Legal System and Judiciary Quiz

What is one of the key powers and responsibilities of a judge in a trial?

• To rule on the admissibility of evidence

• To conduct the cross-examination of witnesses

• To negotiate plea bargains

• To prepare the case for trial

What is 'jury equity' or fairness in the context of a trial?

• A decision made by the defence to order a re-trial

• A decision made by the jury against what the law says but in the interests of justice

• A decision made by the judge without the involvement of the jury

• A decision made by the prosecution to dismiss the case

Under what circumstances may a judge sit without a jury according to the Criminal Justice Act 2003?

• In cases where there is a risk of jury tampering

• In cases where the media and politicians pressure the judge to sit without a jury

• In cases where the defendant requests a trial without a jury

• In cases where the judge is biased against the jury

What is the main source of our laws according to the text?

• Common law from precedent and statute law made by the legal profession

• Common law from precedent and statute law made by the executive branch

• Common law from precedent and statute law made by the judiciary

• Common law from precedent and statute law made by Parliament

How does politics influence the outcome of criminal cases through public-interest immunity (PII) certificates?

• By influencing the judge's decision on the admissibility of evidence

• By influencing the jury's decision on the verdict

• By preventing sensitive evidence from being revealed in court

• By allowing sensitive evidence to be revealed in court

What is one potential danger if the judge is biased in a case?

• The judge may be overly sympathetic to the higher social classes

• The judge may influence the jury to bring in a 'perverse decision'

• The judge may have difficulty understanding complex fraud cases

• The judge may dismiss the case without proper consideration

What was the impact of the riots in 2011 on the sentences handed down by the courts?

• The courts handed down more lenient sentences

• The courts handed down more severe sentences

• The courts dismissed all cases related to the riots

• The courts did not change their sentencing practices

What is the role of Court of Appeal judges in deciding the outcome of a case?

• They have no role in deciding the outcome of a case

• They conduct the initial trial and make the final decision on the verdict

• They advise the jury on the admissibility of evidence

• They re-hear the case without a jury and can uphold/reverse the original verdict

What is the main reason for the slow progress in achieving equal numbers of male and female judges?

• Lack of interest from female candidates in becoming judges

• Lack of political will to appoint female judges

• Lack of support from the legal profession for female candidates

• Lack of opportunities for female candidates to become judges

What is the role of the government in making statute law according to the text?

• The government proposes legislation, which Parliament debates and sometimes amends

• The government has no role in making statute law

• The government directly passes Acts of Parliament without debate

• The government only enforces laws made by the judiciary