CRJ 203 Exam1 Questions and Correct
Answers
Describe how the courts are related to the other components of the criminal justice system. - Answer-
Law enforcement, courts, and corrections are separate sets of organizations, but they are also
interdependent. The courts process cases after suspects are arrested, and corrections handles
defendants who are found guilty by the courts.
Discuss the major types of courts found in the United States. - Answer-In the United States, separate
systems of federal courts and state courts exist. Within each system one or two levels of trail courts and
one or two levels of appellate courts hear cases.
Identify the most important actors in the courthouse. - Answer-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 - Answer-Begins with an arrest, followed by an initial
appearance, the setting of bail, and either grand jury proceedings or a preliminary hearing. If a case
survives this, 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 trail are then sentenced and have the right to file an appeal.
List the four key elements defining law. - Answer-Law is defined as:
, (1) a body of rules
(2) enacted by public officers
(3) in a legitimate manner
(4) backed by the force of the state.
Identify the three key characteristics of common law. - Answer-The three key characteristics of the
common law are:
(1) judge-made law
(2) precedent
(3) multiple sources of law
Explain the importance of the adversary system. - Answer-The adversary system seeks to protect
individual rights by diffusing governmental power in several actors and insisting that the defendant is
presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Name the four amendments of the Bill of Rights that deal specifically with criminal procedure. - Answer-
Of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th deal specifically with
criminal procedure.
Identify the major elements of a crime. - Answer-1: an actus reus (a guilty act) is committed
2: with accompanying mens rea (criminal content)
3: the guilty act and the criminal intent are related.
4: attendant circumstances
5: specific results.
Identify some of the most important legal defenses in American law. - Answer-alibi, necessity, mistake
of fact, self-defense, procedural defenses, infancy, and insanity.
Answers
Describe how the courts are related to the other components of the criminal justice system. - Answer-
Law enforcement, courts, and corrections are separate sets of organizations, but they are also
interdependent. The courts process cases after suspects are arrested, and corrections handles
defendants who are found guilty by the courts.
Discuss the major types of courts found in the United States. - Answer-In the United States, separate
systems of federal courts and state courts exist. Within each system one or two levels of trail courts and
one or two levels of appellate courts hear cases.
Identify the most important actors in the courthouse. - Answer-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 - Answer-Begins with an arrest, followed by an initial
appearance, the setting of bail, and either grand jury proceedings or a preliminary hearing. If a case
survives this, 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 trail are then sentenced and have the right to file an appeal.
List the four key elements defining law. - Answer-Law is defined as:
, (1) a body of rules
(2) enacted by public officers
(3) in a legitimate manner
(4) backed by the force of the state.
Identify the three key characteristics of common law. - Answer-The three key characteristics of the
common law are:
(1) judge-made law
(2) precedent
(3) multiple sources of law
Explain the importance of the adversary system. - Answer-The adversary system seeks to protect
individual rights by diffusing governmental power in several actors and insisting that the defendant is
presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Name the four amendments of the Bill of Rights that deal specifically with criminal procedure. - Answer-
Of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th deal specifically with
criminal procedure.
Identify the major elements of a crime. - Answer-1: an actus reus (a guilty act) is committed
2: with accompanying mens rea (criminal content)
3: the guilty act and the criminal intent are related.
4: attendant circumstances
5: specific results.
Identify some of the most important legal defenses in American law. - Answer-alibi, necessity, mistake
of fact, self-defense, procedural defenses, infancy, and insanity.
