Chapter 1 Overview - police averages approximately: a. 100,000 b. ...

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Chapter 1 Overview

Multiple Choice

• It has been estimated that, since the 1990s, annual filing of civil lawsuits against

police averages approximately:

• 100,000
• 50,000
• 30,000
• 10,000

Answer: c

• Data suggested that, by 2006, allegations of civil rights violations were resolved by

juries in what percentage of cases that proceeded to trial?

• 12%
• 35%
• 65%
• 87%

Answer: d

• Plaintiffs are more likely to prevail in litigation against law enforcement officials

when the basis of the suit is over:

• Excessive force
• Failure to train
• Strip searches
• Unconstitutional agency policy

Answer: c

• Which of the following statements best captures police officer attitudes toward civil

liability?

• Most police officers have been sued and have negative attitudes toward civil

sanctions against police.

• Most police officers have NOT been sued and have negative attitudes toward civil

sanctions against police.

• Most police officers have been sued and have positive attitudes toward civil

sanctions against police.

• Most police officers have NOT been sued and have positive attitudes toward civil

sanctions against police.

Answer: b.

(Civil Liability in Criminal Justice, 7e Darrell Ross) (Test Bank all Chapters) 1 / 4

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• Civil suits by prisoners under Title 42, Section 1983 of the United States Code

exploded following the United States Supreme Court case of:

• Cooper v. Pate (1964)
• Farmer v. Brennan (1994)
• Scott v. Harris (2007)
• Anderson v. Creighton (1987)

Answer: a.

• Most suits filed by prisoners are resolved at what stage of the proceedings?
• A verdict following a trial on the merits of the case.
• Settlement immediately before the beginning of the trial.
• Settlement following discovery.
• At the pleading stage.

Answer: d.

• A 1992 study found that most civil rights complaints filed by prisoners were filed

against:

• Correctional supervisors
• Correctional officers
• Medical personnel
• Other prisoners

Answer: b.

• Darrell Ross found that prisoners filed their lawsuit without legal counsel in what

percentage of cases?

• 10%
• 37%
• 66%
• 92%

Answer: d.

• Prisoner lawsuits have declined since 2000 as a result of what federal law?
• Fair Debt Collection Act
• Prisoner Litigation Reform Act
• Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act
• 42 U.S.C. § 1983

Answer: b.

• Which of the following statements is true? 2 / 4

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• In 1995, there were three times as many §1983 lawsuits than habeas corpus

petitions filed by prisoner plaintiffs.

• In 1995, there were three times as many habeas corpus petitions than §1983

lawsuits filed by prisoner plaintiffs.

• In 2000, there were three times as many §1983 lawsuits than habeas corpus

petitions filed by prisoner plaintiffs.

• In 2015, there were three times as many habeas corpus petitions than §1983

lawsuits filed by prisoner plaintiffs.

Answer: a.

• A study reported that the average time from filing to resolution of civil rights cases

in federal courts was:

• Two years
• One year
• 10 months
• Six months

Answer: c.

• A plaintiff will be awarded punitive damages in what percentage of tort cases?
• 63%
• 54%
• 12%
• 5%

Answer: d.

13. High profile civil cases involving law enforcement personnel include:

• Rodney King and Los Angeles police officers
• Amadou Diallo and New York police officers
• Randy Weaver family and U.S. Marshalls
• All of the above

Answer: d.

• A study of cases in federal district courts in New York, found that monetary damages

were awarded in what percentage of cases?

• 10%
• 21%
• 30%
• 45%

Answer: c.

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• Which U.S. city was reported to have paid more in damages over police litigation

than any other?

• New York
• Detroit
• Chicago
• Houston

Answer: b.

True-False

• There is no systematic method for collecting information relating to police civil

litigation.

• True.
• False

Answer: a

• Most civil cases filed against police officers that result in financial awards to

plaintiffs are decided by judge or jury verdicts.

• True
• False

Answer: b.

• A majority of police academy cadets reported that fear of being sued was a rational

emotion.

• True
• False

Answer: a.

• Overall, police officers lose more often than plaintiffs in civil litigation.
• True
• False

Answer b.

• Prisoners are more likely than the general public to file lawsuits.
• True
• False

Answer: b.

Discussion

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