Criminal Justice Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the Criminal Justice Test with our study materials. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Ace your exam confidently!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What are reductions in sentences for death row inmates granted by a state's governor called?

Commutations
Proportionality reviews
Appellate reviews
Habeas corpus petitions

The correct answer is: Commutations

The term used for reductions in sentences for death row inmates that are granted by a state's governor is known as commutations. Commutations involve the governor's authority to lessen the severity of a sentence or to convert a death sentence into a lesser penalty, such as life imprisonment. This power serves as a critical check within the criminal justice system, allowing for mercy in cases where the governor believes that the circumstances warrant a change in the sentence. Other processes like proportionality reviews typically assess whether a death sentence is consistent with sentences imposed in similar cases, and appellate reviews involve higher courts examining the decisions made in a trial court. Habeas corpus petitions are legal actions used to challenge the legality of a person's detention or imprisonment, but they do not pertain specifically to the governor's powers over sentencing. Thus, commutations distinctly refer to the reduction or alteration of sentences at the discretion of the governor, making it the correct answer.