Chapter 9

Question 1

The decision by a prosecutor to drop a case after a complaint has been made because of, for example, insufficient evidence, witness reluctance to testify, police error, or office policy

Answer 1

Nolle Prosequi

Question 2

A group of citizens chosen to hear charges against persons accused of crime and to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to bring those persons to trial

Answer 2

Grand jury

Question 3

A court to which appeals are made on points of law resulting from the judgement of a lower, court; the appellate court may be asked to evaluate the impact of new evidence but more typically decides whether the state or federal constitution was improperly interpreted during a case.

Answer 3

Appellate court

Question 4

An appointed or elected member of the practicing bar who is responsible for bringing the state’s cases against the accused.

Answer 4

Prosecutor

Question 4

The county prosecutor who is charged with bringing offenders to justice and enforcing the criminal laws of the state.

Answer 4

District Attorney

Question 5

Discussions between defense counsel and prosecution in which the accused agrees to plead guilty in exchange for certain considerations such as reduced charges or a lenient sentence.

Answer 5

Plea negotiations/Plea bargaining

Question 6

An order of a superior court requesting that a record of an inferior court (or administrative body) be brought forward for review or inspection

Answer 6

Writ of Certiorari

Question 6

The chief legal officer and prosecutor of each state and of the United States

Answer 6

Attorney General

Question 7

The practice by private attorneys of taking the cases of indigent offenders without fee as a service to the profession and the community

Answer 7

Pro Bono

Question 8

A private counsel attorney appointed by the court to represent a criminal defendant who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer

Answer 8

Assigned counsel

Question 9

A defendant who lacks the funds to hire a private attorney and is therefore entitled to free counsel

Answer 9

Indigent defendant

Question 10

A state of federal court that has jurisdiction over felony offenses serious crimes that carry a penalty of incarceration in a state or federal prison for one year or more

Answer 10

Courts of general jurisdiction

Question 11

An informal dispute resolution process in which a neutral third party helps disputing third parties reach an agreement

Answer 11

Mediation

Question 12

A process of dispute resolution in which a neutral third party (arbitrator) renders a decision after a hearing at which both parties agree to be heard.

Answer 12

Arbitration

Question 13

A prosecutorial philosophy that emphasizes community support and cooperation with other agencies in preventing crime, as well as a less centralized and more proactive role for local prosecutors

Answer 13

Community Prosecution

Question 13

An attorney employed by the government to represent criminal defendants who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer

Answer 13

Public defender

Question 15

A trial court in the federal court system

Answer 15

U.S district court

Question 17

A court that handles the final appeal on a matter-in the federal system, the U.S supreme court

Answer 17

Court of last resort

Question 18

The highest appellate court in the United States

Answer 18

U.S Supreme court

Question 19

A court that has jurisdiction over misdemeanors and conducts preliminary investigations of felony charges

Answer 19

Courts of limited Jurisdiction

Question 20

The prosecutor’s auhtority to decide whether to bring a case to trial or to dismiss it outright

Answer 20

Prosecutorial discretion

Question 21

Legal counsel for the defendant in a criminal case, representing the accused person from arrest to final appeal

Answer 21

Defense Attorney

Question 23

a simplified version of trial

Answer 23

Arbitration

Question 24

The convention that four justices must agree to hear a case before a writ of certiorari is granted

Answer 24

Rule of four

Question 25

The nations principal litigators, appointed by the president. Assistant United States attorneys are tasked with, among other duties, prosecuting criminal defendants in federal court.

Answer 25

United States Attorneys

Question 26

Provision of legal services to indigent defendants by private attorneys under contract to the state or county

Answer 26

Contract System

Question 27

A court that has preliminary jurisdiction over specific types of offenses and that operates differently than a traditional criminal court, such as with a concern over outcomes and extensive judicial monitoring

Answer 27

Specialized court

Question 28

The senior officer in a court of law, who is authorized to hear and decide cases.

Answer 28

Judge

Question 29

A means of settling disputes outside the court room

Answer 29

Alternative dispute resolution

Question 30

An apellate court in the federal court system

Answer 30

U.S courts of appeals