COURT SYSTEMS AND PRACTICES
EXAM 2
assembly line justice - Correct Answers -The operation of any segment of the criminal
justice system with such speed and impersonality that defendants are treated as objects
to be processed rather than as individuals.
clerk of court - Correct Answers -An elected or appointed court officer responsible for
maintaining the written records of the court and for supervising or performing the clerical
tasks necessary to conduct judicial business.
courtroom work group - Correct Answers -The regular participants in the day-to-day
activities of a particular courtroom; judge, prosecutor, and defense attorney interacting
on the basis of shared norms.
delay - Correct Answers -abnormal or unacceptable time lapses in the processing of
cases
discretion - Correct Answers -the authority to make decisions without reference to
specific rules or facts, using instead one's own judgement; allows for individualization
and informality in the administration of justice
legal ethics - Correct Answers -Code of conduct for people in the profession of law.
normal crime - Correct Answers -Categorization of crime based on the typical manner in
which it is committed, the type of defendant who typically commits it, and the typical
penalty to be applied.
routine administration - Correct Answers -a matter that presents the court with no
disputes over law or fact
Socialization - Correct Answers -the process by which newcomers are taught the formal
requirements of the job and informal rules of behavior
speedy trial laws - Correct Answers -Federal or state statutes that specify time limits for
bringing a case to trial after arrest.
Judicial Elections - Correct Answers -method of judicial selection in which the voters
choose judicial candidates in a partisan or nonpartisan election
, judicial independence - Correct Answers -normative value that stresses a judge should
be free from outside pressure in making a decision
judicial performance evaluation - Correct Answers -Questionnaires about judges,
completed by an array of different respondents, designed to provide feedback to judges
to improve their own performances and to provide the public with information about the
judge
Absolute Immunity - Correct Answers -Complete immunity from civil lawsuits. In the
case of prosecutors, absolute immunity shields them from all civil liability for actions
taken in connection with the traditional role of courtroom advocacy on behalf of the
government.
focal concerns theory - Correct Answers -Sentencing decision are shaped by three
primary focal concerns: blameworthiness, protection of the community, and the practical
constraints and consequences of the sentencing decision
local prosecutor - Correct Answers -General term for lawyers who represent local
governments (cities and counties, for example) in the lower courts; often called "city
attorneys" or "solicitors."
officer of the court - Correct Answers -Lawyers are officers of the court and, as such,
must obey court rules, be truthful in court, and generally serve the needs of justice.
prosecutor - Correct Answers -a public official as part of the executive branch, who
represents the government in a criminal action and who enjoys broad discretion to
initiate, conduct, and terminate prosecutions.
Qualified Immunity - Correct Answers -Shields prosecutors from civil liability for acts
beyond those associated with courtroom advocacy, but still within the scope of their
professional duties, but only if they are acting in good faith that they are not violating
any law or ethical rule of which a reasonable person in his or position would be aware.
state attorney general - Correct Answers -chief legal officer of a state, responsible for
both civil and criminal matters
US Attorney General - Correct Answers -Head of the Department of Justice; nominated
by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
US attorney - Correct Answers -officials responsible for the prosecution of crimes that
violate the laws of the US; appointed by the president and assigned to a US district
court jurisdiction
US Solicitor General - Correct Answers -Third-ranking official in the U.S. Department of
Justice; conducts and supervises government litigation before the Supreme Court.
EXAM 2
assembly line justice - Correct Answers -The operation of any segment of the criminal
justice system with such speed and impersonality that defendants are treated as objects
to be processed rather than as individuals.
clerk of court - Correct Answers -An elected or appointed court officer responsible for
maintaining the written records of the court and for supervising or performing the clerical
tasks necessary to conduct judicial business.
courtroom work group - Correct Answers -The regular participants in the day-to-day
activities of a particular courtroom; judge, prosecutor, and defense attorney interacting
on the basis of shared norms.
delay - Correct Answers -abnormal or unacceptable time lapses in the processing of
cases
discretion - Correct Answers -the authority to make decisions without reference to
specific rules or facts, using instead one's own judgement; allows for individualization
and informality in the administration of justice
legal ethics - Correct Answers -Code of conduct for people in the profession of law.
normal crime - Correct Answers -Categorization of crime based on the typical manner in
which it is committed, the type of defendant who typically commits it, and the typical
penalty to be applied.
routine administration - Correct Answers -a matter that presents the court with no
disputes over law or fact
Socialization - Correct Answers -the process by which newcomers are taught the formal
requirements of the job and informal rules of behavior
speedy trial laws - Correct Answers -Federal or state statutes that specify time limits for
bringing a case to trial after arrest.
Judicial Elections - Correct Answers -method of judicial selection in which the voters
choose judicial candidates in a partisan or nonpartisan election
, judicial independence - Correct Answers -normative value that stresses a judge should
be free from outside pressure in making a decision
judicial performance evaluation - Correct Answers -Questionnaires about judges,
completed by an array of different respondents, designed to provide feedback to judges
to improve their own performances and to provide the public with information about the
judge
Absolute Immunity - Correct Answers -Complete immunity from civil lawsuits. In the
case of prosecutors, absolute immunity shields them from all civil liability for actions
taken in connection with the traditional role of courtroom advocacy on behalf of the
government.
focal concerns theory - Correct Answers -Sentencing decision are shaped by three
primary focal concerns: blameworthiness, protection of the community, and the practical
constraints and consequences of the sentencing decision
local prosecutor - Correct Answers -General term for lawyers who represent local
governments (cities and counties, for example) in the lower courts; often called "city
attorneys" or "solicitors."
officer of the court - Correct Answers -Lawyers are officers of the court and, as such,
must obey court rules, be truthful in court, and generally serve the needs of justice.
prosecutor - Correct Answers -a public official as part of the executive branch, who
represents the government in a criminal action and who enjoys broad discretion to
initiate, conduct, and terminate prosecutions.
Qualified Immunity - Correct Answers -Shields prosecutors from civil liability for acts
beyond those associated with courtroom advocacy, but still within the scope of their
professional duties, but only if they are acting in good faith that they are not violating
any law or ethical rule of which a reasonable person in his or position would be aware.
state attorney general - Correct Answers -chief legal officer of a state, responsible for
both civil and criminal matters
US Attorney General - Correct Answers -Head of the Department of Justice; nominated
by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
US attorney - Correct Answers -officials responsible for the prosecution of crimes that
violate the laws of the US; appointed by the president and assigned to a US district
court jurisdiction
US Solicitor General - Correct Answers -Third-ranking official in the U.S. Department of
Justice; conducts and supervises government litigation before the Supreme Court.
