Deck 4: Ethical Essentials: Doing Right When No One Is Watching

Question 1

An officer shoots out the tires of a drunk driver's vehicle to ensure the driver does not flee from the scene. Which of the following does this exemplify?

A) absolute ethics
B) rationality justification
C) principle of double effect
D) utilitarianism

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Which of the following describes the receipt of some benefit either, for free or for a reduced price?

A) gratuities
B) bribery
C) payment
D) restitution

Answer 2

A

Question 3

An officer on patrol happens upon a contractor who is illegally dumping trash in another company's dumpster and accepts a monetary "tip" from the contractor. Which of the following terms describes the officer?

A) grass-eater
B) meat-eater
C) carnivore
D) omnivore

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Officers in a rural community fulfill their professional responsibilities with a belief system that places personal morality above the law and become legislators of the law. They are engaging in which of the following practices?

A) utilitarianism
B) noble cause corruption
C) principle of double effect
D) relative ethics

Question 5

Which of the following describes the idea that a small first step can lead to more serious behaviors?

A) slippery slope
B) code of silence
C) noble cause corruption
D) whistle blower

Question 6

An officer determinedly pursues illegal drug dealers in her area with the intent to get a cut of their profits rather than to end their illegal activities. The officer would be considered which of the following?

A) grass-eater
B) meat-eater
C) carnivore
D) omnivore

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of Kant's concept of "good will"?

A) An officer issues a warning to a speeding motorist because it takes too much time to fill out the paperwork for a ticket.
B) An officer issues a ticket to a speeding motorist because it is the policy of the department to issue a ticket rather than give warnings.
C) An officer issues a warning to a speeding motorist with the genuine belief the motorist will slow down and make the roadway safer for all.
D) An officer issues a ticket to a speeding motorist because the officer is under orders to write as many tickets as possible to help with the city's budget problem.

Question 8

How a person views controversial issues, such as the death penalty or abortion, largely depends on which of the following?

A) actions
B) values
C) emotions
D) feelings

Question 9

Deontology is the study of ______.

A) good will
B) character
C) ethics
D) duty

Question 10

Upon graduation from the police academy, newly sworn officers may recite the Law Enforcement ______.

A) Pledge to Brotherhood
B) Code of Silence
C) Oath of Honor
D) Miranda warnings

Question 11

Which type of ethics is complicated and can have a multitude of sides?

A) relative
B) absolute
C) deontological
D) utilitarian

Question 12

When an officer opts against reporting another officer's unethical or illegal conduct, he or she has perpetuated the ______.

A) blue flu
B) code of silence
C) blue line
D) code of honor

Question 13

A colleague of yours destroys evidence of drug paraphernalia at the scene of a crime. However, under oath, the same colleague produces similar drug paraphernalia and claims it was what he found at the scene of the crime. Which area of criminal justice does would one likely encounter this ethical scenario?

A) video
B) courts
C) police
D) corrections

Question 14

Which of the following would be an example of the utilitarian approach?

A) An officer accidentally shoots his partner during a shoot-out with bank robbers.
B) An officer accidentally shoots at a barking dog while trying to apprehend a suspect.
C) An officer shoots at a bank robber and hits an innocent bystander.
D) An officer fatally shoots a fleeing mass-murder suspect in the back.

Question 15

A plaintiff reports that an unknown assailant is stalking her. Since you are a federal agent, you investigate and find that the judge in the case is the one who is stalking her. When you confront the judge, the judge threatens to have you reassigned to another state. Which area of criminal justice does would one likely encounter this ethical scenario?

A) video
B) courts
C) police
D) corrections

Question 16

The creation of a(n) ______ unit is critical to maintaining the integrity of the officers and the department.

A) internal affairs
B) public relations
C) tactical
D) special operations

Question 17

Which of the following terms describes an officer who misuses his or her authority for personal gain?

A) abruption
B) isolation
C) absolution
D) corruption

Question 18

You are assisting with an incarcerated pregnant woman who has gone into labor. She has tried to escape previously, so your superior orders you and a new colleague to shackle her to prevent her escape. You are personally opposed to such measures, especially since she has lost a child previously. Which area of criminal justice does would one likely encounter this ethical scenario?

A) video
B) courts
C) police
D) corrections

Question 19

A community accepts a police officer lying under oath to ensure the conviction of a suspect that they almost universally agree is the murderer in a homicide case. Which type of ethics does this exemplify?

A) absolute ethics
B) relative ethics
C) procedural ethics
D) utilitarian ethics

Question 20

A police applicant is asked a question regarding what he would do if he witnessed another officer taking US$50 out of a drug dealer's wallet. What response would be acceptable to police administrators?

A) The applicant should prioritize loyalty to a fellow officer over tattling for a minor infraction.
B) The applicant should consider reprimanding the fellow officer directly, but not telling superiors.
C) The applicant should indicate that unethical behavior, such as stealing, should be reported.
D) The applicant should consider the source of the stolen money prior to telling superiors.

Question 21

Which of the following professions would fall under the category of other court employees who may have ethical responsibilities as well?

A) municipal police officers
B) court reporters
C) forensic medical professionals
D) court utilities staff

Question 22

Which of the following is considered the most important tenet in the Code of Judicial Conduct?

A) A judge should avoid the appearance of impropriety in all activities.
B) A judge should uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary.
C) A judge should refrain from political activity.
D) A judge should perform the duties of the office fairly and impartially.

Question 23

The U.S. Supreme Court case of Miller v. Pate (1967) addressed what ethical issue?

A) defense attorney misconduct
B) police misconduct
C) judicial misconduct
D) prosecutorial misconduct

Question 24

What has been the effect of implementation of the Code of Judicial Conduct?

A) The Code caused an increase in reported incidents of judicial misbehavior.
B) The Code has not been implemented in many states.
C) The Code does not appear to have assuaged concerns about judicial misbehavior.
D) The Code appears to have decreased the incidence of judicial misbehavior.

Question 25

Samantha is a judge who has decided to recuse herself from a case. This means that Samantha has ______.

A) a scheduling conflict with the trial dates and needs another judge assigned.
B) disqualified herself from the case, and another judge must be assigned.
C) officially noted on record his or her conflict of interest issue with the case.
D) an inability to continue with the trial, and another judge must be assigned.

Question 26

Which term describes an appellate court's ability to affirm a conviction even if courtroom misconduct existed during the trial?

A) slippery slope
B) noble cause corruption
C) accepted lying
D) harmless error doctrine

Question 27

What is considered the primary duty of a prosecutor?

A) Winning a case
B) Ensuring that justice is served
C) Defending the accused
D) Determining guilt

Question 28

A federal judge may be disqualified if he or she has ______.

A) no knowledge of disputed facts
B) too many cases he or she is already hearing
C) presided over too many other cases of a similar nature
D) a close relative who is a party or an attorney

Question 29

Which of the following would be a true-to-life ethical dilemma faced by a judge?

A) deciding to not arrest someone
B) convincing jailers to release his son on a nonbondable offense
C) calling a 20 minute recess after a particularly heated line of questioning
D) giving a convicted murderer a less severe sentence due to the person's age

Question 30

How does the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 apply to federal employees?

A) It establishes a reward system for federal employees who report their employers for genuine violations of rules, abuse of power, and wasting funds (among other concerns).
B) It implements a structured method for federal employees to report their employers for rule violations, wasting funds, or abusing authority (among other concerns).
C) It prevents reprisal against federal employees who report their employers for rule violations, wasting funds, or abusing authority (among other concerns).
D) It establishes a strict set of consequences for federal employees who falsely report their employers for rule violations, wasting funds, or abusing authority.

Question 31

A new police officer sees her mentor putting marijuana that was confiscated into his locker. The new officer decides not to say anything to the mentor or to superiors because she does not want to be viewed as disloyal. What has the new police officer perpetuated?

A) relative ethics
B) code of silence
C) noble cause corruption
D) oath of honor

Question 32

What should a federal judge do if he or she is assigned a case that involves an organization of which the judge is a member outside his or her official duties?

A) The judge must recuse himself or herself from the case.
B) The judge must ask the parties on both sides if they object to this judge hearing the case.
C) The judge must officially note on the record his or her affiliation with the organization.
D) The judge must have a secondary judge assigned to the case to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

Question 33

Which of the following is an example of unethical behavior perpetrated by a court employee?

A) a prosecutor deciding which case to be prosecuted
B) a defense attorney accepting payment from a client for defending him in court
C) a judge recusing herself from a case in which she is related to the defendant
D) a law clerk telling an attorney friend over dinner that the judge she works for prefers short bench memos

Question 34

The Knapp Commission investigated which of the following?

A) relative ethics
B) code of silence
C) absolute ethics
D) police corruption

Question 35

Upon starting work at a correction facility, Wanda notices that some of her colleagues seem to be engaging in unethical behavior. One specific incident involved other corrections officers organizing "races" in which officers would place bets on track matches between inmates. After confronting her colleagues did not stop the behavior, Wanda decides to report the behavior to superiors. This causes several corrections officers to be disciplined and some fired. Wanda's colleagues begin to bully her by making her look bad in front of inmates, not responding to her calls for backup, and changing her work schedule without notifying her. Which of the following have Wanda's colleagues violated?

A) Code of Silence
B) absolute ethics
C) Whistleblower Protection Act
D) absolute ethics

Question 36

In which case did the courts rule that police undercover agents are not required to administer the Miranda warning to incarcerated inmates when investigating crimes?

A) Tennessee v. Garner
B) Cope v. Florida
C) Illinois v. Perkins
D) Wisconsin v. Griffin

Question 37

Which of the following is considered one of the most distressing forms of police deception?

A) lying to conceal or promote criminality
B) lying to secure or elicit a confession
C) lying to ensure a conviction
D) lying to obtain a search or seizure warrant

Question 38

An officer attempting to secure a search warrant lies and says he saw a large quantity of drugs inside the suspect's residence. The officer justifies the dishonesty because without it, the judge will not sign the search warrant. What does this exemplify?

A) harmless lying
B) justifiable lying
C) accepted lying
D) deviant lying

Question 39

Which of the following was one of the provisions of the Ethics Reform Act of 1989?

A) It regulates attorney conduct.
B) It prohibits officers from accepting any gratuities.
C) It standardized the police officer code of conduct.
D) It regulates judicial conduct.

Question 40

An officer lies to a suspect he is interrogating by saying that the suspect's partner has already confessed. The officer continues to say it is in the suspect's best interests to tell the officer everything about the crime. What does this exemplify?

A) harmless lying
B) justifiable lying
C) accepted lying
D) deviant lying

Question 41

Job-related stressors for correctional officers is similar to which other criminal justice field?

A) judges
B) defense attorneys
C) police officers
D) clerks

Question 42

Justin is a federal judge who has just been assigned a case. After looking over the details, he notices that he once worked on this same case while employed at one of the law firms involved in the case. Which of the following will result?

A) Justin will be disqualified from the case.
B) Justin will serve as whistleblower on the case.
C) Justin will perpetuate the code of silence.
D) Justin will invoked accepted lying and preside over the case.

Question 43

The recommended first step in the ethical decision-making process is __________.

A) consider all alternatives
B) decide if anyone else knows about the situation
C) consider whether the gains from the behavior are greater than the risk of getting caught
D) consider the likelihood of getting caught

Question 44

Which is the last step in the ethical decision-making process?

A) consider consequences of alternatives
B) consider how you would feel explaining choice to stakeholders
C) list stakeholders
D) consider your alternatives

Question 45

When considering the consequences for each action, what should one remember?

A) The correct option is the one with the fewest negative outcomes.
B) The correct option is the one that seems best suited for the situation.
C) The correct option is the one most of the stakeholders will approve.
D) The correct option is the one without any reaction or recourse.

Question 46

In which of the following correctional facilities would corrections subculture likely be the strongest?

A) in facilities with higher numbers of prisoners
B) in facilities with lower numbers of prisoners
C) in minimum-security facilities
D) in maximum-security facilities

Question 47

Which of the following is a question one might ask when considering the consequences of each alternative?

A) What are existing options in the situation you are facing?
B) Which people and organizations will likely favor and oppose each option?
C) Who will be affected by my decision and actions?
D) How will I explain my actions to stakeholders, family, and friends?

Question 48

Which of the following are addressed in the Ethics Reform Act?

A) appropriate applications of accepted lying
B) methods to break the code of silence
C) guidelines to handle federal employee conflicts of interest
D) signals that deviant lying as occurred

Question 49

While trying to make an ethical decision, Quentin asks himself, "What are existing options in the situation I am facing?" At which stage of the ethical decision-making process is Quentin?

A) consider consequences of alternatives
B) consider how you would feel explaining choice to stakeholders
C) list stakeholders
D) consider your alternatives

Question 50

All of the following have been identified as norms of correctional work EXCEPT ______.

A) always go to the aid of an officer in distress
B) never make another officer look bad in front of the inmates
C) do not participate in behavior that suggests sympathy with inmates
D) never report mistreatment of inmates by another officer

Question 51

Which of the following is one of the identified norms of the correctional officer subculture?

A) administer retribution to colleagues who whistleblower
B) go to the aid of an officer in distress
C) support inmates who are disputing with other officers
D) participate in behavior that suggests sympathy toward inmates

Question 52

If you are determining which people or organizations will be affected by your decision, you are engaged in which step of the ethical decision-making process?

A) consider consequences of alternatives
B) consider how you would feel explaining choice to stakeholders
C) list stakeholders
D) consider your alternatives

Question 53

Juanita recuses herself from a case that involves a company where her sister serves as a board member. This is an example of which disqualification requirement under Canon 3C(1) of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges of the ABA?

A) Juanita has personal knowledge of the case's disputed facts.
B) The law firm where Juanita used to work is handling the case.
C) Juanita's is related to an attorney involved in the case.
D) An immediate family member has a financial interest in a case's party.

Question 54

Carla is a corrections officer at a local prison. During her shift, she gets into a dispute with another corrections officer over sanctions they implemented with a few inmates. During the argument, Carla says, "I see why the inmates did it. I would have done the same thing if I was in their shows, so I don't think they should be punished." Which of the following corrections norms has Carla broken?

A) always be loyal to other officers
B) do not make another officer look bad in front of inmates
C) always go to the aid of an officer in distress
D) do not wear a "white hat"

Question 55

Claude is a corrections officer in a federal prison. Several of Claude's colleagues are engaging what he feels to be unethical behavior. He considers telling his superiors about the behavior. Claude then begins to list the coworkers that would be affected by his action. Which of the following is Claude currently considering?

A) alternative options
B) stakeholders
C) consequences
D) explanation to stakeholders

Question 56

A judge who is related to a part or attorney in a case they have been assigned must do which of the following?

A) recuse himself or herself from the case
B) remain as impartial as possible
C) invoke the whistleblowers protection act
D) treat both parties in a professional and similar fashion

Question 57

In the correctional officer subculture, "wearing a white hat" describes which type of behavior?

A) whistleblowing against colleagues
B) participating in behavior that suggest sympathy toward inmates
C) supporting another officer's sanctions against an inmate
D) aiding a colleague in distress

Question 58

Why is loyalty a key norm among correctional officers?

A) reliance on one another for safety
B) responsibility to hold one another accountable
C) commitment of mutual support to one another
D) experience of a shared harsh work environment

Question 59

Exposure to which of the following in the workplace increases group solidarity among employees?

A) harmony
B) danger
C) security
D) rules

Question 60

After selecting an option during the ethical decision-making process, Gregory considers whether he would be ashamed to talk about his actions in this situation with family and friends. At which stage of the ethical decision-making process is Gregory?

A) first
B) second
C) third
D) fourth

Question 61

In considering whether a given behavior is ethical, the test of common sense would ask what kind of question?

A) What would one's parents or minister do in this situation?
B) What is the longer-term likely result?
C) Would someone look askance at this?
D) Would you be willing to see the action on the front page of the local newspaper?

Question 62

Lying to conceal criminality is the most distressing form of deception.

Question 63

At the end of her first shift as a police officer, Daisy notices that her mentor takes home a wallet and a pair of shoes that have been confiscated from a suspect. She does not have a good feeling about this actions and asks herself "Is there a law against that? What might a newspaper say if they knew about this?" Which is Daisy using?

A) test of common sense
B) test of one's best self
C) the bell, the book, and the candle tool
D) the ethical decision-making tool

Question 64

Deirdre is a forensic nurse that has been hired by a prosecutor to be an expert witness in an upcoming homicide case. The prosecutor asks Deirdre to say markings on the victim's body were caused by a right-handed individual, even though she believes they were caused by someone who was left-handed. The prosecutor explains that the defendant is right handed, but that he has been a repeat offender of violent crimes. They want to be sure the defendant is incarcerated. When deciding what to do, Deirdre asks herself, "What affect will my testimony have on the rest of the defendant's life?" Which ethical test is Deirdre using?

A) test of common sense
B) test of publicity
C) test of foresight
D) test of one's best self

Question 65

Marcus, a defense lawyer, has been asked by a partner at his law firm to connect on social media with a plaintiff to gather information about the person for an upcoming case. The partner says not to tell the plaintiff that he is a lawyer when requesting to connect. Marcus asks himself if this action fits with how he views himself. Which of the following ethical tests in Marcus using?

A) test of common sense
B) test of publicity
C) test of one's best self
D) test of one's most admired personality

Question 66

There are no standardized codes of conduct for judges.

Question 67

Discussions of ethics among police officers include the concern that police culture often places greater emphasis on loyalty over integrity.

Question 68

Which ethical test asks about the long-term likely result?

A) test of common sense
B) test of publicity
C) test of foresight
D) test of hurting someone

Question 69

Another tool to help guide ethical decision-making is referred to as "the bell, the book, and the ______."

A) candle
B) self
C) other
D) harm

Question 70

Judicial misconduct and abuses of power erode public confidence in the justice system.

Question 71

One's personal values can easily be challenged in criminal justice work.

Question 72

In considering whether a given behavior is ethical, the test of one's most admired personality would ask what kind of question?

A) What would one's parents or minister do in this situation?
B) What is the longer-term likely result?
C) Does the act make sense or would someone question it?
D) Will the action cause pain for someone?

Question 73

Police corruption is generally limited to situations that result in monetary gain.

Question 74

What should you ask yourself is conducting a test of publicity?

A) Would someone look askance at this?
B) Would I be willing to see this action in the news?
C) Does this act fit within my self-concept?
D) Does this cause pain for someone else?

Question 75

Absolute ethics is the type of ethics where there are only two sides.

Question 76

Which of the following terms refers to contemplating whether an action violates any laws or codes?

A) the bells
B) the book
C) the self
D) the other

Question 77

If you are asking yourself "what your mother would say" in response to an action you've taken, which ethical test are you using?

A) test of common sense
B) test of one's best self
C) test of one's most admired personality
D) test of hurting someone else

Question 78

Police administrators should emphasize to their officers a standard of always being truthful and following the law.

Question 79

From a legal and moral standpoint, it is potentially dangerous for a police agency to hire someone suspected of having ethical shortcomings.

Question 80

All police agencies prohibit officers from accepting gratuities.