Question 1

Approximately what percentage of criminal convictions are obtained through plea bargaining?

Accepted Answer

A)  60% 
B)  70% 
C)  80% 
D)  90%

Question 2

What preconviction process benefits the defense by avoiding the risk of a harsher punishment and benefits the prosecution by avoiding the risk of acquittal?

Accepted Answer

A)  plea bargaining 
B)  pretrial release 
C)  pretrial detention 
D)  peremptory challenges

Question 3

Bryce was charged with first degree murder. Through his attorney, he offers to plead guilty to manslaughter in exchange for a lesser sentence. What preconviction process is he engaging in?

Accepted Answer

A)  charge bargaining 
B)  count bargaining 
C)  offer bargaining 
D)  nolo contendere bargaining

Question 4

One characteristic of our adversarial court system is the use of ______ to test evidence.

Accepted Answer

A)  sophisticated technology 
B)  bargaining 
C)  cross-examination of witnesses 
D)  policy making

Question 5

The exchange of evidence between prosecutor and defense attorney prior to trial, with the goal of promoting a fair trial, is known as ______.

Accepted Answer

A)  disclosure 
B)  exchanged evidence 
C)  exculpatory evidence 
D)  discovery

Question 6

At which level of court would a murder trial be held?

Accepted Answer

A)  state appellate court 
B)  state supreme court 
C)  trial court of limited jurisdiction 
D)  trial court of general jurisdiction

Question 7

In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court decided in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right. This ruling made same-sex marriage legal in the entire U.S., including the 13 states that still banned same-sex couples from marrying. This is an example of the court engaging in ______.

Accepted Answer

A)  policy making 
B)  legislating 
C)  executing statutes 
D)  bargaining

Question 8

What is one difference between challenges for cause and peremptory challenges in the juror selection process?

Accepted Answer

A)  Prosecutors use challenges for cause, while defense attorneys use peremptory challenges. 
B)  Prosecutors and defense attorneys have unlimited challenges for cause, but only have a limited number of peremptory challenges. 
C)  Peremptory challenges are only available to the judge, whereas challenges for cause are available to both prosecutors and defense attorneys. 
D)  Challenges for cause were used in colonial courtrooms, whereas peremptory challenges are preferred in the modern courtroom.

Question 9

What is another term for "charging the jury"?

Accepted Answer

A)  prosecution rebuttal 
B)  jury selection 
C)  preliminary instructions 
D)  jury instructions

Question 10

What does it mean that a prisoner's petition to the court has standing?

Accepted Answer

A)  The inmate can appear in court. 
B)  The inmate has a valid complaint. 
C)  The inmate used proper format in the petition. 
D)  The petition is based on legal precedent.

Question 11

What right to counsel do indigent defendants have with regard to filing an appeal?

Accepted Answer

A)  They have no right to appointed counsel for appeals. 
B)  They have an unlimited right to appointed counsel for appeals. 
C)  They have the right to counsel for up to two appeals. 
D)  They have the right to appointed counsel for the first appeal.

Question 12

Each of the following is a potential sentence a judge may impose on a guilty person EXCEPT ______.

Accepted Answer

A)  parole 
B)  probation 
C)  prison 
D)  financial sanctions

Question 13

In 1999, a teenager named Hae Min Lee was found brutally murdered. Shortly afterwards, her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, was arrested and indicted by a grand jury. Prior to the trial, the defense filed an omnibus request for discovery, or an exchange of information, from the prosecution, as all they knew was Hae had been murdered and an unnamed person had implicated Syed. Which of the following terms describes this process?

Accepted Answer

A)  pretrial relief 
B)  pretrial release 
C)  pretrial detention 
D)  pretrial motion

Question 14

A criminal defendant is NOT entitled to a jury trial when they are ______.

Accepted Answer

A)  juveniles being charged in adult court for a felony offense 
B)  juveniles being charged with first-degree murder with the death penalty as an option 
C)  charged with any misdemeanor offense 
D)  charged with misdemeanors with a penalty of less than 6 months in jail

Question 15

What considerations does the judge make in determining bail?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What considerations does the judge make in...

Question 16

What term describes all of the steps in the adjudicatory process, from indictment or charge to conviction or acquittal?

Accepted Answer

A)  pre-trial process 
B)  trial process 
C)  trial protocol 
D)  trial deliberations

Question 17

Which of the following examples might lead a court to believe that an individuals' right to a speedy trial was violated in the state courts?

Accepted Answer

A)  The prosecution delayed the trial because a key witness was unavailable. 
B)  The trial has been delayed for six months from the date of arrest. 
C)  The trial has been delayed for two years after the date of arrest because the defense team benefitted from the delay. 
D)  The prosecution delayed the trial unnecessarily in order to help their own case, during which time a key defense witness passed away.

Question 18

For how long do district judges serve?

Accepted Answer

A)  2 years 
B)  15 years 
C)  30 years 
D)  life

Question 19

What is the court that serves as an intermediate court between the U.S. District Court and the U.S. Supreme Court?

Accepted Answer

A)  Circuit Court of Appeals 
B)  Courts of General Jurisdiction 
C)  Courts of Limited Jurisdiction 
D)  Courts of Intermediate Jurisdiction

Question 20

What is a court's legal authority to hear and decide a particular type of case called?

Accepted Answer

A)  jurisdiction 
B)  venue 
C)  case equity 
D)  autonomy

Exam 9: Court Organization: Structure, Functions, and Trial Process