POLS 207 EXAM 5 | 116 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% CORRECT |
NEW UPDATE 2025
Compare and contrast the following aspects of criminal and civil law: (some
information will be further along in the slides that others)
—Origin of cases
—Parties involved and their objectives
—Percent of cases that go to trial
—Location of trials
—Bases of decisions/outcomes - ANSWER origin of cases:
criminal - harmful to society as a whole (both misdemeanor and felony)
civil - legal disputes between "individuals" over unmet obligations or perceived
harms
parties involved and their objectives:
criminal - the state (as both the accuser and prosecutor)
civil - plaintiff files complaint or legal suit against defendant. objectives are
monetary damages, determination of rights, etc.
percent of cases that go to trial:
criminal - 10% (most cases end in plea bargain)
,civil - 90%
location of trials:
criminal - county courtrooms w/ county prosecutors and judges
civil - start in country/state courts. deal with question of fact and law
bases of decisions/outcomes:
criminal - "beyond a reasonable doubt"
civil - "preponderance of evidence"
Overview the prosecution process under criminal law. - ANSWER - arrest made
- charge(s) filed, arraignment hearing held
- evidence presented to grand jury, indictment returned
- trial process begins (multiple hearings, then trial)
*very lengthy*
Describe the similarities and differences between the two types of criminal
offenses in Texas. - ANSWER misdemeanors - less serious punishment: shorter
times in county jail, community service, and/or fine
felonies - more serious punishment: longer sentences in state prison or county
jail, community service, and/or fine
,Using the fallen-tree example, highlight the aspects of the civil trial process that
are unique from a criminal one. - ANSWER - "loser" must compensate "winner"
- hear from witnesses and present evidence
- can be totally or partially responsible
Discuss the case loads of both federal and state courts and explain the differences.
- ANSWER State courts handle issues under state law
- 99.9% of 22 million criminal cases in US annually
- 99.8% of 27 million civil cases nationwide annually
Federal courts handle issues under federal law
- very few cases compared to state courts
Describe the hierarchy of three main groups of state courts. - ANSWER trial
courts --> intermediate appellate court --> supreme court
Explain the types of questions considered in each of these levels. Provide
examples. Also explain the implications of a type of question NOT being
considered at a particular level. - ANSWER trial courts deal with:
- questions of fact
answered by jury if a jury trial, otherwise by judge
ex: where was the accused that night?
- questions of law
always answered by judge
ex: may the attorney ask that question?
, courts of appeal hear objections to lower court decisions
- appeals can only be based on questions of law
Describe or draw out the diagram that shows all of the types and subtypes of
courts in Texas. Include the flows of appeals from all of the lower courts. -
ANSWER justice courts or municipal courts
-->
county level courts
constitutional, statutory, or statutory probate courts
-->
district courts
-->
courts of appeals
-->
supreme court or court of criminal appeals
In general terms, differentiate between the roles and the jurisdictions of each of
these courts. (Use the lecture as your guide as to level I'm expecting.) -
ANSWER justice courts:
small claims courts (less than $10000), limited civil actions (misdemeanors)
municipal courts:
criminal misdemeanor by fine only
-->
county level courts
constitutional:
AND ANSWERS 100% CORRECT |
NEW UPDATE 2025
Compare and contrast the following aspects of criminal and civil law: (some
information will be further along in the slides that others)
—Origin of cases
—Parties involved and their objectives
—Percent of cases that go to trial
—Location of trials
—Bases of decisions/outcomes - ANSWER origin of cases:
criminal - harmful to society as a whole (both misdemeanor and felony)
civil - legal disputes between "individuals" over unmet obligations or perceived
harms
parties involved and their objectives:
criminal - the state (as both the accuser and prosecutor)
civil - plaintiff files complaint or legal suit against defendant. objectives are
monetary damages, determination of rights, etc.
percent of cases that go to trial:
criminal - 10% (most cases end in plea bargain)
,civil - 90%
location of trials:
criminal - county courtrooms w/ county prosecutors and judges
civil - start in country/state courts. deal with question of fact and law
bases of decisions/outcomes:
criminal - "beyond a reasonable doubt"
civil - "preponderance of evidence"
Overview the prosecution process under criminal law. - ANSWER - arrest made
- charge(s) filed, arraignment hearing held
- evidence presented to grand jury, indictment returned
- trial process begins (multiple hearings, then trial)
*very lengthy*
Describe the similarities and differences between the two types of criminal
offenses in Texas. - ANSWER misdemeanors - less serious punishment: shorter
times in county jail, community service, and/or fine
felonies - more serious punishment: longer sentences in state prison or county
jail, community service, and/or fine
,Using the fallen-tree example, highlight the aspects of the civil trial process that
are unique from a criminal one. - ANSWER - "loser" must compensate "winner"
- hear from witnesses and present evidence
- can be totally or partially responsible
Discuss the case loads of both federal and state courts and explain the differences.
- ANSWER State courts handle issues under state law
- 99.9% of 22 million criminal cases in US annually
- 99.8% of 27 million civil cases nationwide annually
Federal courts handle issues under federal law
- very few cases compared to state courts
Describe the hierarchy of three main groups of state courts. - ANSWER trial
courts --> intermediate appellate court --> supreme court
Explain the types of questions considered in each of these levels. Provide
examples. Also explain the implications of a type of question NOT being
considered at a particular level. - ANSWER trial courts deal with:
- questions of fact
answered by jury if a jury trial, otherwise by judge
ex: where was the accused that night?
- questions of law
always answered by judge
ex: may the attorney ask that question?
, courts of appeal hear objections to lower court decisions
- appeals can only be based on questions of law
Describe or draw out the diagram that shows all of the types and subtypes of
courts in Texas. Include the flows of appeals from all of the lower courts. -
ANSWER justice courts or municipal courts
-->
county level courts
constitutional, statutory, or statutory probate courts
-->
district courts
-->
courts of appeals
-->
supreme court or court of criminal appeals
In general terms, differentiate between the roles and the jurisdictions of each of
these courts. (Use the lecture as your guide as to level I'm expecting.) -
ANSWER justice courts:
small claims courts (less than $10000), limited civil actions (misdemeanors)
municipal courts:
criminal misdemeanor by fine only
-->
county level courts
constitutional:
