How does the local legal culture affect criminal cases?

The local legal culture consists of norms that distinguish between one court and those in other jurisdictions. These norms dictate expectations about how members should treat one another and describe how cases shld be processed.

How does a courtroom workgroup form and operate?

The courtroom workgroup is made up of judge, prosecutor, defense counsel, and support staff assigned to a specific courtroom. Through the interaction of these members, goals, norms are shared, and a set of roles becomes stabilized.

Why are similar cases treated differently in different cities?

Several factors can vary in different cities, including the structure of the courtroom workgroup and the influence of sponsoring organizations, which affect such things as prosecution policies and public defender assignments.

Why does plea bargaining occur?

It serves the self-interest of all relevant actors: defendants gain certain, less-than-maximum sentences; prosecutors gain swift, sure convictions; def. att. get prompt resolution of cases; judges do not have to preside over as many time-consuming trials.

What is implicit plea bargaining?

Implicit plea bargaining occurs when prosecutors and defense attorneys use shared expectations and interactions to settle the facts of a case and reach a resolution based on the going rate for sentences in the local legal culture.

What issues concerning plea bargaining has the Supreme Court examined?

The U.S. Supreme Court has examined whether the defendant pleads guilty in a knowing and voluntary way, guilty pleas from defendants who still claim to be innocent, and the prosecutors'' and defendants' obligations to fulfill their plea agreements.

What are the criticism of plea bargaining?

Concerns about pressures on defendants to surrender their rights and concerns that society's mandated criminal punishments are improperly reduced.

Approximately what percentage of felony cases reach conclusion through a trial?

In most jurisdiction, only 3-4 percent of felony cases typically reach their conclusion through trials, although there may be slightly higher percentages in a specific year or at a courthouse.

What are three of six functions that juries serve for the criminal justice system?

1. Safeguard citizens against arbitary law enforcement. 2. determine the guilt of the accused 3. represent diverse community interests and values 4. serve as a buffer between accused and accuser 5. become educated about the justice system. 6. symbolize lw

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C.J.:Chapter 11

Checkpoint Answers

Question	Answer
How does the local legal culture affect criminal cases?	The local legal culture consists of norms that distinguish between one court and those in other jurisdictions. These norms dictate expectations about how members should treat one another and describe how cases shld be processed.
How does a courtroom workgroup form and operate?	The courtroom workgroup is made up of judge, prosecutor, defense counsel, and support staff assigned to a specific courtroom. Through the interaction of these members, goals, norms are shared, and a set of roles becomes stabilized.
Why are similar cases treated differently in different cities?	Several factors can vary in different cities, including the structure of the courtroom workgroup and the influence of sponsoring organizations, which affect such things as prosecution policies and public defender assignments.
Why does plea bargaining occur?	It serves the self-interest of all relevant actors: defendants gain certain, less-than-maximum sentences; prosecutors gain swift, sure convictions; def. att. get prompt resolution of cases; judges do not have to preside over as many time-consuming trials.
What is implicit plea bargaining?	Implicit plea bargaining occurs when prosecutors and defense attorneys use shared expectations and interactions to settle the facts of a case and reach a resolution based on the going rate for sentences in the local legal culture.
What issues concerning plea bargaining has the Supreme Court examined?	The U.S. Supreme Court has examined whether the defendant pleads guilty in a knowing and voluntary way, guilty pleas from defendants who still claim to be innocent, and the prosecutors'' and defendants' obligations to fulfill their plea agreements.
What are the criticism of plea bargaining?	Concerns about pressures on defendants to surrender their rights and concerns that society's mandated criminal punishments are improperly reduced.
Approximately what percentage of felony cases reach conclusion through a trial?	In most jurisdiction, only 3-4 percent of felony cases typically reach their conclusion through trials, although there may be slightly higher percentages in a specific year or at a courthouse.
What are three of six functions that juries serve for the criminal justice system?	1. Safeguard citizens against arbitary law enforcement. 2. determine the guilt of the accused 3. represent diverse community interests and values 4. serve as a buffer between accused and accuser 5. become educated about the justice system. 6. symbolize lw

Created by: mari_707

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