Deck 10: Crime and Corrections Policy

Question 1

An individual convicted of a nonviolent crime must serve how much of his or her term before being considered for parole?

A) half of his or her sentence
B) at least one-third of his or her sentence
C) at least one-fourth of fifteen years, or whichever is less
D) at least fifteen years
E) There is no established amount of time for a criminal to serve before parole review.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

An individual convicted of a ______ felony will receive a punishment of two to ten years in prison and possibly a fine of up to $10,000.

A) capital
B) first-degree
C) second-degree
D) third-degree
E) state-jail

Answer 2

D

Question 3

A(n) ______ determines whether sufficient evidence is available to justify a trial.

A) justice of the peace
B) en banc committee
C) grand jury
D) district attorney
E) probate judge

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Which of the following makes the decision to grant parole?

A) a judge
B) a district attorney
C) the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles
D) the Texas Board of Prison Release
E) a defending attorney

Question 5

A minor criminal offense, usually punishable by a small fine or a short jail sentence, is a(n)

A) felony.
B) indictment.
C) petty crime.
D) misdemeanor.
E) capital crime.

Question 6

In the state of Texas, what is the policy for felons' rights to vote?

A) Felons are allowed to vote upon full discharge of their sentences.
B) Felons are allowed to vote upon full discharge of their sentences and completed community service.
C) Felons are allowed to vote only if their convictions involved crimes lesser than third-degree felonies.
D) Felons are allowed to vote only upon governor approval.
E) Felons are never allowed to vote in the state of Texas.

Question 7

For felonies, in general, most probation sentences run for up to ______ years of community supervision.

A) three
B) five
C) ten
D) fifteen
E) twenty-five

Question 8

In regard to the rules of community supervision (probation) requirements, what are the results of compliance versus violation?

A) A criminal in compliance will likely have his or her record expunged, while a criminal in violation will likely be given a harsher sentence in the future.
B) A criminal in compliance will likely receive an early release of up to one-third the term, while a criminal in violation may be sent to jail for the remainder of his or her sentence.
C) A criminal in compliance will likely receive monetary compensation for his or her time, while a criminal in violation may be sent to jail for the remainder of his or her sentence.
D) A criminal in compliance will likely receive an early release of up to two-thirds the term, while a criminal in violation may be sent to jail for the remainder of his or her sentence, with an additional amount of time added to his or her initial sentencing.
E) A criminal in compliance will likely receive an early release after the first year of the term, while a criminal in violation may be sent to death row.

Question 9

Which of the following groups of crimes are considered second-degree felonies?

A) aggravated sexual assault, robbery, bribery, and stalking
B) robbery, stalking, aggravated assault on a public servant, and violation of a protective order
C) manslaughter, bigamy, capital murder, and forgery of a check
D) bigamy, sexual assault, arson, and manslaughter
E) speeding and reckless driving

Question 10

The highest fine an individual can receive upon criminal sentencing is ___________.

A) $5,000
B) $10,000
C) $20,000
D) $50,000
E) $100,000

Question 11

A grand jury consists of how many individuals to possibly hear a case?

A) ten to fifteen
B) twelve
C) fifteen to twenty
D) twenty to thirty
E) at least twenty-five

Question 12

The lowest class of misdemeanor is which of the following?

A) Class A
B) Class B
C) Class C
D) state jail
E) second degree

Question 13

A serious criminal offense that subjects a person to state prison punishment is a(n)

A) felony.
B) indictment.
C) petty crime.
D) misdemeanor.
E) capital crime.

Question 14

Money that is provided by the defendant to assure his or her appearance in court is referred to as ______.

A) a court fee
B) bail
C) bounty
D) defendant compensation
E) a bond

Question 15

If an individual were to commit three state-jail felonies, does the state of Texas have the right to punish that person with life imprisonment?

A) no, based on the level of punishment according to the Texas penal code
B) no, based on the state constitution
C) yes, based on the state constitution
D) yes, based on the three-strikes provision of the Texas penal code
E) yes, based on moral values

Question 16

Which of the following does the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles not handle?

A) revocation of parole
B) conditions of parole
C) decisions on which prisoners are due to be released on parole
D) recommendations on clemency to the governor
E) The board handles all of the above.

Question 17

In cases in which the accused cannot provide bail or cannot pay a bondsman, what option may this individual have?

A) The individual can provide his or her home as collateral to the court.
B) The individual can work off his or her payment in community service.
C) The individual can voluntarily serve time to avoid bail costs.
D) The individual can be released on his or her personal promise to appear.
E) The individual has no options and must remain incarcerated.

Question 18

In a situation in which the defendant may have committed his or her first offense, the judge is more likely to issue a punishment of ______.

A) probation
B) community service
C) temporary jail time
D) a reduction in sentence
E) absolution of crime

Question 19

In misdemeanor convictions, individuals lose their rights to which of the following?

A) right to possess a weapon
B) right to vote
C) right to some occupational licenses
D) right to a driver's license
E) The individual will not lose any of these rights.

Question 20

During the first appearance before a judge, referred to as the arraignment, what will likely happen?

A) The judge will repeat the due process rights of the accused and set bail.
B) The judge will set bail and release the individual.
C) The judge will determine the length of time the accused must stay in jail.
D) The judge will gather a grand jury to determine the status of a trial.
E) The judge will gather a grand jury to determine the guilt of the accused.

Question 21

What type of offenses are Texas prison inmates most likely to be imprisoned for?

A) property offenses
B) drug offenses
C) personal offenses
D) violent offenses
E) automobile offenses

Question 22

Misdemeanor juries in the state of Texas require ______ members, while felony juries require ______ members.

A) six; nine
B) six; twelve
C) nine; ten
D) nine; twelve
E) twelve; twelve

Question 23

Which of the following best describes capital punishment in Texas?

A) The number of prisoners executed in Texas has been slowly decreasing since the 1970s.
B) Texas has both the highest rate of executions and the highest rate of successful death sentence appeals in the nation.
C) Texas executes more individuals than any other state and has a statistically low rate of successfully appealed capital cases.
D) The number of executions in Texas is double the number of executions in every other state combined.
E) Texas has had more death penalty cases overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court than any other state.

Question 24

In the 1972 case of Ruiz v. Estelle, the U.S. federal court determined that

A) inmates' constitutionally guaranteed rights had been violated in Texas prisons.
B) inmates' treatment was ethical and appropriate based on the sentences.
C) inmates' case based on crowding, security, supervision, and health care had no basis and was thrown out of court.
D) inmates' treatment was to match the crimes they had committed, taking on a policy of "eye for an eye."
E) inmates were to participate in a work-study program in order to receive an education in prison.

Question 25

In the past twenty years, the costs of prison construction and maintenance have risen from approximately ______ to approximately ______.

A) $147 million; $3 billion
B) $147 million; $900 million
C) $1 billion; $5 billion
D) $609 million; $1.5 billion
E) $609 million; $2.8 billion

Question 26

What is one of the biggest issues in regard to perpetuating criminal activities in Texas?

A) The requirements placed on offenders are not difficult enough and can result in a lack of respect for the system.
B) The requirements placed on offenders allow for excessive interaction with fellow criminals, continuing the cycle of negative contacts.
C) The requirements placed on offenders are so difficult to comply with that offenders will likely disregard the requirements and hope to not get caught.
D) The structure of the criminal system allows for too many appeals and therefore encourages offenders to violate requirements.
E) Criminals are more likely to associate with other criminals, therefore perpetuating the cycle.

Question 27

In Texas, the legal standard of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is used in which types of cases?

A) felony
B) misdemeanor
C) civil
D) both felony and misdemeanor cases
E) "Beyond a reasonable doubt" is a standard used in federal, not state, court.

Question 28

A very common method prosecutors use to maintain high conviction rates is a(n)

A) bench trial.
B) jury trial.
C) plea bargain between the defendant and the state.
D) indictment from a grand jury.
E) plea bargain between the defendant and the plaintiff.

Question 29

Which individual has the vast amount of discretion in determining whether to charge a person with a crime?

A) the prosecutor
B) the judge
C) the formal jury
D) the defendant
E) the criminal attorney

Question 30

A written statement issued by a grand jury that charges a suspect with a crime and states that a trial is warranted is referred to as a

A) bench trial warrant.
B) plea bargain.
C) misdemeanor affidavit.
D) true bill.
E) capital report.

Question 31

What percentage of Texas prison inmates has been convicted of drug offenses?

A) 6 percent
B) 15 percent
C) 18 percent
D) 28 percent
E) 55 percent

Question 32

Between 1973 and 1995, 68 percent of death penalty appeals were successful in the United States. What percentage was successful in Texas during that same time?

A) 37 percent
B) 43 percent
C) 52 percent
D) 61 percent
E) 74 percent

Question 33

The ______ attorney is more likely to represent the state in felony criminal cases, while the ______ attorney is more likely to represent the state in misdemeanor criminal cases.

A) system; district
B) district; county
C) county; district
D) state; district
E) state; county

Question 34

Which of the following states does not have a higher incarceration rate than Texas?

A) Louisiana
B) California
C) Mississippi
D) Oklahoma
E) Florida

Question 35

Which of the following is not likely to be included in a plea bargain?

A) a drop of some of the charges
B) a recommendation for a lighter sentence
C) a recommendation for a higher sentence with a lower fee
D) a reduction of some of the charges
E) a recommendation for a lower sentence with a higher fee

Question 36

The average age of an inmate in a Texas prison is ______ years old.

A) twenty-four
B) twenty-seven
C) thirty-two
D) thirty-seven
E) forty-five

Question 37

The most prison-prone group of individuals in society are those that are

A) male, between the ages of fifteen and thirty.
B) male, between the ages of twenty and twenty-nine.
C) male and are high school dropouts.
D) female, between the ages of twenty and thirty-four.
E) female and are high school dropouts.

Question 38

Jurors determine a guilty verdict in criminal cases

A) with a unanimous vote.
B) by a majority vote.
C) by a hung jury, declaring a mistrial.
D) by the judge determining their decision.
E) with a "50 percent plus one" vote.

Question 39

More than one hundred death-row inmates in Texas have been represented by

A) court-appointed attorneys with successful records.
B) personal attorneys with poor records.
C) court-appointed attorneys with troubled histories whose performances became an issue on appeal.
D) private attorneys with troubled histories whose performances and payments became an issue on appeal.
E) court-appointed attorneys with private financial backing, which created an issue during the appeal.

Question 40

Which of the following is not an explanation for why Texas has one of the most controversial death penalty systems in the United States?

A) The court of criminal appeals has overturned no death penalty cases.
B) The court-appointed lawyers the state provides for defendants have often been subpar.
C) There are racial and ethnic disparities in who receives the death penalty and who does not.
D) Texas has led the nation in the number of executions since 1976.
E) Since 1977, the electric chair has been the means for execution in Texas.

Question 41

If a grand jury returns a "no bill," they did not find probable cause to move forward with a criminal trial.

Question 42

Wrongfully convicted individuals in the state of Texas can receive a lump sum of ______ for each year they wrongfully served prison time, plus some additional yearly payments of up to ______ per year.

A) $50,000; $50,000
B) $75,000; $100,000
C) $80,000; $80,000
D) $80,000; $100,000
E) $100,000; $100,000

Question 43

Texas leads the nation in the number of state-sanctioned executions.

Question 44

In most situations, the first driving-while-intoxicated (DWI) charge is filed as a Class B misdemeanor.

Question 45

A defendant is more likely to be given probation based on the fact that it may be his or her first conviction.

Question 46

Which of the following states has not outright banned or considered a ban on the death penalty?

A) California
B) New Jersey
C) North Carolina
D) Texas
E) Illinois

Question 47

What is the process for granting clemency in Texas?

A) The governor has complete control of whether to grant clemency.
B) The governor must follow the recommendations of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.
C) The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles makes a unilateral collective decision.
D) There is no procedure for clemency in Texas.
E) The court of criminal appeals must overturn the case.

Question 48

A second-degree felony can be punishable by two to twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.

Question 49

Which Texas county sends more people to death row than any other county in America?

A) Harris County
B) Dallas County
C) Austin County
D) Bexar County
E) Tarrant County

Question 50

Stalking is an example of a third-degree felony.

Question 51

The average prison time served by those that have been exonerated was ______ years.

A) eight
B) thirteen
C) nineteen
D) twenty-four
E) thirty-one

Question 52

What is the average amount of time an inmate spends on death row in Texas before execution?

A)5.23 years
B)10.26 years
C)18.37 years
D)22.45 years
E)29.85 years

Question 53

What means of execution does Texas currently use?

A) lethal injection
B) the electric chair
C) hanging
D) a firing squad
E) Texas does not currently issue the penalty of execution.

Question 54

Plea bargains are not often used in Texas criminal trials.

Question 55

It is possible for a two-time offender of a DWI to be charged with a third-degree felony.

Question 56

A felony is a serious criminal offense, punishable by a prison sentence or fine.

Question 57

In the state of Texas, which race/ethnicity is most likely to be on death row today?

A) Caucasian
B) African American
C) Hispanic
D) Asian American
E) Race/ethnicity does not raise one's likelihood of being given the death penalty.

Question 58

Which of the following is not a reason that an individual can be given the death penalty in Texas?

A) murder for hire
B) murder during the commission of an aggravated rape
C) murder of a child under the age of twelve
D) murder of a public safety officer, fireman, or correctional employee
E) murder by a prison inmate serving a life sentence

Question 59

Misdemeanor crimes can only result in a fine of more than $4,000 and a sentence of over one year in jail.

Question 60

Which of the following is NOT a controversy that has led to the questioning of the integrity of the Texas criminal justice system?

A) the false drug arrests in Tulia
B) the false witness case in Burleson County
C) the Houston Crime Lab scandal
D) the Dallas DNA exonerations
E) the University of Texas corruption scandal

Question 61

The integrity of the Texas judicial system has been called into question many times. Explain what events have caused these questions. Then discuss the outcome of the situations and what the state of Texas is doing to combat future accusations.

Question 62

The governor of Texas is unable to grant clemency to death-row inmates without the recommendation of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Question 63

One of the most controversial judicial issues in Texas is the death penalty. Explain some of the reasons for the controversy. How does race play a role in the controversy? What role does the court of criminal appeals play? What is the process by which clemencies are offered?

Question 64

Discuss the options a judge and prosecutor may have when addressing a criminal case. Review the levels of criminal charges and the possibility of a plea bargain and probation. Based on this knowledge, how "tough" is the Texas system?

Question 65

What is the controversy tied to criminal cases, in particular capital cases, in the state of Texas? Why is there such a controversy? What protections are put in place in order to help protect the defendant in these cases?

Question 66

Explain and discuss Texas's correctional system. What is the history of the system? What presents hurdles to an effective system? Can Texas prisons ever be considered the best in the nation?

Question 67

Lethal injection has been the means for execution in Texas since 1977.

Question 68

The governor can alter a prisoner's sentence without the majority support of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Question 69

Texas is the home of more verified wrongful convictions than any other state.