Criminal Justice Basics Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of the US Supreme Court when it makes a decision?

To set a precedent for future cases (correct)

To revise state laws

To provide legal advice to lower courts

To enforce existing laws

How long after an arrest must a defendant see a judge in Louisiana?

48 hours

72 hours (correct)

24 hours

96 hours

What are the three types of pleas a defendant can enter during arraignment?

Guilty, Not Guilty, Nolo Contendere (correct)

Guilty, Nolo Contendere, Dismissed

Guilty, Innocent, No Contest

Guilty, Not Guilty, Not Proven

What does waiving the right to a jury trial result in?

A bench trial Signup and view all the answers

What is one main disadvantage of going paperless in a legal context?

Risk of cyber attacks Signup and view all the answers

How many justices serve on the US Supreme Court?

9 Signup and view all the answers

How long is a defendant required to wait for a trial after arrest according to the Speedy Trial Act?

100 days Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for dismissing a juror without explanation?

Peremptory Challenge Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of rehabilitation in the context of punishment?

To reform a convict to prevent future offenses Signup and view all the answers

Which model of corrections focuses on isolation and hard labor as forms of punishment?

Penitentiary model Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant change introduced by the Sentencing Reform Act?

It ensured uniform sentencing regardless of the judge's discretion Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes general deterrence?

Punishing offenders to serve as an example to others Signup and view all the answers

During which correctional model was the focus primarily on treating underlying issues of criminals?

Medical model Signup and view all the answers

What are the two stipulations that allow an officer to search a vehicle without a warrant?

Exigent circumstances must be present. Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment protects individuals from self-incrimination?

5th Amendment Signup and view all the answers

Under what condition must police end electronic surveillance before the warrant time limit expires?

If they overhear the information they were searching for. Signup and view all the answers

Which court case established that a defendant's assets cannot be frozen to the point of not being able to afford an attorney?

Luis v. United States Signup and view all the answers

What is the legal standard for conducting a Terry stop, also known as a stop and frisk?

Reasonable suspicion Signup and view all the answers

What does the Bill of Rights aim to accomplish?

Protect against excessive governmental power. Signup and view all the answers

What role do US District Courts play in the federal judiciary?

They serve as trial courts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of a state appellate court?

They serve as intermediaries between district and state supreme courts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a Grand Jury?

To hear evidence to determine if there is enough probable cause to make a case Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are considered excuse defenses?

Entrapment, intoxication, mental illness Signup and view all the answers

At what age can a prosecutor challenge the presumption of incapacity to form mens rea?

7-14 years old Signup and view all the answers

What is the process called for jury selection?

Voir dire Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the US court system is true?

Most cases stop at the state appeals courts. Signup and view all the answers

What does discovery refer to in the legal context?

An exchange of information between defense and prosecution Signup and view all the answers

What is judicial misconduct?

Inappropriate behavior by a judge Signup and view all the answers

Who is known as the 'gatekeeper' of the criminal justice system?

Prosecutor Signup and view all the answers

What do judges report as the hardest part of their job?

Sentencing offenders Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 8th Amendment?

It guards against cruel and unusual punishment Signup and view all the answers

What are the four purposes of punishment?

Retribution, Deterrence, Incapacitation, Rehabilitation Signup and view all the answers

Under which circumstances can a youth receive the death penalty according to Roper v. Simmons?

A person under 18 at the time of their crime cannot receive it Signup and view all the answers

What defines a determinate sentence?

A fixed period that must be served, like 15 years Signup and view all the answers

How many people on death row were exonerated between 1973 and 2022?

187 Signup and view all the answers

What is a victim impact statement?

A statement on how the crime affects the victim's life Signup and view all the answers

What major action did Furman v. Georgia take regarding the death penalty?

It struck down the death penalty for the first time Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the reformatory correctional model?

Reform and rehabilitation Signup and view all the answers

Which correctional model is currently used in the United States?

Crime Control Model Signup and view all the answers

What does the Thirteenth Amendment protect against?

Involuntary servitude Signup and view all the answers

What was established by the ruling in Gregg v. Georgia (1976)?

Statutory aggravating circumstances must be proven Signup and view all the answers

How much does it cost to house one inmate for one year in prison?

$35,000 Signup and view all the answers

How many Americans are currently on parole?

880,000 Signup and view all the answers

Which type of prison typically holds inmates classified at the lowest security risk?

Minimum Security Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum number of good time credits a federal inmate can earn annually after the first year?

54 days Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Purpose of US Supreme Court Decisions

The US Supreme Court's decisions establish legal precedents that impact the entire nation.

Timeframe for Defendant to See a Judge in Louisiana

In Louisiana, a defendant must see a judge within 48 hours of arrest.

Types of Pleas in Arraignment

Defendants can enter a guilty plea, a not guilty plea, or a no contest plea.

Waiving a Jury Trial

Waiving the right to a jury trial results in the judge acting as both the fact-finder and the law-applier.

Disadvantage of Going Paperless in Legal Context

A major disadvantage of going paperless in a legal context is the risk of data loss or corruption.

Number of Justices on the US Supreme Court

There are 9 justices on the US Supreme Court.

Time Limit for Trial Under the Speedy Trial Act

According to the Speedy Trial Act, a defendant must wait no longer than 70 days for trial after arrest.

Term for Dismissing a Juror Without Explanation

Dismissing a juror without explanation is known as "striking" the juror.

Purpose of Rehabilitation in Punishment

Rehabilitation aims to reform criminals and reduce recidivism rates.

Corrections Model Focused on Isolation and Hard Labor

The Pennsylvania System of corrections focused on isolation and hard labor as forms of punishment.

Significant Change Introduced by the Sentencing Reform Act

The Sentencing Reform Act introduced guidelines for sentencing that aimed to reduce disparities.

Definition of General Deterrence

General deterrence seeks to discourage potential offenders by demonstrating the consequences of criminal behavior.

Correctional Model Focused on Treating Underlying Issues

The Medical Model focused primarily on treating the underlying issues of criminals.

Conditions for Warrantless Vehicle Searches

Police can search a vehicle without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe it contains contraband or evidence of a crime, or if the arrestee is within reach of the vehicle.

Amendment Protecting Against Self-Incrimination

The Fifth Amendment protects individuals from self-incrimination.

Condition for Ending Electronic Surveillance Early

If the warrant expires before the surveillance concludes, police must end the surveillance unless they obtain a new warrant.

Case Establishing Protection for Attorney Fees

The case of Bell v. Wolfish established that a defendant's assets cannot be frozen to the point of not being able to afford an attorney.

Legal Standard for a Terry Stop

The legal standard for a Terry stop is "reasonable suspicion" that the individual is involved in criminal activity.

Goal of the Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights aims to guarantee individual rights and freedoms.

Role of US District Courts in the Federal Judiciary

US District Courts are the trial courts in the federal judiciary.

Importance of State Appellate Courts

State appellate courts review decisions made by lower courts to ensure fairness and consistency.

Purpose of a Grand Jury

A Grand Jury determines whether there is enough evidence to indict a suspect for a crime.

Excuse Defenses

Examples of excuse defenses include duress, insanity, and intoxication.

Age for Challenging Presumption of Incapacity

A prosecutor can challenge the presumption of incapacity to form mens rea at age 14.

Process of Jury Selection

The process of jury selection is called voir dire.

Truth About the US Court System

The US court system operates under the adversarial system, where opposing sides present evidence and arguments.

Definition of Discovery in Legal Context

Discovery refers to the pre-trial exchange of evidence and information between the parties.

Definition of Judicial Misconduct

Judicial misconduct refers to improper actions by a judge that violate ethical standards.

'Gatekeeper' of the Criminal Justice System

The prosecutor is often referred to as the "gatekeeper" of the criminal justice system.

Hardest Part of a Judge's Job

Judges report that the hardest part of their job is sentencing.

Significance of the 8th Amendment

The 8th Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

Purposes of Punishment

The four purposes of punishment are retribution, deterrence, incapacitation, and rehabilitation.

Circumstances for Youth Receiving Death Penalty

According to Roper v. Simmons, youth cannot receive the death penalty if they were under 18 at the time of the crime.

Definition of Determinate Sentence

A determinate sentence is fixed and cannot be reduced by good behavior.

Number of Exonerations on Death Row

Between 1973 and 2022, over 190 people on death row were exonerated.

Definition of a Victim Impact Statement

A victim impact statement describes the impact of the crime on the victim and their family.

Action Taken in Furman v.Georgia Regarding Death Penalty

The Furman v. Georgia case ruled that the death penalty, as then applied, was unconstitutional due to racial disparities and arbitrary sentencing.

Focus of the Reformatory Correctional Model

The reformatory correctional model focused on rehabilitation.

Current Correctional Model in the United States

The United States currently uses a blended correctional model that combines elements of different models, including rehabilitation, punishment, and deterrence.

Protection Offered by the Thirteenth Amendment

The Thirteenth Amendment abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude.

Establishment of Gregg v.Georgia (1976)

Gregg v. Georgia (1976) upheld the constitutionality of the death penalty when applied in a fair and unbiased manner.

Cost to House One Inmate for One Year

The average cost to house one inmate for one year in prison is approximately $35,000.

Number of Americans on Parole

There are currently over 4 million Americans on parole.

Typical Inmates in Minimum Security Prisons

Minimum security prisons typically hold inmates classified as low security risks.

Maximum Good Time Credits for Federal Inmates

After the first year, a federal inmate can earn a maximum of 54 days of good time credits annually.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts of criminal justice including the role of the US Supreme Court, types of pleas, and correctional models. This quiz also covers important legal procedures and milestones in the context of criminal law.