COURTS SYSTEMS EXAM 1
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
describe how the courts are related to the other components of the criminal justice
system. - Correct Answers -law enforcement, courts, and corrections are separate sets
of organizations, but they are also interdependent. the courts process case after
suspects are arrested, and corrections handles defendants who are found guilt by the
courts.
discuss the major types of courts found in the United States. - Correct Answers -in the
US, separate systems of federal courts and state courts exist. within each system one
or two levels of trial courts and one or two levels of appellate courts hear cases
identify the most important actors in the courthouse. - Correct Answers -judges,
prosecutors, and defense attorneys are the most important actors in the courthouse.
defendants and victims are also important because they are the source of cases for the
courts.
list the steps in a typical felony prosecution - Correct Answers -it begins with an arrest,
followed by an initial appearance, the setting of bail and either grand jury proceedings or
preliminary hearing. if a case survives these hurdles, it proceeds to a formal
arraignment, after which decisions about evidence discovery, pretrial motions, and plea
negotiations may occur. cases that are not resolved by plea bargain go to trial. those
convicted at trial are then sentenced and have a right to file an appeal.
identify some of the most important legal defenses in American Law - Correct Answers -
alibi, necessity, mistake of fact, self-defense, procedural defenses, infancy, and
insanity.
discuss the effects of the criminal law on courts. - Correct Answers -how the law defines
crime affects the administration of justice in the courts several important ways, including
the need to reconcile inconsistencies in the criminal law, providing the basis for plea
bargaining, and the harshness of sentences.
define the 4 primary types of jurisdiction: geographical, subject matter, personal, and
hierarchical - Correct Answers -- geographical jurisdiction limits the power of courts to
adjudicate disputes arising within certain geographic boundaries.
- subject matter jurisdiction concerns the types of cases a court may hear and decide.
- personal jurisdiction refers to a court's power over a specific person or legal entity
(such as a partnership or corporation).
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
describe how the courts are related to the other components of the criminal justice
system. - Correct Answers -law enforcement, courts, and corrections are separate sets
of organizations, but they are also interdependent. the courts process case after
suspects are arrested, and corrections handles defendants who are found guilt by the
courts.
discuss the major types of courts found in the United States. - Correct Answers -in the
US, separate systems of federal courts and state courts exist. within each system one
or two levels of trial courts and one or two levels of appellate courts hear cases
identify the most important actors in the courthouse. - Correct Answers -judges,
prosecutors, and defense attorneys are the most important actors in the courthouse.
defendants and victims are also important because they are the source of cases for the
courts.
list the steps in a typical felony prosecution - Correct Answers -it begins with an arrest,
followed by an initial appearance, the setting of bail and either grand jury proceedings or
preliminary hearing. if a case survives these hurdles, it proceeds to a formal
arraignment, after which decisions about evidence discovery, pretrial motions, and plea
negotiations may occur. cases that are not resolved by plea bargain go to trial. those
convicted at trial are then sentenced and have a right to file an appeal.
identify some of the most important legal defenses in American Law - Correct Answers -
alibi, necessity, mistake of fact, self-defense, procedural defenses, infancy, and
insanity.
discuss the effects of the criminal law on courts. - Correct Answers -how the law defines
crime affects the administration of justice in the courts several important ways, including
the need to reconcile inconsistencies in the criminal law, providing the basis for plea
bargaining, and the harshness of sentences.
define the 4 primary types of jurisdiction: geographical, subject matter, personal, and
hierarchical - Correct Answers -- geographical jurisdiction limits the power of courts to
adjudicate disputes arising within certain geographic boundaries.
- subject matter jurisdiction concerns the types of cases a court may hear and decide.
- personal jurisdiction refers to a court's power over a specific person or legal entity
(such as a partnership or corporation).
