Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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 
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 2

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

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 3

Which of the following best describes capital punishment in Texas?

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 4

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 9

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

Accepted Answer

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 
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 10

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

Accepted Answer

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. 
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.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 12

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

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 13

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

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 
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 15

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

The answer of Explain and discuss Texas's correctional system. What...

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 17

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

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. 
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 20

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

Accepted Answer

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. 
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.

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

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

Which of the following best describes capital punishment in Texas?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Which of the following best describes capital punishment in Texas?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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