Ch 8-12 Flashcards

(112 cards)

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
Which is the MOST accurate re: the death penaltys detterent effect
The death penalty is probably ineffective as a deterrent, given that other varriables might also affect homicide rates.
26
Why might some municipalities choose NOT to seek the death penalty?
Some municipalities do not have the resources to afford the high cost associated with seaking the death penalty.
27
What % of Texans either strongly or somewhat supported the death penalty in April 2021?
Approx 60%
28
How has an increased media focus on exonerations and wrongful executions led the public to change its perspective on the death penalty?
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.
29
Why did Duane Bucks case spark contorversy over Texas's use of the death penalty?
The jury relied on testimony about race and the likelihood that Buck would be violent in the future
30
Which statement MOST accurately describes the death penalty in Texas?
Nine of the top 15 counties that execute the post prisoners are in Texas.
31
What does race have to do with the death penalty in Texas?
People of color make of a disproportionate number of inmates on death row in Texas.
32
Ethnic minorities are underrepresented in what part of the Texas justice system?
Jury Pools
33
What evidence from Dallas Morning News demonstrated that implicit bias plays a role in the jury selection process?
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.
34
Which statement about jury selection is MOST accurate
It is illegal to dismiss a potential juror based on race.
35
According to Jolie McCullough, what is the purpose behind having a death-qualified jury?
to have an open-minded jury with all members willing to consider the death penalty.
36
Why do critics think death-qualified juries are unfair?
They aren't representative of the general populations view of the death penatly
37
What % of Black respondents said they think the death penatly is applied fairly
17%
38
When crime rates dropeed in the early 2000s what policy reforms occurred around the same time in Texas?
there was a shift toward rehabilitation programs and reduced spending for prison facilitates
39
What has been one of the main problems with implementing criminal justice reform in Texas?
Programs have been underfunded
40
which of the following is a key rason criminal justice legislation passed at both the state and national level over the last decade?
State and national partisanas from varying sides of the polictial spectrum agreed reform is needed.
41
What is the purpose of a primary?
to allow party members to choose the party's nominees for an upcoming general election
42
Which of the following is true of an open primary?
An open primary does not require voters to declare the party with which they are affiliated
43
What happens if no candidate whins a majority of votes in a Texas primary election?
There is a runnoff election between the two candidates with the most votes to decide who will run in the general election
44
What is the polictical effect of holding gubernatorial and other executive brance office elections in Texas in off years?
It insulates the election of statewide offices from national politics.
45
What type of election is held when a legislative or congressional seat becomes vacant before the end of the current occupant's term/>
a special election
46
What is the effect of nonpartisan elections (such as city council elections) where party affiliation is not indicated on the ballot?
Voters have a difficult time choosing between candidates
47
In order to be listed on the Rep or Dem primary ballot in Texas, what must a candidate do?
either collect signatures on a nominating petition or pay a filing fee
48
Major and minor parties are treated differently under Texas law. What is the difference between a major party and a minor party?
Minor parties arethos eparties that received less that 20% of the vote in the previous general election.
49
What must an independent candidate do to be listed on the general election ballot?
collect signatures on a nominating petition
50
Requirements to voe in Texas
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
What are Texas's rules regarding voter registration?
Voters must register 30 days prior to the day of the election
52
True or false: Texas requires that you be a resident of the county where you submit your application to register to vote.
True
53
Why has govenor walker suggested getting rid of SDR in Wisconsin?
it makes poll workers' jobs more difficult
54
In terms of election administration, which of the following would be an advantage of SDR?
It allows for a more current and accurate updating of voter rolls
55
Why did the majority of Americans judge JFK the winner of the first televised presidential debate in 1960?
Most americans watched the debate on TV and Kennedy looked fresher and more vibrant than nixon
56
What is the most important task for candidates to accomplish during a campaign?
Candidates must motivate voters to show up and vote
57
What is data mining?
The collection and analysis of massive amounts of information
58
Which of the following accurately describes how campaigns adapted to concern over COVID-19
Texas Rep did not express much concern over the virus and the party increased their face-to face contact with voters.
59
At a basic level, what is the primary goal of most political advertising?
Achieving name recognition for a candidate
60
What is one benefit of using short online videos in campaigns?
Online videos are less expensive than TV ads
61
A republican candidate running for office in Texas would be most likely to seek an endorsement from which of the following groups?
the NRA
62
What is one Benefit of using short online videos in campaigns
online videos are less expenive than television ads
63
What practice did "Pappy" O'Daniel help to make common?
using radio addresses to create a sense of familiatiry with voters
64
What is the primary function of local dandidate rallies and public events?
They are used to reinforce strategic images the campaign seeks to promote
65
How do campaigns typically use suceessful poll resuts?
to establish their candidates credibility
66
How might voters exposed to poll results be influenced by the "bandwagon" effect
undecided voters are likely to cast their ballots for the cadidate they think is the probable winner
67
Since voters might be exposed to the band wagon effect, what do some agrue that news stations ought to do?
Stick to reporting what is actually happening on Election day rather than making projections.
68
How did total spending on campaigns for US HOR change from 1998 to 2020?
Spending tripled
69
Which statement best explains why overall contributions to political campaigns in Texas were higher in 2014 than in 2016
The rac efor governor significantly increases the total amount of money spent on political campaigns
70
Which of the following has been a factor in the increasing party competition that has inflated the costs of campaigning in TX?
Demographic shifts in TX have raised the possibility of a democratic resurgance
71
According to the New York Times, what is one of the most valuable tools of campaigns and political action committees?
30-second TV commercials
72
Which two authortities regulate camaign financing for elections in TX?
the federal election commission and the Texas ethics commisions
73
When did modern capaign finance regulation begin in the US?
1972, with the adoption of the Federal Election campaign Act
74
Which organication filed charges against the individuals involved in the sharpstown stock fraud scandal?
the US securities and Exchange Commision
75
What did the 1991 law creating the Texas Ethics Commission fail to do?
Place a cap on campaign contirbutions
76
Why has the Texas Ethics Commission faced severe criticism over its enforement of campaign laws?
the TEC does not sufficiently investigate complaints of violations.
77
What was the effect of the citizens united decision?
The decision let individuals, unions and corporations donate unlimited amounts anonymously to political action committes
78
A communications director who works for the Republican National Committee would represent which semidistinct group within the Republican Party?
the party organization
79
What type of organization allows individuals to run for office under the organizations name?
A political party
80
What role do parties play in deciding which candidates will appear on the ballot under a partys name?
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
How might a political party leverage public debate in its favor?
by framing an issue in a way that is favorable to the partys position
82
Which of the following groups works within a party at the goverment level to set priorities and develop a legislative strategy
a Party Caucuses
83
How do political parties link state and nation govt
Parties at the state level provide all funds to the national party organization and are thereby able to leverage appointments to federal bureaucracies.
84
Why should political parties ideally be "participatory vehicles"
having politically involved members is important for determining both the shape and leadership of a party
85
which of the following is a requirement to be able to vote in the state of TX
You must be a citizen who is 18 on election day
86
Have young candidates ever been successful at running for public office in the state of TX?
Yes, several young candidates with little experience have fared well in TX elections
87
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?
State rep for a smaller district
88
Which of the following connects district and state level party organizations to their members?
Party Precincts
89
How does one become an election judge for a general election?
The county commissioners court appoints a presiding judge and an alternate judge
90
The history of political parties can be thought of as which of the following?
a series of long, fairly stable periods that are interrupted by brief episodes of dramatic change
91
A shift in the make of an power of political parties, often marked by a critical election, is called what/
a political realignment
92
Which of the following patterns is characteristic of the succession of party systems in TX?
One Party tends to dominate election for long periods of time.
93
What was the centeral issue in TX during the pre-party era?
Opposition to the leadership and goverment in Mexico
94
Which describes classical liberalism
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
Which of the following statements is true regarding TXs early years in the union?
Texas was deeply divided regarding slavery
96
What was Edmund J davis's administration known for?
a devotion to public works
97
What political event led to the end of Reconstruction?
The compromise of 1877
98
How did the democrats maintain their hold on power throughout TX?
They used patronage systems in whic urban bosses directed the voting choices of mostly immagrant blocs
99
What is one trent that occurs when one party is dominant in state or national politics?
Divisions within the dominant party tend to become more important that divisions between the parties
100
what party posed the most significant challenge to the post- reconstruction democratic party
the peoples party
101
Who benefited the most from Jim Crow laws in TX?
Democrats
102
While the democratic party was dominant within TX, the republican party dominated national politics. Whic hpresident brought the democratic party to national dominance/
Roosevelt
103
Where did yellow dog democrate come from?
Democratic voters acquired this moniker when they vowed that thye would vote for a yellow dog before a Republican
104
What were the 2 major pieces of civil rights legislation signed into law under Lyndon Johnson?
Civil rights act and the voting rights act
105
Apart from internal divisions in the democratic party, what contributed to the growth of the Republican party in TX/
the growth of TX suburbs and the migration of people in from other states
106
What does polarization in politics mean/
Two opposing or conflicting principles, tendencies or points of view exist on a topic with the majority of opinions being at extremes
107
how do republicans in TX compare to Reb at the national level?
Texas Republicans are more conservative and their policy models influence national republican party policies
108
Which of the following policy areas are most imporant to Texas Democrats in 2021
Ending the covid 19 pandemic
109
Why does support for 3rd party candidates rarely translate into votes/
Voters who express support for 3rd parties often revert to the major parties on Election day
110
How does the lobby in TX compare to that of many other states/
it has relatively strong political power
111
Why are businesses so influential in shaping Tx policy?
Bc of the efficiency needed to accommodate the short legislative sessions
112
What is a public interest group/
a group that promotes policies that produce widely distributed benefits