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texas govt > Ch 8-12 > Flashcards

Ch 8-12 Flashcards

1
Q

How was history shaped Texas’s criminal Justice system?

A

The Texas criminal justice system has been historically violent and strict, especially against people of color.

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2
Q

According to public opinion polls, which of the following explains the racial difference in poilce favorability?

A

Policy favorability among African Amercians is much lower than it is among white and latino respondants.

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3
Q

What conclusions can be drawn from the public opinion poll on improving police-community relations?

A

More Hispanic and Black respondents support increased funding for police training than white respondents.

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4
Q

Which Racial group is most overrepresented in the Texas inmate population?

A

Black Texans

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5
Q

During which phase of the criminal justice process would the municipal police most likely be involved?

A

Entrance to the system.

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6
Q

What does the corrections component of the justice system encompass?

A

the system of incarceration and parole

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7
Q

Texans are MOST likely to come in contact with which kind of law enforcement agent?

A

municipal police

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8
Q

Which of the following is part of the primary duties of the Texas Rangers?

A

investigating murder and sexual assault cases.

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9
Q

What is included in the basic rights of the accused?

A

The right to a speedy public trial by an impartial jury

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10
Q

When is an indictment issued?

A

after the prosecuting attorney’s formal written accusation has been presented to and accepted by a grand jury.

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11
Q

What types of crime do NOT require a grand jury indictment?

A

misdemeanors

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12
Q

What is one major critique of the practice of plea bargaining?

A

It causes the justice system to fall short of guaranteeing all citizens the right to a fair and impartial trial.

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13
Q

What is the main difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?

A

A misdemeanor is a relatively minor, nonviolent crime, whereas a felony is deemed to pose a more serious threat to society.

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14
Q

Being convicted of theft of a $150,000 Ferrari would result in what maximum punishment?

A

2-20 years in prison and a $10k fine.

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15
Q

The practice of punishing repeat offenders more harshly than first-time offenders is known as what?

A

enhanced punishment

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16
Q

What does the TDCJ operate besides state prisons?

A

the parole supervision system.

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17
Q

What is the purpose of Substance Abuse Felony Punishment Facilities

A

to provide rehabilitative drug treatment for qualified offenders

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18
Q

Which of the following is TRUE of the texas prison system?

A

The incarcerated population in Texas has often been subjected to inhumane treatments and conditions

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19
Q

What did the judge in the multi-year lawsuit say about the air-conditioning in Texas prisons?

A

That it was equal to cruel and unusual punishment.

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20
Q

Which of the following convictions would arrant the death penalty in Texas

A

Capital felony

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21
Q

What happens after a defendant is found guilty of a capital felony in a case where the death penalty is sought?

A

The ruling is automatically appealed to the Texas Courty of Criminal Appeals.

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22
Q

If the govenor make a commutation of state charges in a death penalty case, what does this mean for the defendant?

A

The Penalty in the case is reduced.

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23
Q

Which is TRUE regarding methods of execution?

A

Pharmaceutical manufacturers have been reluctant to provide drugs used for execution, forcing states to look to unregulated pharmacies.

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24
Q

Which of the following arguments is commonly used in favor of the death penalty?

A

Fear of the death penalty will make potential criminals think twice.

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25
Q

Which is the MOST accurate re: the death penaltys detterent effect

A

The death penalty is probably ineffective as a deterrent, given that other varriables might also affect homicide rates.

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26
Q

Why might some municipalities choose NOT to seek the death penalty?

A

Some municipalities do not have the resources to afford the high cost associated with seaking the death penalty.

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27
Q

What % of Texans either strongly or somewhat supported the death penalty in April 2021?

A

Approx 60%

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28
Q

How has an increased media focus on exonerations and wrongful executions led the public to change its perspective on the death penalty?

A

The public has developed a more nuanced perspective on the use of the death penalty, considering it in terms of accuracy rather than just morality.

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29
Q

Why did Duane Bucks case spark contorversy over Texas’s use of the death penalty?

A

The jury relied on testimony about race and the likelihood that Buck would be violent in the future

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30
Q

Which statement MOST accurately describes the death penalty in Texas?

A

Nine of the top 15 counties that execute the post prisoners are in Texas.

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31
Q

What does race have to do with the death penalty in Texas?

A

People of color make of a disproportionate number of inmates on death row in Texas.

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32
Q

Ethnic minorities are underrepresented in what part of the Texas justice system?

A

Jury Pools

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33
Q

What evidence from Dallas Morning News demonstrated that implicit bias plays a role in the jury selection process?

A

Prosecutors deismissed all Black participants whosaid they had a bad experience with the police but only 39% of White participants that said the same thing.

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34
Q

Which statement about jury selection is MOST accurate

A

It is illegal to dismiss a potential juror based on race.

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35
Q

According to Jolie McCullough, what is the purpose behind having a death-qualified jury?

A

to have an open-minded jury with all members willing to consider the death penalty.

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36
Q

Why do critics think death-qualified juries are unfair?

A

They aren’t representative of the general populations view of the death penatly

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37
Q

What % of Black respondents said they think the death penatly is applied fairly

A

17%

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38
Q

When crime rates dropeed in the early 2000s what policy reforms occurred around the same time in Texas?

A

there was a shift toward rehabilitation programs and reduced spending for prison facilitates

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39
Q

What has been one of the main problems with implementing criminal justice reform in Texas?

A

Programs have been underfunded

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40
Q

which of the following is a key rason criminal justice legislation passed at both the state and national level over the last decade?

A

State and national partisanas from varying sides of the polictial spectrum agreed reform is needed.

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41
Q

What is the purpose of a primary?

A

to allow party members to choose the party’s nominees for an upcoming general election

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42
Q

Which of the following is true of an open primary?

A

An open primary does not require voters to declare the party with which they are affiliated

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43
Q

What happens if no candidate whins a majority of votes in a Texas primary election?

A

There is a runnoff election between the two candidates with the most votes to decide who will run in the general election

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44
Q

What is the polictical effect of holding gubernatorial and other executive brance office elections in Texas in off years?

A

It insulates the election of statewide offices from national politics.

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45
Q

What type of election is held when a legislative or congressional seat becomes vacant before the end of the current occupant’s term/>

A

a special election

46
Q

What is the effect of nonpartisan elections (such as city council elections) where party affiliation is not indicated on the ballot?

A

Voters have a difficult time choosing between candidates

47
Q

In order to be listed on the Rep or Dem primary ballot in Texas, what must a candidate do?

A

either collect signatures on a nominating petition or pay a filing fee

48
Q

Major and minor parties are treated differently under Texas law. What is the difference between a major party and a minor party?

A

Minor parties arethos eparties that received less that 20% of the vote in the previous general election.

49
Q

What must an independent candidate do to be listed on the general election ballot?

A

collect signatures on a nominating petition

50
Q

Requirements to voe in Texas

A

US citizen
Resident of TX for at least 30 days
18 years old
registered to vote for at least 30 days before the election

51
Q

What are Texas’s rules regarding voter registration?

A

Voters must register 30 days prior to the day of the election

52
Q

True or false: Texas requires that you be a resident of the county where you submit your application to register to vote.

A

True

53
Q

Why has govenor walker suggested getting rid of SDR in Wisconsin?

A

it makes poll workers’ jobs more difficult

54
Q

In terms of election administration, which of the following would be an advantage of SDR?

A

It allows for a more current and accurate updating of voter rolls

55
Q

Why did the majority of Americans judge JFK the winner of the first televised presidential debate in 1960?

A

Most americans watched the debate on TV and Kennedy looked fresher and more vibrant than nixon

56
Q

What is the most important task for candidates to accomplish during a campaign?

A

Candidates must motivate voters to show up and vote

57
Q

What is data mining?

A

The collection and analysis of massive amounts of information

58
Q

Which of the following accurately describes how campaigns adapted to concern over COVID-19

A

Texas Rep did not express much concern over the virus and the party increased their face-to face contact with voters.

59
Q

At a basic level, what is the primary goal of most political advertising?

A

Achieving name recognition for a candidate

60
Q

What is one benefit of using short online videos in campaigns?

A

Online videos are less expensive than TV ads

61
Q

A republican candidate running for office in Texas would be most likely to seek an endorsement from which of the following groups?

A

the NRA

62
Q

What is one Benefit of using short online videos in campaigns

A

online videos are less expenive than television ads

63
Q

What practice did “Pappy” O’Daniel help to make common?

A

using radio addresses to create a sense of familiatiry with voters

64
Q

What is the primary function of local dandidate rallies and public events?

A

They are used to reinforce strategic images the campaign seeks to promote

65
Q

How do campaigns typically use suceessful poll resuts?

A

to establish their candidates credibility

66
Q

How might voters exposed to poll results be influenced by the “bandwagon” effect

A

undecided voters are likely to cast their ballots for the cadidate they think is the probable winner

67
Q

Since voters might be exposed to the band wagon effect, what do some agrue that news stations ought to do?

A

Stick to reporting what is actually happening on Election day rather than making projections.

68
Q

How did total spending on campaigns for US HOR change from 1998 to 2020?

A

Spending tripled

69
Q

Which statement best explains why overall contributions to political campaigns in Texas were higher in 2014 than in 2016

A

The rac efor governor significantly increases the total amount of money spent on political campaigns

70
Q

Which of the following has been a factor in the increasing party competition that has inflated the costs of campaigning in TX?

A

Demographic shifts in TX have raised the possibility of a democratic resurgance

71
Q

According to the New York Times, what is one of the most valuable tools of campaigns and political action committees?

A

30-second TV commercials

72
Q

Which two authortities regulate camaign financing for elections in TX?

A

the federal election commission and the Texas ethics commisions

73
Q

When did modern capaign finance regulation begin in the US?

A

1972, with the adoption of the Federal Election campaign Act

74
Q

Which organication filed charges against the individuals involved in the sharpstown stock fraud scandal?

A

the US securities and Exchange Commision

75
Q

What did the 1991 law creating the Texas Ethics Commission fail to do?

A

Place a cap on campaign contirbutions

76
Q

Why has the Texas Ethics Commission faced severe criticism over its enforement of campaign laws?

A

the TEC does not sufficiently investigate complaints of violations.

77
Q

What was the effect of the citizens united decision?

A

The decision let individuals, unions and corporations donate unlimited amounts anonymously to political action committes

78
Q

A communications director who works for the Republican National Committee would represent which semidistinct group within the Republican Party?

A

the party organization

79
Q

What type of organization allows individuals to run for office under the organizations name?

A

A political party

80
Q

What role do parties play in deciding which candidates will appear on the ballot under a partys name?

A

Parties have very little direct control over who can run under a parties name, though they do tend to be involved in recruiting potential candidates to do so.

81
Q

How might a political party leverage public debate in its favor?

A

by framing an issue in a way that is favorable to the partys position

82
Q

Which of the following groups works within a party at the goverment level to set priorities and develop a legislative strategy

A

a Party Caucuses

83
Q

How do political parties link state and nation govt

A

Parties at the state level provide all funds to the national party organization and are thereby able to leverage appointments to federal bureaucracies.

84
Q

Why should political parties ideally be “participatory vehicles”

A

having politically involved members is important for determining both the shape and leadership of a party

85
Q

which of the following is a requirement to be able to vote in the state of TX

A

You must be a citizen who is 18 on election day

86
Q

Have young candidates ever been successful at running for public office in the state of TX?

A

Yes, several young candidates with little experience have fared well in TX elections

87
Q

If you wished to become involved in party politics by running for a party nomination, which of the following elective offices would be the BEST place to start?

A

State rep for a smaller district

88
Q

Which of the following connects district and state level party organizations to their members?

A

Party Precincts

89
Q

How does one become an election judge for a general election?

A

The county commissioners court appoints a presiding judge and an alternate judge

90
Q

The history of political parties can be thought of as which of the following?

A

a series of long, fairly stable periods that are interrupted by brief episodes of dramatic change

91
Q

A shift in the make of an power of political parties, often marked by a critical election, is called what/

A

a political realignment

92
Q

Which of the following patterns is characteristic of the succession of party systems in TX?

A

One Party tends to dominate election for long periods of time.

93
Q

What was the centeral issue in TX during the pre-party era?

A

Opposition to the leadership and goverment in Mexico

94
Q

Which describes classical liberalism

A

a philosophy that places a high value on the liberty of individuals to exercise their freedoms, so long as their freedoms do not restrict the liberties of others.

95
Q

Which of the following statements is true regarding TXs early years in the union?

A

Texas was deeply divided regarding slavery

96
Q

What was Edmund J davis’s administration known for?

A

a devotion to public works

97
Q

What political event led to the end of Reconstruction?

A

The compromise of 1877

98
Q

How did the democrats maintain their hold on power throughout TX?

A

They used patronage systems in whic urban bosses directed the voting choices of mostly immagrant blocs

99
Q

What is one trent that occurs when one party is dominant in state or national politics?

A

Divisions within the dominant party tend to become more important that divisions between the parties

100
Q

what party posed the most significant challenge to the post- reconstruction democratic party

A

the peoples party

101
Q

Who benefited the most from Jim Crow laws in TX?

A

Democrats

102
Q

While the democratic party was dominant within TX, the republican party dominated national politics. Whic hpresident brought the democratic party to national dominance/

A

Roosevelt

103
Q

Where did yellow dog democrate come from?

A

Democratic voters acquired this moniker when they vowed that thye would vote for a yellow dog before a Republican

104
Q

What were the 2 major pieces of civil rights legislation signed into law under Lyndon Johnson?

A

Civil rights act and the voting rights act

105
Q

Apart from internal divisions in the democratic party, what contributed to the growth of the Republican party in TX/

A

the growth of TX suburbs and the migration of people in from other states

106
Q

What does polarization in politics mean/

A

Two opposing or conflicting principles, tendencies or points of view exist on a topic with the majority of opinions being at extremes

107
Q

how do republicans in TX compare to Reb at the national level?

A

Texas Republicans are more conservative and their policy models influence national republican party policies

108
Q

Which of the following policy areas are most imporant to Texas Democrats in 2021

A

Ending the covid 19 pandemic

109
Q

Why does support for 3rd party candidates rarely translate into votes/

A

Voters who express support for 3rd parties often revert to the major parties on Election day

110
Q

How does the lobby in TX compare to that of many other states/

A

it has relatively strong political power

111
Q

Why are businesses so influential in shaping Tx policy?

A

Bc of the efficiency needed to accommodate the short legislative sessions

112
Q

What is a public interest group/

A

a group that promotes policies that produce widely distributed benefits

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