Criminal & Civil Law I
A panel of 12 people, used only in cases involving felonies, which determines if there is enough cause to warrant a trial for a person accused of a crime.
What is a [Grand Jury]?
The area of civil law concerned with compensating those who've been harmed by the actions of another party.
What is [Tort Law]?
This type of prison is more abundant in Texas compared to any other state.
When government-run prisons are overcrowded, these types of for-profit prisons may take in excess prisoners.
What are [Private Prisons]?
A progressive tax by which those who make larger amounts of money pay higher amounts of taxes.
Notably, Texas does not this sort of tax.
What is an [Income Tax]?
A federal assistance program, administered by the states, which provides health care services for low-income families and individuals with disabilities.
What is [Medicaid]?
Both the U.S. and Texas Constitutions protect accused persons against illegal search and seizure by the government.
In the absence of a warrant, this is what police officers cite when investigating suspicious place or individual.
What is [Probable Cause]?
District Attorneys/Prosecutors tend to offer this to those who've been charged with a crime.
In exchange for a guilty plea, the the prosecution gives the accused a reduced sentence and saves both parties time and money.
What is a [Plea Deal (or Plea Bargain)]?
This term describes the process of removing the voting rights of those who've been convicted of felonies, even after they've served out their sentences.
Voting rights are restored only after petitioning a judge.
What is [(criminal) Disenfranchisement]?
The budgetary/finance system used in Texas, which prevents the government from spending more money than it receives in revenue.
Essentially, the Texas government is unable to take on debt.
What is [Pay-As-You-Go]?
A reaction to a Texas Supreme Court case in 1989, in which the Edgewood Independent School District sued over inequalities between high-income and low-income school districts.
Required wealthier school districts to share tax revenue with poor districts.
What is the [Robin Hood Plan]?
Literally means "for the public good." This is the public service that attorneys perform when they take on cases for clients without expecting payment.
What is [Pro Bono]?
These rights are what require law enforcement to inform all arrested persons of their right to remain silent, as well as their right to an attorney.
What are [Miranda Rights]?
A high rate of this means that criminal offenders are very likely to repeat their crimes, while a low rate translates to them being unlikely to re-offend after release.
Professor Taylor mentions that Texas' rate for this is roughly 40%.
What is [Recidivism]?
Funds within the state budget that're required to be spent for specific purposes.
For example, education has several sources of funding that may not be spent on anything else.
What is [Dedicated Revenue]?
The term which describes policies that actively seek to increase the number or proportion of women or minorities within an organization (e.g., businesses, government agencies or universities).
What is [Affirmative Action]?
Along with the Texas Penal Code, this document serves as the principle criminal code in Texas.
It describes how criminal justice is to proceed, as well as protections of both victims and the accused.
What is the [Texas Code of Criminal Procedure]?
The most severe classification of crime under Texas law, under which the prosecution may recommend the death penalty.
Occurs when an individual intentionally causes the death of another under special circumstances.
What is a [Capital Offense (or Capital Felony)]?
Often recommended during sentencing for juveniles in hopes of allowing them to more easily reintegrate into society.
In exchange for community services, treatment and probation, no permanent charges will appear on the individual's criminal record.
What is [Deferred Adjudication]?
A tax which disproportionately affects those with lower-incomes, due to being applied flatly and uniformly across all individuals.
For example, sales tax is very likely to be a much larger percentage of a low-income person's income compared to a person making more money.
What is a [Regressive Tax]?
The governmental assistance program providing health insurance for the children of working parents who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but are unable to afford private coverage.
What is the [Children's Health Insurance Program (or CHIP)]?
The process by which potential jurors are interviewed/examined in order to form a competent and impartial jury.
What is [Voir Dire]?
The first appearance of an arrested person in court before a judge, during which he or she is informed of the charges against them, as well as their right to legal counsel.
If the accused pleas not guilty, the judge may set bail.
What is [Arraignment]?
Located in Polk County of West Livingston, Texas. Noteworthy for being the current facility to house Texas' death row prisoners.
What is the [Polunsky Unit]?
The source of approximately 23% of UTSA's funding (according to Professor Taylor.)
A land- and mineral-rich endowment that benefits the UT and Texas A&M University systems.
What is the [Permanent University Fund]?
Compared to other states, Texas lacks a railway system traveling between its major cities, and instead relies on its highway system.
The Texas constitution dedicates the majority of highway funding to come from these two sources of revenue.
What are [Motor Fuels Taxes and Motor Vehicle (Registration) Taxes]?