Chapter 9 Quiz

Nomination by the president

The process of appointing a Supreme Court justice begins by

Courts of general jurisdiction

Which courts have jurisdiction over felony offenses, which are serious crimes that may result in a sentence of a year or more in prison?

The United States district courts

Which courts are the trial courts of the federal system?

United States circuit courts

The United States courts of appeals are also known as:

The president of the United States

Who are the Supreme Court justices appointed by?

Discretion

Judges make trial decisions that are based upon the facts of the case. The decisions may not be consistent between judges or similar cases due to the judges’ ability to use:

Bailiff

Which courtroom person is responsible for the safety of the judge and security in the courtroom?

Hearing and deciding cases

Judges are primarily responsible for

The prosecutor

Which person is responsible for representing the state in the trial process?

Discretion

A prosecutor can decide which cases to bring to court. What is this an example of?

(d) Be a practicing member of the bar association.

To become a lawyer, what must a person do?

a. Be a member of a political party.

b. Be at least 25 years of age.

c. Have a degree in criminal justice.

d. Be a practicing member of the bar association.

(b) They have to protect the rights of the accused and make sure the trial process is fair.

Why are strong ethical standards needed by prosecutors?

a. They must represent the majority of the community.

b. They have to protect the rights of the accused and make sure the trial process is fair.

c. They need to be reelected.

d. They need to decide what evidence to present.

(a) Court of last resort

(b) Courts of limited jurisdiction (lower courts)

(e) Intermediate appellate courts (appeals courts)

While states are free to create as many courts as they want, in most states, there are different levels of criminal courts that are found. Which of the following are they? Select all that apply.

a. Court of last resort

b. Courts of limited jurisdiction (lower courts)

c. Drug courts

d. Domestic violence courts

e. Intermediate appellate courts (appeals courts)

f. Public opinion courts

(b) U.S. courts of appeals

(d) U.S. district court

(e) U.S. Supreme Court

Which of the following make up the tiered hierarchy of the federal court system? Select all that apply.

a. State supreme court

b. U.S. courts of appeals

c. U.S. court of last resort

d. U.S. district court

e. U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. District Court

Which federal courts are the trial courts of the federal system, having jurisdiction over cases involving violations of federal laws, including civil rights abuses, interstate transportation of stolen vehicles, and kidnappings?

U.S. court of appeals

Which court is empowered to review federal and state appellate court cases on substantive and procedural issues involving rights guaranteed by the Constitution?

(a) The Court has discretion over the cases that it considers.

(c) Members are appointed for life.

(d) It is composed of nine members.

(e) It is the highest court in the United States.

(f) Decisions made by the Court must be honored by all lower courts, including state courts.

Which of the following is true and unique regarding the United States Supreme Court? Select all that apply.

a. The Court has discretion over the cases that it considers.

b. It must hear any cases that are presented from inmates in prison.

c. Members are appointed for life.

d. It is composed of nine members.

e. It is the highest court in the United States.

f. Decisions made by the Court must be honored by all lower courts, including state courts.

Writ of certiorari

In its early days, the United States Supreme Court sought to hear every case that came before it. This proved to be unmanageable, and beginning in the middle of the twentieth century, the Court has used which legal device to decide which cases it should hear?

(a) Efforts to reform criminal law

(b) Rapidly increasing populations

(c) Civil litigation

(d) Laws becoming more complex

What are some of the reasons for the court systems becoming more congested? Select all that apply.

a. Efforts to reform criminal law

b. Rapidly increasing populations

c. Civil litigation

d. Laws becoming more complex

e. “Digital” courts

Judge

Who is the senior officer in a court of law, authorized to hear and decide cases?

(a) Settling questions on evidence and procedure

(b) Determining the sentence

(c) Ruling on the appropriateness of conduct

(d) Guides the questioning of witnesses

(f) Instructing the jury

What are among a judge’s extensive and important roles? Select all that apply.

a. Settling questions on evidence and procedure

b. Determining the sentence

c. Ruling on the appropriateness of conduct

d. Guides the questioning of witnesses

e. Changing the law if it seems arbitrary

f. Instructing the jury

Court clerks

Which people in the courts are mainly responsible for maintaining court records; receiving, processing, and maintaining judgments; and issuing process, such as summonses, subpoenas, and wage garnishments?

Court reporter

What is the title of the member of the court who records judicial proceedings word for word and creates the official transcripts of legal proceedings such as trials and depositions, including all the other important details such as emotional reactions?

(b) Community Service and/or pretrial diversion programs

(c) Forfeiture

(d) Restitution

(e) Fines

In addition to imprisonment and probation, a judge has what sentencing options? Select all that apply.

a. Dismiss charges

b. Community Service and/or pretrial diversion programs

c. Forfeiture

d. Restitution

e. Fines

(a) They are elected in a partisan election.

(c) They are appointed by the governor.

(d) They are federally appointed.

(e) They are elected in a nonpartisan election.

What are some of the ways judges get their seats? Select all that apply.

a. They are elected in a partisan election.

b. They are promoted from the position of public prosecutors to being judges in local jurisdictions.

c. They are appointed by the governor.

d. They are federally appointed.

e. They are elected in a nonpartisan election.

The prosecutor

Which member of the court is an appointed or elected member of the practicing bar who is responsible for bringing that state’s case against the accused?

(c) Reject or dismiss the criminal case based on witness problems.

James Smith is arrested for armed robbery. When the prosecutor reviews the case against Smith, she realizes that the witness who placed Smith at the scene was intoxicated at the time. What do you think the prosecutor will decide to do?

a. Change the charges based on the interests of justice.

b. Proceed with charges, as this is a clear “easy win.”

c. Reject or dismiss the criminal case based on witness problems.

d. Reject or dismiss the criminal case with a pretrial diversion.

Defense attorney

What is the name for the legal counsel for the defendant in a criminal case, representing the accused person from arrest to final appeal?

The Sixth Amendment

Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides for the accused to be informed of and have the right to counsel, and the right, if indigent, to have an attorney appointed by the state?