Criminal Justice Review and Assessment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which model of the criminal justice process emphasizes speed and efficiency in moving cases toward conviction?
- Due process model
- Crime control model (Correct answer)
- Restorative justice model
- Rehabilitation model
Correct answer: Crime control model
Herbert Packer's crime control model prioritizes efficient case processing and suppression of crime.
Question 2: A police officer stops a driver based on a hunch with no articulable facts. Evidence found during the stop would most likely be excluded under which doctrine?
- Fruit of the poisonous tree (Correct answer)
- Plain view doctrine
- Inevitable discovery
- Good faith exception
Correct answer: Fruit of the poisonous tree
Evidence derived from an unconstitutional stop is tainted as fruit of the poisonous tree and generally inadmissible.
Question 3: Which standard of proof is required to convict a defendant in a criminal trial?
- Preponderance of the evidence
- Clear and convincing evidence
- Beyond a reasonable doubt (Correct answer)
- Probable cause
Correct answer: Beyond a reasonable doubt
Criminal convictions require proof beyond a reasonable doubt, the highest standard in U.S. law.
Question 4: The three main components of the U.S. criminal justice system are:
- Police, courts, and corrections (Correct answer)
- Federal, state, and local agencies
- Prosecution, defense, and judiciary
- Investigation, trial, and appeal
Correct answer: Police, courts, and corrections
The criminal justice system is traditionally divided into law enforcement, courts, and corrections.
Question 5: In Terry v. Ohio, the Supreme Court held that police may briefly detain and frisk a person based on:
- Probable cause of a felony
- A valid arrest warrant
- Consent of the suspect
- Reasonable suspicion of criminal activity (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Reasonable suspicion of criminal activity
Terry v. Ohio (1968) allows stop-and-frisks based on reasonable, articulable suspicion.
Question 6: Which sentencing goal focuses on preventing future crime by making an example of the offender to society?
- General deterrence (Correct answer)
- Specific deterrence
- Retribution
- Incapacitation
Correct answer: General deterrence
General deterrence aims to discourage the public from offending by punishing convicted offenders visibly.
Question 7: A prosecutor's decision not to file charges despite sufficient evidence is an example of:
- Nolo contendere
- Prosecutorial discretion (Correct answer)
- Jury nullification
- Double jeopardy
Correct answer: Prosecutorial discretion
Prosecutors have broad discretion to decide whether and what charges to file.
Criminal Justice Review and Assessment 2
Which model of the criminal justice process emphasizes speed and efficiency in moving cases toward conviction?