Exam 7: Courts and the Quest for Justice

Judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys typically do not cooperate with one another.

__________have the power to bring the resources of the state against the individual, and they hold the legal keys to meting out or withholding punishment.

The United States has ________different judicial systems.

Explain the roles and responsibilities of judges before the trial.

A public civil officer or official with limited judicial authority within a particular geographic area, such as the authority to issue an arrest warrant, is:

List seven responsibilities of defense attorneys.

Generally speaking, there are two different types of defense attorneys: (1) private attorneys, who are hired by individuals, and (2) public defenders, who work for the government.

Most judges, in fact, work at the appellate level of the system.

Explain the federal court system

___________ court judges-including the justices of the Supreme Court-are appointed by the president of the United States, and are subject to the approval of the Senate.

IIn the federal court system, there are______ U.S. courts of appeals, also referred to as U.S. circuit courts of appeals.

Case 7-2 Barney was sentenced to a term of life in prison after he was found guilty of an armed home invasion robbery. There are many issues that occurred during his trial that he wants to appeal. First, he was a juvenile when arrested and charged for the home invasion robbery. The juvenile judge dismissed the charges against Barney because the victim stated that Barney was not the offender. The prosecutors decided to file Barney's case in the adult criminal court system. This clearly is a violation of the protection against double jeopardy. Also, Barney was not given an attorney until he was charged as an adult. -Barney's case was first adjudicated in the specialty court known as a juvenile court. Which of the following is also considered to be a specialty court?

________ courts deal only with illegal substance crimes.

___________are separate opinions in which the judges disagree with the conclusion reached by the majority of the court and expand on their own views about the case.

List and describe the members of the courtroom workgroup.

Appellate courts:

For Barney's case to actually be heard by the entire U.S. Supreme Court, how many justices must approve of the decision to hear his case?

After Barney's conviction in the state's trial court of general jurisdiction, where would Barney most likely file his first appeal?

Explain what happens with regard to jurisdiction if a person has committed a state and federal crime.

As most cases are decided through plea bargains rather than through trial proceedings, the judge often offers his or her services as a negotiator to help the prosecution and the defense "make a deal."