TX GOV Ch. 13

A grand jury consists of how many individuals to possibly hear a case? 15-20 20-30 10-15 12

What are plea bargains used to do? negotiate whether a dispute goes to a criminal court or a civil court clear a crowded district court docket by negotiating guilty pleas in criminal cases appeal a decision of the Texas Supreme Court to the U.S. Supreme Court appeal convictions in municipal court to district court

In a situation in which the defendant may have committed his or her first offense, the judge is more likely to issue a punishment of incarceration. community service. probation. temporary jail time.

In the state of Texas, what is the policy for felons' right to vote? Felons are allowed to vote upon full discharge of their sentences. Felons are allowed to vote only upon governor approval. Felons are allowed to vote only if their convictions involved crimes lesser than third-degree felonies. Felons are allowed to vote upon full discharge of their sentences and completed community service.

Inmates at state jails served on average ________ percent of their sentences before being released. 59.6 61.1 75.8 99.4

The ________ usually provides legal advice to the county commissioners. county judge attorney general county attorney district attorney

Which of the following is NOT a reason that an individual can be given the death penalty in Texas? murder of a child under the age of 12 murder during the commission of an aggravated rape murder for hire murder of a public safety officer, fireman, or correctional employee

The scandals and abuses of the Texas prison system led to the creation of a Blue Ribbon Committee on Prison Reform. Joint Committee on Prison Reform. general prison manager position. state prison board.

In the 1972 case of Ruiz v. Estelle, the U.S. federal court determined that inmates' constitutionally guaranteed rights had been violated in Texas prisons. inmates' treatment was to match the crimes they had committed, taking on a policy of "eye for an eye." inmates' case, based on crowding, security, supervision, and health care, had no basis and was thrown out of court. inmates' treatment was ethical and appropriate based on the sentences.

Regarding the rules of community supervision (probation) requirements, what are the results of compliance versus violation? A criminal in compliance will likely receive monetary compensation for his or her time, while a criminal in violation may be sent to jail for the remainder of his or her sentence. A criminal in compliance will likely receive an early release of up to one-third the term, while a criminal in violation may be sent to jail for the remainder of his or her sentence. A criminal in compliance will likely have his or her record expunged, while a criminal in violation will likely be given a harsher sentence in the future. A criminal in compliance will likely receive an early release of up to two-thirds the term, while a criminal in violation may be sent to jail for the remainder of his or her sentence, with an additional amount of time added to his or her initial sentencing.

People serving time for capital crimes are eligible for parole. True False

Over 90 percent of Texas prisoners are male, and the average age of prisoners is only 25. 30. 18. 38.

________ are less serious crimes. Juvenile crimes Felonies Aggravated assaults Misdemeanors

The most serious felony is ________, for which the penalty can be death or life imprisonment without parole. aggravated sexual assault capital murder aggravated kidnapping aggravated assault

What is the process for granting clemency in Texas? The governor must follow the recommendations of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. There is no procedure for clemency in Texas. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles makes a unilateral collective decision. The governor has complete control of whether to grant clemency.

In Texas, felony juries are composed of ________ people and misdemeanor juries are composed of ________. 9; 6 6; 3 12; 5 12; 6

A serious criminal offense that subjects a person to state prison punishment is a(n) petty crime. misdemeanor. felony. indictment.

Misdemeanor crimes can only result in a fine of up to $4,000 and a sentence of over one year in jail. True False

The governor of Texas is unable to grant clemency to death-row inmates without the recommendation of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. True False

What percentage of Texas prison inmates have been convicted of drug offenses? 14 percent 6 percent 15 percent 28 percent

The most prison-prone group in society is between the ages of 18 and 25. 20 and 29. 15 and 25. 18 and 25.

What is one of the biggest issues in regard to perpetuating criminal activities in Texas? The requirements placed on offenders are not difficult enough and can result in a lack of respect for the system. The structure of the criminal system allows for too many appeals and therefore encourages offenders to violate requirements. The requirements placed on offenders are so difficult to comply with that offenders will likely disregard the requirements and hope to not get caught. The requirements placed on offenders allow for excessive interaction with fellow criminals, continuing the cycle of negative contacts.

A misdemeanor has a fine of $50,000 or less and the sentence is up to one year in county jail. $10,000 or less and the sentence is up to one year in county jail. $4,000 or less and the sentence is up to one year in county jail. $20,000 or less and the sentence is up to one year in county jail.

All of the following reasons listed make adjustment to life outside prison an extremely difficult experience EXCEPT length of time in prison. lack of employment. a lack of economic incentive to hire parolees. family members either moved on or died.

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles makes recommendations about probation. clemency and parole. juvenile prisons. federal prison sentences.

According to the news segment, Alfred Dwayne Brown hopes to find employment now that he has been released. However, it is difficult for felons to get legitimate employment because they tend to lack the qualifications that today's employers need. so much so that the federal government offers a large tax credit to their employers. so much so that the state of Texas pays for half of their salary for the first two years to help decrease recidivism. because they tend to prefer to revert to their prior criminal activities.

In Texas, being convicted of murder is not sufficient to get a person on death row. The crime in question must have an additional aggravating circumstance. Alfred Dwayne Brown was on death row because he was convicted for the murder of a public safety officer. he was convicted of murdering a child. he was convicted of murder for hire. he was convicted of murder during the commission of a kidnapping.

Many people have been released from death row, nationally and in Texas, due to abuses that were discovered in the criminal justice system. Alfred Dwayne Brown was released when the district attorney dismissed capital murder charges against him. His conviction was vacated because there were problems with police procedures. of prosecutorial abuse during his trial. of the negligence of his defense attorney, who failed to seek phone records that may have helped his case. there were problems with how the police treated evidence.

Since police officers and prosecutors have been trying but have been unable to rebuild the case against Alfred Dwayne Brown for months, it is likely that he will be retried for the crime, but it will take a long time for it to happen. it is unlikely that he will be retried for the crime. it is likely that he will be retried for the crime by a different prosecutor. it is likely that the crime lab will find convincing DNA evidence to help the prosecution.