Exam 9: Courts and Pretrial Processes

Katie has been charged with armed robbery.  The judge has set her bail at $250,000.  She is currently in jail awaiting a family member to raise her bail.  This is Katie's first offense.  She claims that she was forced to commit the crime because she could not pay her rent. The judge in Katie's case determined her bail amount based on

Trial courts have ________ jurisdiction over misdemeanor cases and preliminary matters in felony cases.

The geographic territory that defines a court's authority is called jurisdiction.

Which is not a responsibility performed by judges?

The amount of ________ is based mainly on the judge's view of the seriousness of the crime and of the defendant's record.

Most felony arrests are decided by a

The prosecution will use the pretrial time period to introduce motions for lack of evidence or violation of rights.

In a(n)___________ election, judges are openly endorsed by political parties.

Which statement is true regarding working as a judge?

The criterion for deciding whether evidence is strong enough to uphold an arrest is called

Brady has just been charged with murder in the first degree.  His previous record includes several drug charges and a sexual assault that is pending. Brady will not be released on bail.  His attorney believes the prosecutor and judge will agree to a 20-year sentence through a plea bargain, which will eliminate the chance of a life sentence. B rady will not be released on bail and will await his trial in jail.  His lawyer's request for bail was turned down because

Which is true about the bail system?

U.S. district courts exist

The fragmented structure of state courts is the biggest barrier to effective justice.

Most criminal cases are heard at the federal level.

A written order or summons, issued by a law enforcement, often directing an alleged offender to appear in court at a specified time to answer a criminal charge is called a

Describe the pretrial process in criminal cases.

Which types of cases are heard in federal courts?

A court-appointed special advocate is someone who

In many jurisdictions, judges are elected by the public. These elections are rarely publicized by the media. What does this imply for the election of judges? Is this a fair method for selecting judges in the United States?