The Judicial Branch

This picture shows a group of people at a Florida criminal trial. What is the purpose of this group?

• to decide if there is enough evidence to charge the suspect with a serious crime

• to listen to a case and agree that the plaintiff did what they were accused of doing

• to decide if the defendant owes money to the plaintiff by a preponderance of the evidence

• to listen to a case and come to a unanimous decision about the defendant’s guilt or innocence

How can Americans ensure fair trials for those accused of crimes?

• vote on election day

• serve on a criminal jury

• write their representative

• volunteer with the investigation

The passage below includes a fictional scenario. Based on the scenario, the voir dire process would lead to which decision?

• The defendant’s lawyer challenges jury candidate 25 for cause.

• Jury candidate 25 is chosen by the defendant’s and plaintiff’s lawyers.

• Jury candidate 25 is not chosen by the lawyers on a peremptory challenge.

• The plaintiff’s lawyer objects to Jury candidate 25 because he has no income.

This flowchart illustrates a selection process necessary to guarantee our constitutional rights. What completes the title for the flowchart?

• witness

• counsel

• judge

• jury

Which statement best describes the role of juries in Florida’s judicial system?

• twelve jurors required for civil and criminal cases

• constitutionally ordered for civil and criminal cases

• must reach a unanimous verdict for civil and criminal cases

• guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution for civil and criminal cases

The passage below contains a fictional scenario. The defendant in a criminal case will have his trial within one month. The defendant’s mother was called for jury duty and is chosen to serve on the jury for his case. What part of the Sixth Amendment has been violated in this scenario?

• public trial

• impartial jury

• witness confrontation

• assistance of counsel

What is a qualification for a person serving on a jury?

• have a driver’s license

• be able to understand English

• have lived in the United States for at least 6 years

• be a registered voter in the court’s jurisdiction

How does the process of voir dire support the accused’s rights found in the Sixth Amendment?

• It provides lawyers for the defendants if they cannot afford to hire one.

• It assures that the details of the crime are made known to all members of the court.

• It gives the court an opportunity to disqualify jurors based on potential bias.

• It allows both sides of the case to have experts or eyewitnesses testify about the case.

Which type of case is heard in both state and federal courts?

• traffic violations

• inheritance matters

• issues involving the U.S. Constitution

• disputes involving citizens of other countries

In which scenario would a judge issue a summary judgment?

• The judge accepts the request of the plaintiff to waive a jury trial.

• The judge believes the case lacks enough evidence to go to trial.

• The judge has already determined the guilt or innocence of the defendant.

• The judge determines whether the accused should be held in jail without bail.