GOVT 2306: Ch 5 Study Guide

In the merit systems, appointed judges rarely lose retention elections mainly because of what?

They run un-apposed

In terms of responsiveness and competency, judges appointed by governors are typically of what kind?

Unresponsive to voters and exercise independence in their decisions; competent

The Frontlines program entitled "Justice for Sale" highlighted how justices of Texas's supreme court had received money in donations. How much was donated?

$9 million

What are the two kinds of county courts?

-Constitutional county courts -County courts at law

What is the most important difference between trial and appellate courts?

-Trial: local courts; juries determine the outcome of the cases heard in court -Appellate: higher level courts that decide on points of law and not questions of guilt or innocence

In most states, which courts hear major criminal and civil cases?

-district courts -major trial courts -superior courts

What U.S. Constitutional amendment guarantees citizens in each state due process and equal protection of the law regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender?

14th amendment

As of 2016, what percentage of all Texas judges are female?

34%

In 2014, Texas's incarceration rate was how high as compared to the rest of the nation?

5th highest in the U.S.

The highest percentage of Texas inmates are of what major group?

African-American males

The lowest number of states select judges through what method?

Appointment by the legislature

Why does the U.S. have a dual court system?

Because of the federal system of government.

Most court cases in Texas deal with what kind of issues?

Controversies between individuals

What is the highest court for criminal cases?

Court of Criminal Appeals

How are courts different from legislatures?

Courts settle individual disputes (courts cannot ask for cases or initiate policy changes)

In Texas, appellate courts do specifically what?

Decide points of law, not points of fact. They decide whether proper procedures were followed and if the defense properly defended the person charged.

The strict procedural rules that govern courts does what?

Determines when and how facts and arguments can be presented. -have to obtain evidence legally

A murder case would most likely be tried in what kind of court?

District court

Which method of judicial selection is a system left over from colonial America?

Election by the legislature

Which method for removing judges for misconduct is used by the fewest states?

Governor removing a judge after a hearing

Texas uses what to review the facts and decide whether enough evidence exists to try a case?

Grand jury and administrative hearing

Why do political candidates often use the "tough on criminals" campaign strategy?

It does not offend too many people

What kind of court is the justice of the peace?

Magistrate court

The highest number of state courts use this method for selecting judges.

Missouri Plan; a Merit Plan

According to a 2006 Texans for Public Justice study, the Texas Supreme Court does what in its effort to hear cases filed by large contributors?

More likely to hear cases filed by contributors (the more $ the more likely) 7X more likely

Considering all Texas judges, what judges are not selected on partisan election basis?

Municipal court judges

Who is most likely to be appointed as a judge to his or her initial seat on the court in Texas?

Municipal court judges

Most voters go to the election booth with scant knowledge about the qualifications of judicial candidates, and they often end up voting based on what?

Name familiarity

What is the primary attribute voters use to select judges?

Name of familiarity

Judges must base their decisions only on the federal and state constitutions, statutes, and earlier court decisions. This concept is called...?

Objectivity; impartial decisions

Across all fifty states, the most common method for selecting trial court judges is:

Partisan election

How are supreme court judges selected in Texas?

Partisan election

Which method of judicial selection leads to the highest degree of judicial responsiveness?

Partisan election

Which method of judicial selection leads to the lowest degree of judicial responsiveness?

Partisan election

Which method of judicial selections leads to the lowest degree of judicial independence?

Partisan election

According to Figure 5.2, what is the most common way of selecting Appellate court judges?

Partisan elections

The Texas Government Code allows jurisdictions to draw upon which source(s) for jury selection?

Registered voters & licensed drivers

If a court makes a ruling based on a previous ruling from another court, this is an example of the principle of...?

Stare decisis

In 1984, many incumbent Democratic judges lost their seats in large urban counties to unknown Republican challengers because of what motive?

Straight Ticket Voting

In Texas, criminal appeals involving the death penalty are heard by what court?

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

The merit system used to identify and select judges is also known as

merit system; Missouri plan

How are trial court judges selected in Texas?

partisan election