Chapter 4 & 5 Quiz

What shaped the state courts in America?

The geography of early America.

What resulted from the difficulty of traveling to rural areas in terms of justice?

A lasting impact on the state court system.

How does state organization compare to federal judiciary?

State organization does not always parallel the relatively simple structure of federal judiciary.

Who had most of the power during the colonial period?

Governors appointed by the king of England.

When did public prosecutors begin to appear?

During the 17th and 18th centuries.

What were the workhorses of the colonial court system?

Justice of the peace courts.

What characterized judges' discretion during the colonial period?

Broad discretion and relatively few rights for defendants.

What did state legislatures do after the American Revolution?

They kept a close watch on the courts.

What controversial power did state legislatures have over judges?

They could remove judges from their posts.

What problem did county courts face post-revolution?

Corruption.

What led to a surge in caseloads after the Civil War?

Rapid industrialization and growth.

How did rapid changes in state judiciaries present challenges?

Jurisdictional boundaries were often unclear.

What did state courts grow in from the mid-1900s onward?

Numbers and specializations.

What led to calls for the consolidation of state courts?

Confusion from overlapping jurisdictional boundaries.

What is the purpose of court unification?

To simplify state court structures and centralize control.

Name the five principal elements of court unification.

1. Consolidating trial courts, 2. Centralized management, 3. Granting rule-making authority to state supreme court, 4. State funding responsibility, 5. Unitary budgeting.

Why is it difficult to count the number of courts?

Lack of uniformity in names and definitions.

What type of jurisdiction do limited jurisdiction courts have?

Minor offenses and very small civil cases.

What happens if a decision from limited jurisdiction courts is appealed?

It goes before the general jurisdiction courts as a new trial, a trial de novo.

What are Justice of the Peace Courts known for?

Handling Class C misdemeanors and issuing warrants.

What role do magistrate courts play?

Similar to JOP courts, no jury trials; chief magistrates assign cases.

What is the jurisdiction of municipal courts?

Usually limited to its own municipality.

What type of cases do general jurisdiction courts typically handle?

High-profile felony cases and civil cases involving significant dollar amounts.

What is the primary function of intermediate appellate courts?

To review judgments of trial courts and administrative agencies.

What can state supreme courts be petitioned with?

More cases than they can review during a term.

How do state supreme courts influence policy?

They have strong policy-making authority.

What is the total incoming trial caseload in state courts?

Approximately 80 to 100 million.

What percentage of serious offenses result in conviction?

Around 68 out of every 100.

What is a major function of the administrative office of the courts?

Budget preparation and data collection.

How is case flow management defined?

Court supervision of all cases filed.

What indicates a problem with case flow management?

More cases coming in than being resolved.

What is an adjournment?

A continuance of a scheduled event.

What organization was created in 1987 related to trial court performance?

The commission on Trial Court Performance Standards.

What are the five performance areas identified by the commission?

Access to justice, expedition and timeliness, equality, independence and accountability, public trust.

What challenges are state courts facing recently?

Funding cuts and reduced staffing levels.

What public perception issue do courts face?

Pressure for efficiency, accountability, and fairness.

What significant impact did the 2008 recession have on courts?

Budget cuts and reduced operating hours.

What legislative challenges are state courts encountering?

Contentious relationships with state legislatures and lawsuits challenging legislation.

How has marijuana legalization affected courts?

It may reduce workloads but create issues for previously convicted offenses.

What has been a key focus of President Trump's executive orders related to?

Immigration enforcement policies.

What is the consequence of political problems for state courts?

Increased challenges from public opinion and political pressures.

What is judicial federalism?

The adjudication of cases at the state level due to resource limitations in federal courts.

How do appellate courts differ in jurisdiction?

They have both appellate and original jurisdiction.

What approximately defines the number of judges in intermediate appellate courts?

Usually consists of about three judges.

What types of courts exist apart from general and limited jurisdiction courts?

Specialized limited jurisdiction courts like probate or family courts.

What is often true about judges in limited jurisdiction courts?

They may have no formal legal training.

What type of crimes are most common in lower courts?

Mostly minor offenses.