Question 1

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?

Accepted Answer

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 
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 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.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

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.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

Plea bargains are not often used in Texas criminal trials.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 9

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 
E)  Race/ethnicity does not raise one's likelihood of being given the death penalty. 
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 10

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

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

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

Jurors determine a guilty verdict in criminal cases

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 15

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 16

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 
E)  $100,000; $100,000 
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 17

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?

Accepted Answer

The controversy tied to criminal cases,

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 20

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)  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. 
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.

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?

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.

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

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

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

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.

Plea bargains are not often used in Texas criminal trials.

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

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

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

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

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 ______.

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

Jurors determine a guilty verdict in criminal cases

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

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.

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?

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

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

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

The Political Culture, People, and Economy of Texas

Texas and the Nation

The Texas Constitution

Political Parties in Texas

Elections in Texas

Interest Groups and Lobbying

The Texas Legislature

The Texas Executive Branch

The Texas Judiciary

Public Finance in Texas

Public Policy in Texas

Local Government in Texas

Filters

Exam 10: Crime and Corrections Policy

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?

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.

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

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

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

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.

Plea bargains are not often used in Texas criminal trials.

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

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

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

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

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 ______.

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

Jurors determine a guilty verdict in criminal cases

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

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.

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?

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

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

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

The Political Culture, People, and Economy of Texas

Texas and the Nation

The Texas Constitution

Political Parties in Texas

Elections in Texas

Interest Groups and Lobbying

The Texas Legislature

The Texas Executive Branch

The Texas Judiciary

Public Finance in Texas

Public Policy in Texas

Local Government in Texas

Filters

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.

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.