Criminal Law: Petty Offenses and Jury Trials

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of punitive damages?

To compensate for injuries

To increase the plaintiff's gross income

To reduce the defendant's net income

To punish and deter reprehensible conduct (correct)

In the Philip Morris case, what was the original amount of punitive damages awarded by the jury?

$32 million

$821,485.50

$79.5 million (correct)

$1 million

What is the name of the doctrine that allows jurors to disregard the law and evidence in criminal cases?

Jury Composition

Jury Rights

Jury Size

Jury Nullification (correct)

In the O'Gilvie v. United States case, what was the issue regarding punitive damages?

Whether punitive damages are taxable Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the case that involved a widow suing Philip Morris for punitive damages?

Williams v. Philip Morris Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for conduct that is considered reprehensible?

Reprehensible conduct Signup and view all the answers

In which type of cases is jury nullification applicable?

Criminal cases Signup and view all the answers

What was the ratio of the punitive damages to the compensatory damages in the Philip Morris case?

96:1 Signup and view all the answers

In cases where the maximum period of incarceration is six months or less, what is the presumption regarding the right to a jury trial?

The defendant is not entitled to a jury trial Signup and view all the answers

What is the category of offenses that includes DUI, and is considered serious?

Felonies Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Blanton v. City of North Las Vegas case in 1989?

It allowed defendants to overcome the presumption of petty offenses Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 6th amendment to the US Constitution in relation to jury trials?

It limits the right to a jury trial to only federal cases Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum number of people required to compose a jury in a criminal trial?

12 Signup and view all the answers

What is the category of offenses that includes minor crimes, such as traffic violations?

Petty offenses Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Barron v. Baltimore case?

It limited the right to a jury trial to only federal cases Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between petty offenses and felonies?

Felonies are more severe than petty offenses Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of a hung jury in a trial?

A mistrial is declared and a new trial may be held. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of compensatory damages in a civil case?

To make the claimant 'whole' for their loss. Signup and view all the answers

In what type of cases are punitive damages typically awarded?

Civil cases involving torts Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of punitive damages?

To punish the defendant and deter similar conduct. Signup and view all the answers

In what type of cases are unanimous jury verdicts typically required?

Criminal cases Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between compensatory and punitive damages?

Compensatory damages are designed to make the claimant whole, while punitive damages are designed to punish the defendant. Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of a jury failing to reach a unanimous verdict in a criminal case?

A mistrial is declared and a new trial may be held. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of exemplary damages?

To punish the defendant and deter similar conduct. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Offenses and Jury Trials

Petty offenses have a maximum period of incarceration of six months or less and do not have a right to a jury trial, but the defendant can overcome this presumption by showing that additional penalties are severe.
Blanton v. City of North Las Vegas (1989) established that petty offenses can be considered serious if additional penalties are severe.

Categories of Penal Offenses

Petty offenses (small offenses, infractions)
Misdemeanors (summary offenses)
Felonies (very serious offenses)

Right to a Jury Trial

In the US, the right to a jury trial exists at the federal level, but not necessarily at the state level (Barron v. Baltimore).
The 6th Amendment to the US Constitution only applies to the federal level.

Size of the Jury

Ballew v. Georgia established that the size of the jury matters.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded to punish the defendant and discourage similar conduct in the future.
Examples of punitive damages:
Philip Morris (2007): $79.5 million in punitive damages
O.J. Simpson: $25 million in punitive damages
Alex Jones ("Infowars"): $965 million in punitive damages

Jury Nullification

Jury nullification allows the jury to disregard the law and evidence and acquit defendants if they think the law is wrong or unwise.
Jury nullification exists in the UK and US.

Hung Jury

A hung jury occurs when the jury cannot reach a verdict by the required voting margin, resulting in a possible mistrial.
Examples of hung juries:
Bill Cosby trial
Curtis Flowers trial

Damage Awards

Compensatory damages are designed to make the claimant "whole" for a loss incurred from the defendant's conduct.
Punitive damages are awarded to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future.

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Description

This quiz covers the distinction between petty and serious offenses in criminal law, including the maximum period of incarceration and the right to a jury trial. It also explores the Blanton v. City of Norwalk case and its implications for defendants.