WRIGHTSMANS PSYCHOLOGY AND THE
LEGAL SYSTEM 9TH EDITION GREENE
ACTUAL EXAM TEST PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
⩥ Are prior criminal records generally admissible in a criminal trial?
Answer: Evidence about a defendant's character is generally not
admissible on the issue of whether the defendant committed a crime.
There are exceptions, however. Character evidence can be used to
provide evidence on guilt when it is relevant to the defendant, the
alleged victim, or a witness.
⩥ What is the impact of positive character evidence in a criminal trial?
What is the impact of negative character evidence? Answer: Although
positive character evidence has little impact on juror's judgements,
evidence about negative character traits increases the likelihood of a
conviction.
⩥ Is propensity evidence typically admitted at trial? What is the single
exception? Answer: Propensity evidence (evidence of other crimes or
wrongdoing) is also typically inadmissible because of its potential for
prejudice. However, sex crimes are treated differently. In 1994, Congress
passed a law making evidence of other sex offenses admissible to show
a defendant's propensity to commit the charged sex offense.
, ⩥ Why was the death penalty temporarily halted in 1972, and what was
the name of the USSC case? Answer: In 1972 the US Supreme Court
abolished the death penalty on the grounds that it constituted "cruel and
unusual punishment" (Furman v. Georgia, 1972).
⩥ Describe the changes states made to their death penalty statute in the
wake of Furman v. Georgia. Answer: After the Furman case, state
legislatures revised their death penalty laws to address the Court's
concern that capital punishment was being applied in an arbitrary and
discriminatory fashion as a consequence of the "unbridled discretion" in
sentencing given to juries.
⩥ aggravating factors Answer: elements of the crime, such as killing in
an especially heinous or brutal manner, that make the defendant more
likely to receive a death sentence.
⩥ Mitigating factors Answer: elements of the defendant's background or
the crime, such as experiencing mental illness or acting under duress at
the time of the offense, that make life imprisonment the more
appropriate verdict.
⩥ How many aggravating factors must be found by the jury for the
defendant to be eligible for death? Answer: At least one aggravating
factor must be found in order for the defendant to be eligible for death.
LEGAL SYSTEM 9TH EDITION GREENE
ACTUAL EXAM TEST PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
⩥ Are prior criminal records generally admissible in a criminal trial?
Answer: Evidence about a defendant's character is generally not
admissible on the issue of whether the defendant committed a crime.
There are exceptions, however. Character evidence can be used to
provide evidence on guilt when it is relevant to the defendant, the
alleged victim, or a witness.
⩥ What is the impact of positive character evidence in a criminal trial?
What is the impact of negative character evidence? Answer: Although
positive character evidence has little impact on juror's judgements,
evidence about negative character traits increases the likelihood of a
conviction.
⩥ Is propensity evidence typically admitted at trial? What is the single
exception? Answer: Propensity evidence (evidence of other crimes or
wrongdoing) is also typically inadmissible because of its potential for
prejudice. However, sex crimes are treated differently. In 1994, Congress
passed a law making evidence of other sex offenses admissible to show
a defendant's propensity to commit the charged sex offense.
, ⩥ Why was the death penalty temporarily halted in 1972, and what was
the name of the USSC case? Answer: In 1972 the US Supreme Court
abolished the death penalty on the grounds that it constituted "cruel and
unusual punishment" (Furman v. Georgia, 1972).
⩥ Describe the changes states made to their death penalty statute in the
wake of Furman v. Georgia. Answer: After the Furman case, state
legislatures revised their death penalty laws to address the Court's
concern that capital punishment was being applied in an arbitrary and
discriminatory fashion as a consequence of the "unbridled discretion" in
sentencing given to juries.
⩥ aggravating factors Answer: elements of the crime, such as killing in
an especially heinous or brutal manner, that make the defendant more
likely to receive a death sentence.
⩥ Mitigating factors Answer: elements of the defendant's background or
the crime, such as experiencing mental illness or acting under duress at
the time of the offense, that make life imprisonment the more
appropriate verdict.
⩥ How many aggravating factors must be found by the jury for the
defendant to be eligible for death? Answer: At least one aggravating
factor must be found in order for the defendant to be eligible for death.
