Chapter 4

Question 0

Statstical information compiled from databases and gathered by objective measures. Typically compared with clinical data, which are less structured, interview based, and more subjective in nature.

Answer 0

Actuarial data

Question 1

A document submitted to an appellate court by an outside party to call attention to some matter that might otherwise escape its attention

Answer 1

Amicus curiae brief

Question 2

A court’s authority to hear appeals from decisions of lower courts.

Answer 2

Appellate jurisdiction

Question 3

The court proceeding during which defendants are formally charged with an offense, informed of their rights, and asked to enter a plea.

Answer 3

Arraignment

Question 4

Also called court trial. A civil or criminal trial in which the judge, rather than a jury, is the finder of fact, responsible for reviewing the evidence and rendering a verdict.

Answer 4

Bench trial (court trial)

Question 5

Exercised by an attorney or judge whenever it can be demonstrated that a would-be juror does not satisfy the statutory requirements for jury duty.

Answer 5

Challenge for cause

Question 6

An action at civil law, which is the part of the law concerned with noncriminal matters pertaining to the rights and duties of citizents

Answer 6

Civil case

Question 7

An alleged violation of rules deemed so important that the breaking of these rules incurs society’s formal punishment, which must be imposed by the criminal courts.

Answer 7

Criminal case

Question 8

Individual who is facing a legal action

Answer 8

Defendant

Question 9

Proceedings during which potential witnesses are questioned by attorneys for the opposing side, under oath and in the presence of a court recorder, although typically awaiy from the courtroom.

Answer 9

Desposition

Question 10

The pretrial procedure by which one party in a civil or criminal case discloses to the other party information vital for his or her defense.

Answer 10

Discovery process

Question 11

The resolution of a legal matter. In criminal law, an example would be the sentence a defendant receives. In civil law, the disposition of a case may be a judgement in favor of the plaintiff.

Answer 11

Disposition

Question 12

Refers to the fact that federal and state courts in the United states exist side by side, independent of one another, sometimes in the same geographical location.

Answer 12

Dual-courty system

Question 13

Requirement from the Tarasoff case that clinicians must take steps to protect possible victims from serious bodily harm as a result of threats made by the clinicians’ clients.

Answer 13

Duty to warn or protect

Question 14

Courts with broad authority over a vast array of both simple and complex cases, both civil and criminal.

Answer 14

General jurisdiction

Question 15

Court authority over a specified geographical area of the country or state.

Answer 15

Geographical jurisdiction

Question 16

A body of citizents (usually 23 in number) that is directed by the prosecutor to weigh evidence and decide whether there is enough to charge a person with a criminal offense.

Answer 16

Grand jury

Question 17

A court appearance by an arrested individual if he or she is being held in jail rather than released or cited to appear in court at a later date. Its purpose is to review the need for continuing detention. However, it also may apply to the first proceeding before a judge, whether or not the individual was detained.

Answer 17

Initial appearance

Question 18

Judge specification concerning the remedy to be borne by the defendant

Answer 18

Judgement

Question 19

Court that settles small disputes or deals with preliminary issues in a major case

Answer 19

Limited jurisdiction

Question 20

A rule that allows a lawyer to request the removal of a prospective juror without giving reason

Answer 20

Peremptory challenge

Question 21

Person of party who initially brings a legal suit.

Answer 21

Plaintiff

Question 22

Social history prepared by someone appointed by the court that includes information about the offender’s family background, employment history, level of education, substance abuse, criminal history, medical needs, and mental health history.

Answer 22

Presentence invistigation

Question 23

The application of social and behavioral science techniques to assist attorneys in accepting jurors who will be favorably disposed toward their clients

Answer 23

Scientific jury selection

Question 24

Courts that deal only with particular matters. Family courts, drug courts, mental health courts, and domestic violence courts are all examples of _____.

Answer 24

Specialized courts

Question 25

Issues or legal matters over which a court has jurisdiction. For example, a family court may have authority over divorce, custody, adoption, and delinquecy matters.

Answer 25

Subject matter jurisdiction

Question 26

Statutory stipulation that a therapist has the duty to warn and/ or a duty to protect individuals threatened by his or her patient.

Answer 26

Tarasoff requirement

Question 27

Final question that must be decided by the court, such as whether the defendant was indeed insane (and therefore not responsible) at the time of his crime.

Answer 27

Ultimate issue

Question 28

A process that allows the judge and attorneys to question the prospective jurors and possibly disqualify them from jury duty.

Answer 28

Voir dire

Question 29

Steps taken by lawyers to prepare victims and other witnesses for their testimony in court. This usually includes educating the witness about what to expect, fully informing the attorney about what the witness knows, and coaching the witness about courtroom behavior and how to repsond to questions posed.

Answer 29

Witness preparation