the 1800s, offenders who were between the ages of 7 and 14 could be criminally liable if the prosecutor could prove that the juvenile was mentally and morally

Accepted Answer

Until the 1800s, the age of criminal responsibility was not fixed in law. At common law, children under the age of seven years were viewed as being unable to commit a criminal offense, while those aged between seven and fourteen were presumed unable to do so on account of their age.
However, they could be found to be criminally liable if the prosecutor could prove that the juvenile was mature enough to understand the nature and consequences of their actions. This was known as the doctrine of doli incapax, which presumed that children aged between seven and fourteen were incapable of understanding that their actions were wrong, and so could not form the requisite mens rea.

Question 20

Compared to the typical court process, the drug court process is described as

Accepted Answer

The drug court process is characterized as nonadversarial, meaning the focus is not on pitting the defendant against the prosecution, but rather on working collaboratively to address the defendant's substance abuse issues. The process is designed to be more therapeutic and collaborative than traditional court processes.

Quiz 11: Issues in the Courts