Question 1

The United States uses a(n) _______ legal system that involves two parties-the prosecution and the defense-presenting their cases before a judge and perhaps a jury.

Accepted Answer

The key clue in the question is the mention of two parties presenting their cases before a judge and possibly a jury. This is characteristic of an adversarial legal system, where the prosecution and defense argue their positions and attempt to persuade the judge or jury of their version of events. The other choices do not accurately fit the description of the US legal system.

Question 2

Which of the following is correct with regard to lay judges?

Accepted Answer

Lay judges are typically not lawyers but are ordinary citizens who are appointed or elected to serve on panels or juries for legal proceedings.

Question 3

The Missouri Bar Plan (or Missouri Plan) is most closely associated with which form of judicial selection?

Accepted Answer

The Missouri Bar Plan, also known as the merit selection plan, is a method of selecting judges that involves a non-partisan commission creating a shortlist of qualified candidates to be considered by the governor for appointment. This method aims to remove the influence of partisan politics and increase the qualifications and diversity of candidates for judicial positions.

Question 4

Which of the following is a state representative who provides a key link between the police and the courts and generally represents the state in criminal cases?

Accepted Answer

A prosecutor is a state representative who provides a key link between the police and the courts and generally represents the state in criminal cases. A lay judge is a non-professional judge in some legal systems, a paralegal is a legal assistant, and a defense attorney represents criminal defendants.

Question 5

Who are the primary litigators for the federal government?

Accepted Answer

U.S. attorneys are the primary litigators for the federal government. They are responsible for representing the United States in all civil and criminal cases where the federal government is a party. State legislators, state senators, and U.S. paralegals do not hold this responsibility.

Question 6

The _______ approach refers to the way that prosecutors' offices consider their caseloads and resources for prosecution with regard to their decision to prosecute; offices with high caseloads are more likely to screen out cases for diversion.

Accepted Answer

The term "system efficiency" refers to the way that prosecutors' offices consider their caseloads and resources for prosecution with regard to their decision to prosecute. This approach may involve screening out cases for diversion in order to focus resources on cases with a higher likelihood of success in court. The other answer choices (legal sufficiency, trial sufficiency, and defendant rehabilitation) do not specifically relate to this approach.

Question 7

What groups of people do not work in the courts yet contribute to courtroom proceedings?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What groups of people do not work...

Question 8

The Office of the Solicitor General represents the U.S. government before the U.S. Supreme Court in federal appeals.

Accepted Answer

The Office of the Solicitor General is responsible for representing the U.S. government before the U.S. Supreme Court in federal appeals.

Question 9

Most individuals who enter the criminal justice system hire their own defense representation.

Accepted Answer

According to research and statistics, a majority of individuals who enter the criminal justice system cannot afford to hire their own defense representation and are therefore provided with a court-appointed attorney.

Question 10

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the "objective standard of reasonableness" is the criteria to be used for assessing the quality of indigent representation.

Accepted Answer

This is the holding in the landmark case of Strickland v. Washington (1984).

Question 11

Assigned counsel systems represent the largest percentage of indigent defendants.

Accepted Answer

Public defender systems, rather than assigned counsel systems, typically represent the largest percentage of indigent defendants in the United States.

Question 12

The Sixth Amendment provides defendants the right to a trial by jury, although states have the right to decide the size of the juries in criminal trials.

Accepted Answer

The Sixth Amendment does provide defendants with the right to a trial by jury, and states do have some discretion in deciding the size of the jury, as long as it is not smaller than 6 people.

Question 13

Serving on a jury is a civic duty, which means it is a responsibility of citizens to their government.

Accepted Answer

Serving on a jury is a legal obligation and responsibility of citizens to their government to ensure that justice is served fairly and impartially.

Question 14

Courts may issue a subpoena duces tecum, which is essentially an arrest warrant for those who do not appear for jury duty.

Accepted Answer

A subpoena duces tecum is a court order requiring a person to produce specific documents or evidence, not an arrest warrant for those who do not appear for jury duty. Failure to comply with a subpoena can result in a contempt of court charge, but it is not the same as failing to appear for jury duty.

Question 15

How and why are indigent defendants represented in court?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How and why are indigent defendants represented...

Quiz 22: Courtroom Personnel