Exam 7: Origins and Organization of the Courts

'U.S.courts of appeals' are federal trial courts of general jurisdiction.

The __________ can hear on appeal any case involving federal law,suits between states,and cases involving interpretations of the U.S.Constitution.

Salaried attorneys paid by the government to represent indigents charged with crimes are called '__________'.

'Victimology' is the study of crime victimization,as well as the interactions between victims and the criminal justice system.

A(n)__________ is a person called to testify because of his or her special expertise in an area at issue in a legal proceeding.

The term __________ refers to a method for selecting judges that involves a combination of appointment and election.

'Victim impact statements' by victims to the judge before sentencing about how the crime has harmed them.

The term __________ refers to the U.S.Supreme Court's authority to review the constitutionality of acts of Congress.

The __________ involves the prosecutors,defense counsel,judges,and other courtroom personnel who represent distinct interests but share the goal of shepherding large numbers of cases through the adjudication process.

'Mental health courts' are courts that divert misdemeanor or non-violent felony offenders with mental illness to treatment programs and court supervision.

Why are alternatives to the U.S.court system needed? Do you think that justice can still be served?

__________ is a method of handling complaints outside the judicial process through a mediator appointed by the court.

'Community courts' are decentralized courts that respond to neighborhood conditions using citizen advisory committees,volunteers,and teen courts.

Elected or appointed officials who represent the community in bringing charges against an accused person are called __________.

The term 'community prosecution' refers to a program in which prosecutors intervene in all disorderly behavior that affects the quality of life in a neighborhood.

The name for city and county prosecutors in many jurisdictions is '__________'.

A __________ is a legal order from the U.S.Supreme Court stating that a lower court must forward the record of a particular case for review.

A person called to testify because of his or her special expertise in an area at issue in a legal proceeding is a(n)__________.

__________ provide a protection of clients by examining the evidence used to establish probable cause and questioning whether the evidence proves guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.This role sometimes brings them into conflict with police and prosecutors,and with victims and witnesses who may believe they are being "attacked" by them.

The highest court(s)in the United States,which hears final appeals in cases involving federal law,suits between states,and interpretations of the U.S.Constitution.