Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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)  Since 1977, the electric chair has been the means for execution in Texas. 
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)  Since 1977, the electric chair has been the means for execution in Texas. D

Question 2

For which type of offense are Texas prison inmates least likely to be imprisoned?

Accepted Answer

A)  prostitution 
B)  drug 
C)  property 
D)  misdemeanor 
A)  prostitution 
B)  drug 
C)  property 
D)  misdemeanor C

Question 3

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?

Accepted Answer

a.History: Shortly after Texas joined the Union,construction was authorized for a state penitentiary in Hunstville.The 225-cell facility opened in 1849.Prisoners stayed in a single cell at night and inmates congregated during the day to work in silence.From 1870 to 1883 the entire prison system was leased to private contractors who used the labor of inmates in exchange for providing maintenance and security for prisoners.After 1883,the Texas prison system was leased to railroads,planters,and others who provided prisoners with food,clothing,and paid a stipend to the state.The leasing arrangement was abandoned in 1910 as a result of abuse.A 1924 investigation of the system found cruel and brutal treatment of prisoners,inefficient management,and inadequate care of inmates.A state prison board was created in the mid-1940s.The Texas prison system was one of the worst.The 1974 Joint Committee on Prison Reform submitted findings to the legislature that were critical of the Texas prison system; Ruiz v.Estelle; federal supervision ended in 2002.
b.Hurdles: Dramatic increases in cost of prison construction and prison maintenance over time; construction varied from year to year,until 2007 when Texas legislature began to seriously address imprisonment; state government significantly increased the incarceration of offenders by building more prisons; 2011,first time in Texas history,state closed prisons,state leaders announced plans to close three juvenile detention centers with its move toward rehabilitation,crime prevention,and cost cutting; two other prisons closed in 2013; lack of accountability with prison systems and tax-payer dollar.
c.Texas prisons: Opinion.If yes,Texas is no longer handling its crime problem solely by incarceration.Alternatives such as drug treatment programs,community supervision,community service,electronic monitoring of offenders,and mandatory treatment for alcohol or drug addiction are used as a first response.The result has been a decline in prison construction and the beginning of prison closings,as well as efforts to compensate those wrongfully convicted.If no,politics is influential in crime and punishment,reform efforts have been unsuccessful in part because Texans believe in the death penalty and elected officials believe that in order to get elected they have to be tough on crime; they are responsive to the electorate.

Question 4

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.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

In the Texas criminal justice system,crimes are classified as felonies or misdemeanors.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

What are plea bargains used to do?

Accepted Answer

A)  appeal convictions in municipal court to district court 
B)  appeal a decision of the Texas Supreme Court to the U.S. Supreme Court 
C)  clear a crowded district court docket by negotiating guilty pleas in criminal cases 
D)  negotiate whether a dispute goes to a criminal court or a civil court 
A)  appeal convictions in municipal court to district court 
B)  appeal a decision of the Texas Supreme Court to the U.S. Supreme Court 
C)  clear a crowded district court docket by negotiating guilty pleas in criminal cases 
D)  negotiate whether a dispute goes to a criminal court or a civil court

Question 7

A major criticism of the grand jury is that it

Accepted Answer

A)  only considers "true bills." 
B)  usually rules "no bill." 
C)  consists of more men than women. 
D)  usually hears only what the prosecutor chooses to let it hear. 
A)  only considers "true bills." 
B)  usually rules "no bill." 
C)  consists of more men than women. 
D)  usually hears only what the prosecutor chooses to let it hear.

Question 8

Over 90 percent of Texas prisoners are male,and the average age of prisoners is only

Accepted Answer

A)  25. 
B)  18. 
C)  30. 
D)  38. 
A)  25. 
B)  18. 
C)  30. 
D)  38.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

A)  10-15 
B)  12 
C)  15-20 
D)  20-30 
A)  10-15 
B)  12 
C)  15-20 
D)  20-30

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

A)  Caucasian 
B)  African American 
C)  Hispanic 
D)  Asian American 
A)  Caucasian 
B)  African American 
C)  Hispanic 
D)  Asian American

Question 11

A(n)________ is a lawyer who is appointed by a judge to represent an individual who can't afford legal representation.

Accepted Answer

A)  assigned counsel 
B)  public defender 
C)  prosecutor 
D)  county attorney 
A)  assigned counsel 
B)  public defender 
C)  prosecutor 
D)  county attorney

Question 12

Which of the following makes the decision to grant parole?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

People serving time for capital crimes are eligible for parole.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

For which type of offenses are Texas prison inmates most likely to be imprisoned?

Accepted Answer

A)  property 
B)  drug 
C)  personal 
D)  violent 
A)  property 
B)  drug 
C)  personal 
D)  violent

Question 15

The Michael Morton Act established a uniform policy for district attorneys to make material that can help defendants' cases available to defense attorneys.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

Individuals who cannot afford an attorney have a constitutional right to have one appointed to them.Which Supreme Court case was instrumental in guaranteeing this right?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ruiz v. Estelle 
B)  Gideon v. Wainwright 
C)  Miranda v. Arizona 
D)  Betts v. Brady 
A)  Ruiz v. Estelle 
B)  Gideon v. Wainwright 
C)  Miranda v. Arizona 
D)  Betts v. Brady

Question 18

The major criticism of the grand jury is that it usually hears only what the prosecutor chooses to let it hear.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

In 2014,prisoners were serving about ________ percent of their sentences before being released.

Accepted Answer

A)  31.1 
B)  99.4 
C)  58.1 
D)  75.8 
A)  31.1 
B)  99.4 
C)  58.1 
D)  75.8

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

A)  probation. 
B)  community service. 
C)  temporary jail time. 
D)  incarceration. 
A)  probation. 
B)  community service. 
C)  temporary jail time. 
D)  incarceration.

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

For which type of offense are Texas prison inmates least likely to be imprisoned?

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?

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.

In the Texas criminal justice system,crimes are classified as felonies or misdemeanors.

What are plea bargains used to do?

A major criticism of the grand jury is that it

Over 90 percent of Texas prisoners are male,and the average age of prisoners is only

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

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

A(n)________ is a lawyer who is appointed by a judge to represent an individual who can't afford legal representation.

Which of the following makes the decision to grant parole?

People serving time for capital crimes are eligible for parole.

For which type of offenses are Texas prison inmates most likely to be imprisoned?

The Michael Morton Act established a uniform policy for district attorneys to make material that can help defendants' cases available to defense attorneys.

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

Individuals who cannot afford an attorney have a constitutional right to have one appointed to them.Which Supreme Court case was instrumental in guaranteeing this right?

The major criticism of the grand jury is that it usually hears only what the prosecutor chooses to let it hear.

In 2014,prisoners were serving about ________ percent of their sentences before being released.

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

The Political Culture,People,and Economy of Texas

The Texas Constitution

Texas in the Federal System

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

Interest Groups and Lobbying

The Legislature

The Executive Branch

The Judiciary

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Exam 13: Crime and Corrections Policy

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

For which type of offense are Texas prison inmates least likely to be imprisoned?

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?

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.

In the Texas criminal justice system,crimes are classified as felonies or misdemeanors.

What are plea bargains used to do?

A major criticism of the grand jury is that it

Over 90 percent of Texas prisoners are male,and the average age of prisoners is only

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

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

A(n)________ is a lawyer who is appointed by a judge to represent an individual who can't afford legal representation.

Which of the following makes the decision to grant parole?

People serving time for capital crimes are eligible for parole.

For which type of offenses are Texas prison inmates most likely to be imprisoned?

The Michael Morton Act established a uniform policy for district attorneys to make material that can help defendants' cases available to defense attorneys.

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

Individuals who cannot afford an attorney have a constitutional right to have one appointed to them.Which Supreme Court case was instrumental in guaranteeing this right?

The major criticism of the grand jury is that it usually hears only what the prosecutor chooses to let it hear.

In 2014,prisoners were serving about ________ percent of their sentences before being released.

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

The Political Culture,People,and Economy of Texas

The Texas Constitution

Texas in the Federal System

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

Interest Groups and Lobbying

The Legislature

The Executive Branch

The Judiciary

Local Government

Public Finance

Public Policy

Filters

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.