Texas Government Exam 3 Questions
and Answers
Misdemeanor - ANSWER-A minor criminal offense usually punishable by a small fine
of short jail sentence.
Municipal Courts - ANSWER-Local trial courts with limited jurisdiction over violations
of city ordinances and very minor criminal misdemeanors
Ordinance - ANSWER-A regulation enacted by a city government in each of Texas's
incorporated cities and towns
Parole - ANSWER-The conditional release of an offender who has served some
prison time, under specified rules and under the supervision of a parole officer.
Partisan Election - ANSWER-Is an election where candidates are listed on the ballot
with indication of their political party
Plaintiff - ANSWER-A person who brings a case against another in a court of law
Plea Bargain - ANSWER-A negotiated agreement in a criminal case in which a
defendant agrees to plead guilty in return for the state's agreement to reduce the
severity of the criminal charge or prison sentence the defendant is facing
Probation - ANSWER-You can get this as your punishment by the judge instead of
going to prison. It is a lower cost method of policing you.
Public Defender - ANSWER-A lawyer employed at public expense in a criminal trial
to represent a defendant who is unable to afford legal assistance
Litigation - ANSWER-The process of taking legal action
Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles - ANSWER-This board decides who is going to
get pardoned and who will get parole.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - ANSWER-It is the state agency that is in
charge of Texas state prison system. The difference between jail and prison is that
the county sheriff or chief of police is in charge of the jails.
Texas Forensic Science Commission - ANSWER-This was created in 2005 with the
purpose of overseeing the criminal investigation of forensic business
Texas Supreme Court - ANSWER-The highest civil court in Texas; consists of nine
justices and has final state appellate authority over civil cases
, "Three strikes" provision - ANSWER-A law that allows persons convicted of three
felonies to be sentences to life imprisonment
Tort - ANSWER-A civil wrong that causes harm to another; it is restored by awarding
economic damages to the injured party
Tort Reform - ANSWER-Refers to proposed changes in the civil justice system that
aim to reduce the ability to bring tort litigation or to reduce damages they can
receive.
Trial - ANSWER-A formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically
before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.
The county with the highest number of death sentences in the nation at 116 -
ANSWER-Harris County
Approximate percentage of district court cases that deal with criminal law: -
ANSWER-29%
Maximum amount of money a law firm may donate to a judge's election campaign: -
ANSWER-$30,000
Time spent in prison for 1st degree murder - ANSWER-5-99 years
Number of Justices serving on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - ANSWER-9
Number of Texas Counties that rank in the top 15 nationally for issuing death
sentences - ANSWER-9
Average daily cost for supervision of a convicted criminal on parole - ANSWER-$4
Length of sentence time a convicted criminal of a nonviolent crime must serve in
prison - ANSWER-15 years or 25%
Percentage of district court cases that are for homicide - ANSWER-1%
Maximum length of a county jail sentence is what for a Class A misdemeanor crime:
- ANSWER-1 year
Amount a wrongfully imprisoned individual can receive for the rest of their life when
released: - ANSWER-$80,000
Number of DWI convictions before it becomes a felony: - ANSWER-3, on the third it
becomes a 3rd degree felony
Minimum prison time required by federal law that violent criminals spend on their
sentence: - ANSWER-85%
Number of jurors who serve on a misdemeanor trial: - ANSWER-Minimum of 6
and Answers
Misdemeanor - ANSWER-A minor criminal offense usually punishable by a small fine
of short jail sentence.
Municipal Courts - ANSWER-Local trial courts with limited jurisdiction over violations
of city ordinances and very minor criminal misdemeanors
Ordinance - ANSWER-A regulation enacted by a city government in each of Texas's
incorporated cities and towns
Parole - ANSWER-The conditional release of an offender who has served some
prison time, under specified rules and under the supervision of a parole officer.
Partisan Election - ANSWER-Is an election where candidates are listed on the ballot
with indication of their political party
Plaintiff - ANSWER-A person who brings a case against another in a court of law
Plea Bargain - ANSWER-A negotiated agreement in a criminal case in which a
defendant agrees to plead guilty in return for the state's agreement to reduce the
severity of the criminal charge or prison sentence the defendant is facing
Probation - ANSWER-You can get this as your punishment by the judge instead of
going to prison. It is a lower cost method of policing you.
Public Defender - ANSWER-A lawyer employed at public expense in a criminal trial
to represent a defendant who is unable to afford legal assistance
Litigation - ANSWER-The process of taking legal action
Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles - ANSWER-This board decides who is going to
get pardoned and who will get parole.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - ANSWER-It is the state agency that is in
charge of Texas state prison system. The difference between jail and prison is that
the county sheriff or chief of police is in charge of the jails.
Texas Forensic Science Commission - ANSWER-This was created in 2005 with the
purpose of overseeing the criminal investigation of forensic business
Texas Supreme Court - ANSWER-The highest civil court in Texas; consists of nine
justices and has final state appellate authority over civil cases
, "Three strikes" provision - ANSWER-A law that allows persons convicted of three
felonies to be sentences to life imprisonment
Tort - ANSWER-A civil wrong that causes harm to another; it is restored by awarding
economic damages to the injured party
Tort Reform - ANSWER-Refers to proposed changes in the civil justice system that
aim to reduce the ability to bring tort litigation or to reduce damages they can
receive.
Trial - ANSWER-A formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically
before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.
The county with the highest number of death sentences in the nation at 116 -
ANSWER-Harris County
Approximate percentage of district court cases that deal with criminal law: -
ANSWER-29%
Maximum amount of money a law firm may donate to a judge's election campaign: -
ANSWER-$30,000
Time spent in prison for 1st degree murder - ANSWER-5-99 years
Number of Justices serving on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals - ANSWER-9
Number of Texas Counties that rank in the top 15 nationally for issuing death
sentences - ANSWER-9
Average daily cost for supervision of a convicted criminal on parole - ANSWER-$4
Length of sentence time a convicted criminal of a nonviolent crime must serve in
prison - ANSWER-15 years or 25%
Percentage of district court cases that are for homicide - ANSWER-1%
Maximum length of a county jail sentence is what for a Class A misdemeanor crime:
- ANSWER-1 year
Amount a wrongfully imprisoned individual can receive for the rest of their life when
released: - ANSWER-$80,000
Number of DWI convictions before it becomes a felony: - ANSWER-3, on the third it
becomes a 3rd degree felony
Minimum prison time required by federal law that violent criminals spend on their
sentence: - ANSWER-85%
Number of jurors who serve on a misdemeanor trial: - ANSWER-Minimum of 6
