Criminal Courts (U.S.) Quiz # 3

Prosecutors have a great deal of discretion.

True

False

Even though the jobs are filled using different methods, U.S. Attorneys and Assistant U.S. Attorneys carry out essentially the same tasks on a day-to-day basis.

True

False

Large prosecutors’ offices maintain a bureaucratic organizational structure.

True

False

Prosecutors often advise police on the legality of various aspects of the investigations process.

True

False

Under a vertical model of prosecution, assistant prosecutors are assigned to units that handle specific steps or functions in the judicial process that are routine in nature and involve limited discretion.

True

False

Though the prosecution does have some discretion in the plea bargain process, a judge can force a defendant to take a plea bargain that the judge deems “reasonable.”

True

False

Prosecutors are required to disclose all of their evidence to the defense before trial.

True

False

Prosecuting attorneys’ offices are responsible for a number of duties relating to child welfare.

True

False

Individuality in a courtroom is a highly desired trait.

True

False

The primary purpose of the prosecutor in trial is to seek a conviction.

True

False

State systems of prosecution are extremely ______.

Decentralized

Centralized

Simple

Complex

Specialization and bureaucracy are characteristic of what type of prosecutors’ office?

Small

Medium

Large

Rural

Which of the following is NOT one of the models of prosecution discussed in the textbook?

Vertical

Combined

Horizontal

Mixed

What is the primary role of the prosecutor’s office?

Work with law enforcement in developing cooperating witnesses

Make sentencing recommendations

Oversee the adjudication of criminal matters

Help prepare arrest and search warrants

Why are sexual assaults rarely prosecuted?

Generally no witnesses

Conflicting accounts of what occurred between the victim and accused

Little physical evidence showing compulsion

All of these

Criminal defense attorneys have the same responsibilities to seek justice as do prosecutors.

True

False

The right to defense counsel applies only to defendants charged with felonies.

True

False

The use of fixed-price contracts has been condemned by the American Bar Association.

True

False

Private attorneys hired by a defendant spend more time, on average, with the defendant than a court-assigned attorney.

True

False

Courts typically require pro se defendants to use standby counsel as an advisor.

True

False

Tactical decisions are made by defendants.

True

False

Most challenges of counsel effectiveness have been successful due to the counsel being so very poor.

True

False

The right to counsel continues even after a defendant’s conviction.

True

False

Typically, prosecutors and public defenders are paid about the same, based on experience and jurisdiction.

True

False

The two-pronged test to assess for counsel ineffectiveness is known as the ______.

Strickland Test

Powell Test

Effectiveness test

Ineffectiveness test

Defendants make all of the following decisions, except ______.

Whether to plead guilty

Whether to accept a plea agreement

Whether to testify

Whether to participate in a lineup

In which court case did the Supreme Court did the U.S. Supreme Court address for the first time whether criminal defendants had a right to have an attorney provided to them at state expense?

Gideon v. Wainwright

Powell v. Alabama

Johnson v. Zerbst

Argersinger v. Hamlin

Once the right to counsel has attached, a defendant has the right to an attorney at what stage(s) in the court process?

All critical stages

Only courtroom processes

Most critical stages

All stages

Which of the following is a type of contract attorney program?

Coordinated

Ad hoc

Fixed-price

Private

Judges typically have no interest in seeing plea bargains struck one way or the other.

True

False