Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

In order to use testimony from a jailhouse informant, prosecutors will now have to

Accepted Answer

A)  independently verify all informant testimony with at least two other witnesses. 
B)  share with the defense attorneys the criminal history of the jailhouse informant and anything offered to the informant in return for his or her testimony. 
C)  use aliases in all documents to protect the privacy of the informant. 
D)  There are no restrictions on using testimony from a jailhouse informant.

Question 3

What are plea bargains used to do?

Accepted Answer

A)  appeal convictions in municipal court to a 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 4

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles makes recommendations about

Accepted Answer

A)  federal prison sentences. 
B)  juvenile prisons. 
C)  probation. 
D)  clemency and parole.

Question 5

Today, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the prison system. Who runs this agency?

Accepted Answer

A)  a nine-member board that is appointed by the sheriffs of the largest counties (by population) 
B)  a nine-member board that is elected in state-wide at-large elections 
C)  a nine-member board that is appointed by the governor 
D)  a nine-member board that is appointed by members of the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Question 6

The prison population reached its highest level in which year?

Accepted Answer

A)  1980 
B)  1990 
C)  2000 
D)  2016

Question 7

The most important actor in the Texas criminal justice system is the Federal Government.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

In Texas, the legal standard of proof "beyond a reasonable doubt" is used in which type(s) of cases?

Accepted Answer

A)  felony 
B)  misdemeanor 
C)  civil 
D)  both felony and misdemeanor cases

Question 9

Grand juries decide the guilt or innocence of the accused.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

When thinking about the total number of people in state prisons across the United States, which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Texas has an average number of people incarcerated in its state prisons. 
B)  About half of the people incarcerated in Texas state prisons are actually sent to Texas from neighboring states, such as Louisiana and Oklahoma. 
C)  Texas has fewer people incarcerated in its state prisons than any other state. 
D)  Texas has more people incarcerated in its state prisons than any other state.

Question 11

Regarding 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 of 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 of 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.

Question 12

Why would a judge direct an offender to be housed at the Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facilities (SAFPF)?

Accepted Answer

A)  The offender has substance abuse problems that need to be treated, and treatment options are not always available in other prison facilities. 
B)  It is cheaper to house offenders at specialized centers like SAFPF rather than in general population prisons. 
C)  The SAFPF location is closer to the offender's family, thereby increasing the likelihood that he or she will have a successful recovery from substance abuse. 
D)  The prosecuting district attorney has recommended this option.

Question 13

The Sandra Bland Act requires which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  Officers must obtain written consent to search a vehicle. 
B)  Jail deaths must be investigated by an independent agency. 
C)  Individuals may not be jailed at any point if the maximum punishment for the suspected offense is a fine. 
D)  Mandatory investigation of all officer-involved shootings by a specialized organization.

Question 14

If you were wrongfully convicted and exonerated, the Timothy Cole Act requires that the state pays you __________________ per year you wrongfully spent in prison.

Accepted Answer

A)  $50,000 
B)  $100,000 
C)  $80,000 
D)  $25,000

Question 15

Scientific advances in DNA technology have helped exonerate many people who were wrongfully convicted.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

If a person cannot provide bail on his or her own or cannot pay a bondsman, the accused can possibly be released

Accepted Answer

A)  on 10 percent of bail amount. 
B)  on personal recognizance. 
C)  on collateral. 
D)  by a cosigner.

Question 17

After you are arrested and taken to jail, you must appear before a judge and be told what charges you are being accused of and reminded of your right to an attorney and right to remain silent. What is this process called?

Accepted Answer

A)  arraignment 
B)  pre-trial hearing 
C)  grand jury indictment 
D)  plea bargain

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

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 deferring to the judge's decision.

Question 20

People serving time for capital crimes are eligible for parole.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 13: Crime and Corrections Policy

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

In order to use testimony from a jailhouse informant, prosecutors will now have to

What are plea bargains used to do?

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles makes recommendations about

Today, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the prison system. Who runs this agency?

The prison population reached its highest level in which year?

The most important actor in the Texas criminal justice system is the Federal Government.

In Texas, the legal standard of proof "beyond a reasonable doubt" is used in which type(s) of cases?

Grand juries decide the guilt or innocence of the accused.

When thinking about the total number of people in state prisons across the United States, which of the following is true?

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

Why would a judge direct an offender to be housed at the Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facilities (SAFPF) ?

The Sandra Bland Act requires which of the following?

If you were wrongfully convicted and exonerated, the Timothy Cole Act requires that the state pays you __________________ per year you wrongfully spent in prison.

Scientific advances in DNA technology have helped exonerate many people who were wrongfully convicted.

If a person cannot provide bail on his or her own or cannot pay a bondsman, the accused can possibly be released

After you are arrested and taken to jail, you must appear before a judge and be told what charges you are being accused of and reminded of your right to an attorney and right to remain silent. What is this process called?

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

Jurors determine a guilty verdict in criminal cases

People serving time for capital crimes are eligible for parole.