A
A juvenile Texan committed capital murder when 16 years of age. Under Texas state law, when can the juvenile be transferred to an adult prison?
At 19 years of age
Which agency investigates negligence and misconduct regarding DNA evidence in criminal cases?
Texas Forensic Science Commission
What is the system of classifying felonies as first, second, or third degree depending on the nature of the crime called?
Graded penalties
Which kind of courts are juvenile courts?
Civil courts
When someone has been found guilty of a capital offense, how many jurors must agree to the death sentence for it to be carried out?
All of them
Which felony classification is the most serious and subject to the harshest punishment?
Capital felony
Which of these is one of the four stated purposes of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice?
To assist crime victims
Who appoints the 11 board members of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department?
The governor
Which scientific development has shown that some persons sentenced to death actually did not commit the crime?
DNA testing
In juvenile law, what is an adjudication hearing?
A trial
Why does Texas imprison lawbreakers?
To punish, rehabilitate, and isolate offenders, and to deter crime
Which of these would be classified as a status offense?
Failing to attend school
In Texas, what factors determine the punishment a convicted individual receives?
The severity and category of the crime
Why did the U.S. Supreme Court find the death penalty unconstitutional in the 1972 Furman v. Georgia case?
The use of the death penalty was found to be arbitrary and racially biased.
Who represents the state of Texas in criminal cases?
A district attorney
In which case did the Supreme Court rule that the death penalty may not be used for punishment on anyone under 18 years of age?
Roper v. Simmons
What motivations constitute hate crimes?
Hatred towards race and sexual orientation
Over the past three decades, which state executed the greatest number capital felons?
Texas
Which is a common barrier to successfully reintegrating prisoners back into society after release?
Difficulty finding employment
What is the minimum sentence for a capital felony in the state of Texas?
Life without parole
What is the term for when a prisoner re-offends after being released from confinement for a prior offense?
Recidivism
What is it called when a prosecutor agrees to make a deal if the defendant pleads guilty to specific charges, in return for specific concessions?
A plea bargain
Which of the following statements accurately describes how the courts handle juvenile offenders in Texas?
Texas automatically directs 17-year-olds into the adult criminal justice system.
Which of the following would be subject to enhancement under the Texas Penal Code?
A crime committed by a street gang
What is the Texas Penal Code?
It is a body of law relating to crime and punishment.