Question 1

By 2017, what percentage of appellate judges are Latinos?

Accepted Answer

A)  15 
B)  7 
C)  47 
D)  30 
A)  15 
B)  7 
C)  47 
D)  30 A

Question 2

In Texas, approximately how many criminal convictions are the result of plea bargains?

Accepted Answer

A)  97 percent 
B)  55 percent 
C)  13 percent 
D)  33 percent 
A)  97 percent 
B)  55 percent 
C)  13 percent 
D)  33 percent A

Question 3

The Texas Supreme Court hears criminal cases only.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 4

Minority representation across the judicial branch is not representative of the diversity of the U.S. population, and this is particularly true in Texas. Why is minority representation so low? What efforts have been made to remedy this situation? Is there a solution to increasing representation from a variety of Texans?

Accepted Answer

a. Minority representation is low: White

Question 5

Mediation is popular in civil disputes because the parties to the dispute are NOT forced into a particular decision, as they would be with arbitration.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Judicial elections in Texas are nonpartisan.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Who can file a complaint with the State Commission on Judicial Conduct?

Accepted Answer

A)  the public, attorneys, and members of the judiciary 
B)  only members of the judiciary 
C)  only individuals who are licensed to practice law in Texas 
D)  only elected officials 
A)  the public, attorneys, and members of the judiciary 
B)  only members of the judiciary 
C)  only individuals who are licensed to practice law in Texas 
D)  only elected officials

Question 8

The majority of the cases that justice of the peace judges hear are those regarding

Accepted Answer

A)  civil cases. 
B)  traffic misdemeanors. 
C)  death penalty cases. 
D)  marriages. 
A)  civil cases. 
B)  traffic misdemeanors. 
C)  death penalty cases. 
D)  marriages.

Question 9

What is the most important role the governor of Texas plays in the judicial process?

Accepted Answer

A)  The governor has the power to permanently appoint all municipal court judges. 
B)  The governor has the power to limit the jurisdiction of the appellate courts. 
C)  The governor has the power to appoint district and appellate judges to fill any vacancies on the bench for the time period before elections are held, or to fill judgeships on new courts. 
D)  The governor has the power to add additional judges to the appellate courts whenever there is a six-month backlog in cases. 
A)  The governor has the power to permanently appoint all municipal court judges. 
B)  The governor has the power to limit the jurisdiction of the appellate courts. 
C)  The governor has the power to appoint district and appellate judges to fill any vacancies on the bench for the time period before elections are held, or to fill judgeships on new courts. 
D)  The governor has the power to add additional judges to the appellate courts whenever there is a six-month backlog in cases.

Question 10

Municipal courts have jurisdiction over

Accepted Answer

A)  class A misdemeanors that are violations of federal law committed within the city limits. 
B)  violations of city ordinances. 
C)  traffic violations outside the city. 
D)  third-degree felonies committed within the city limits. 
A)  class A misdemeanors that are violations of federal law committed within the city limits. 
B)  violations of city ordinances. 
C)  traffic violations outside the city. 
D)  third-degree felonies committed within the city limits.

Question 11

Justice of the peace courts handle which kind of disputes?

Accepted Answer

A)  small claims 
B)  felonies 
C)  violations of federal law 
D)  capital murder cases 
A)  small claims 
B)  felonies 
C)  violations of federal law 
D)  capital murder cases

Question 12

One reason why there are few minority judges in Texas is that

Accepted Answer

A)  there are few get-out-the-vote drives that focus on the importance of judicial races. 
B)  judicial districts are often quite large and dominated by whites who vote against minority judicial candidates. 
C)  minority candidates usually run as Republicans, while minority constituents generally vote for Democrats. 
D)  minority candidates tend to be outspent by white candidates. 
A)  there are few get-out-the-vote drives that focus on the importance of judicial races. 
B)  judicial districts are often quite large and dominated by whites who vote against minority judicial candidates. 
C)  minority candidates usually run as Republicans, while minority constituents generally vote for Democrats. 
D)  minority candidates tend to be outspent by white candidates.

Question 13

Why is it difficult for voters to learn about judicial candidates in Texas?

Accepted Answer

A)  Judicial candidates, by law, are prevented from actively campaigning for office. 
B)  Most judicial candidates fill their campaign literature with arcane legal analysis. 
C)  Voters are called upon to vote for too many different judicial races in a single election. 
D)  Most voters never go to court, so they have little knowledge upon which to base their decisions. 
A)  Judicial candidates, by law, are prevented from actively campaigning for office. 
B)  Most judicial candidates fill their campaign literature with arcane legal analysis. 
C)  Voters are called upon to vote for too many different judicial races in a single election. 
D)  Most voters never go to court, so they have little knowledge upon which to base their decisions.

Question 14

In 1996, the voters of Texas chose to adopt the merit selection of judges.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Which court in Texas has automatic jurisdiction over all death penalty cases?

Accepted Answer

A)  the court of criminal appeals 
B)  the supreme court 
C)  the district court 
D)  the justice of the peace court 
A)  the court of criminal appeals 
B)  the supreme court 
C)  the district court 
D)  the justice of the peace court

Question 16

The Texas Judicial Campaign Fairness Act

Accepted Answer

A)  limits the amount of campaign contributions a judicial candidate can receive from an individual donor. 
B)  compels a judge to recuse himself or herself from any case involving donors who have contributed in excess of $50,000. 
C)  restricts judicial advertising to radio and television ads. 
D)  forbids law firms or corporations from making donations. 
A)  limits the amount of campaign contributions a judicial candidate can receive from an individual donor. 
B)  compels a judge to recuse himself or herself from any case involving donors who have contributed in excess of $50,000. 
C)  restricts judicial advertising to radio and television ads. 
D)  forbids law firms or corporations from making donations.

Question 17

How many states also have in place a campaign fairness act similar to that of Texas's Judicial Campaign Fairness Act?

Accepted Answer

A)  none: Texas is the only one 
B)  two: Texas and California 
C)  three: Texas, California, and New York 
D)  13: the majority of the southeast United States has supported this concept. 
A)  none: Texas is the only one 
B)  two: Texas and California 
C)  three: Texas, California, and New York 
D)  13: the majority of the southeast United States has supported this concept.

Question 18

In a criminal trial, there must be a unanimous verdict for the defendant to be found guilty.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Which court hears appeals from justices of the peace and from municipal courts?

Accepted Answer

A)  statutory county courts at law 
B)  probate court 
C)  district court 
D)  the county commissioner 
A)  statutory county courts at law 
B)  probate court 
C)  district court 
D)  the county commissioner

Question 20

At the same time that the Texas Supreme Court become more conservative,

Accepted Answer

A)  the U.S. Supreme Court issued guidelines that states had to follow for tort reform. 
B)  Governor Bush signaled his willingness to support legislation such as a "Patient's Bill of Rights" that would make it easier for patients to sue hospitals for medical malpractice. 
C)  the legislature was also passing laws that favored businesses, creating a situation where it is becoming more difficult for individuals to successfully sue businesses in civil lawsuits. 
D)  the Texas Bar Association announced its support for widespread tort reform. 
A)  the U.S. Supreme Court issued guidelines that states had to follow for tort reform. 
B)  Governor Bush signaled his willingness to support legislation such as a "Patient's Bill of Rights" that would make it easier for patients to sue hospitals for medical malpractice. 
C)  the legislature was also passing laws that favored businesses, creating a situation where it is becoming more difficult for individuals to successfully sue businesses in civil lawsuits. 
D)  the Texas Bar Association announced its support for widespread tort reform.

By 2017, what percentage of appellate judges are Latinos?

In Texas, approximately how many criminal convictions are the result of plea bargains?

The Texas Supreme Court hears criminal cases only.

Mediation is popular in civil disputes because the parties to the dispute are NOT forced into a particular decision, as they would be with arbitration.

Judicial elections in Texas are nonpartisan.

Who can file a complaint with the State Commission on Judicial Conduct?

The majority of the cases that justice of the peace judges hear are those regarding

What is the most important role the governor of Texas plays in the judicial process?

Municipal courts have jurisdiction over

Justice of the peace courts handle which kind of disputes?

One reason why there are few minority judges in Texas is that

Why is it difficult for voters to learn about judicial candidates in Texas?

In 1996, the voters of Texas chose to adopt the merit selection of judges.

Which court in Texas has automatic jurisdiction over all death penalty cases?

The Texas Judicial Campaign Fairness Act

How many states also have in place a campaign fairness act similar to that of Texas's Judicial Campaign Fairness Act?

In a criminal trial, there must be a unanimous verdict for the defendant to be found guilty.

Which court hears appeals from justices of the peace and from municipal courts?

At the same time that the Texas Supreme Court become more conservative,

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

Local Government

Public Finance

Public Policy

Crime and Corrections Policy

Building the Future: Public Policies for a Changing Texas

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Exam 9: The Judiciary

By 2017, what percentage of appellate judges are Latinos?

In Texas, approximately how many criminal convictions are the result of plea bargains?

The Texas Supreme Court hears criminal cases only.

Mediation is popular in civil disputes because the parties to the dispute are NOT forced into a particular decision, as they would be with arbitration.

Judicial elections in Texas are nonpartisan.

Who can file a complaint with the State Commission on Judicial Conduct?

The majority of the cases that justice of the peace judges hear are those regarding

What is the most important role the governor of Texas plays in the judicial process?

Municipal courts have jurisdiction over

Justice of the peace courts handle which kind of disputes?

One reason why there are few minority judges in Texas is that

Why is it difficult for voters to learn about judicial candidates in Texas?

In 1996, the voters of Texas chose to adopt the merit selection of judges.

Which court in Texas has automatic jurisdiction over all death penalty cases?

The Texas Judicial Campaign Fairness Act

How many states also have in place a campaign fairness act similar to that of Texas's Judicial Campaign Fairness Act?

In a criminal trial, there must be a unanimous verdict for the defendant to be found guilty.

Which court hears appeals from justices of the peace and from municipal courts?

At the same time that the Texas Supreme Court become more conservative,

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

Local Government

Public Finance

Public Policy

Crime and Corrections Policy

Building the Future: Public Policies for a Changing Texas

Filters