Test your basic knowledge |

Subject : law
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. An action by which a third person who may be affected by a lawsuit is permitted to become a party to the suit. Differs from the process of becoming an amicus curiae.






2. Statements by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question but heard about it from someone else.Hearsay is usually not admissible as evidence in court.






3. To try issues separately - such as guilt and criminal responsibility in a criminal proceeding or liability and damages in a civil action.






4. An opportunity for lawyers to summarize their position before the court and also to answer the judges' questions.






5. The lack of power or the legal ability to act.






6. The formal statement before the court that the accused admits committing the criminal act.






7. A lesser offense than a felony and generally punishable by fine or limited jail time - but not in a penitentiary.






8. Judge's explanation to the jury before it begins deliberations of the questions it must answer and the applicable law governing the case. Also called charge.






9. The rights of a person guaranteed by the state or federal constitutions.






10. A form of legal co-ownership of property (also known as survivor ship ). At the death of one co-owner - the surviving co-owner becomes sole owner of the property.






11. The court in which a matter must first be filed.






12. 1. The process of removing some minor criminal traffic - or juvenile cases from the full judicial process - on the condition that the accused undergo some sort of rehabilitation or make restitution for damages. 2. Unauthorized use of funds.






13. Specific factors that define a crime which the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt in order to obtain a conviction. The elements that must be proven are 1) that a crime has actually occurred - 2) the accused intended the crime to happen






14. List of cases scheduled for hearing in court.






15. A sentence postponed in which the defendant is not required to serve time unless he or she commits another crime or violates a court-imposed condition.






16. Supplementary evidence that tends to strengthen or confirm the initial evidence.






17. An official or formal statement of facts or proceedings.






18. Unlawful intercourse with an individual without their consent.






19. A written accusation alleging a defendant has committed an offense. Includes a citation - an indictment - information - and statement of charges.






20. The transfer of a state case to federal court for trial; in civil cases - because the parties are from different states; in criminal and some civil cases - because there is a significant possibility that there could not be a fair trial in state court






21. 1. To discuss - ponder or reflect upon before reaching a decision. A judge will usually deliberate before announcing a judgment. 2. Intentional - characterized by consideration and awareness.






22. The referral of a dispute to an impartial third person chosen by the parties to the dispute who agree in advance to abide by the arbitrator's award issued after a hearing at which both parties have an opportunity to be heard.






23. An order made by a court having competent jurisdiction. Rules of court are either general or special; the former are the regulations by which the practice of the court is governed - the latter are special orders made in particular cases.






24. See DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION STATUTES.






25. Evidence which is of greater weight or more convincing than the evidence which is offered in opposition to it.






26. The act of obtaining the property of another person through wrongful use of actual or threatened force - violence - or fear.






27. The lawyer who represents a client and is entitled to receive all formal documents from the court or from other parties. Also known as counsel of record.






28. The breaking or violating of a law - right - obligation - or duty either by doing an act or failing to do an act. BREAKING AND ENTERING - Breaking and entering a dwelling of another in nighttime with intent to commit a felony therein.






29. A chronological summary of all official records and recorded documents affecting the title to aparcel of real property.






30. Behavior that is obscene - lustful - indecent - vulgar.






31. To call into question the truthfulness of a witness.






32. The generic name for the defendant in a criminal case.






33. Words - gestures - and actions which tend to annoy - alarm - and verbally abuse another person.






34. Language in a will that provides that a person who makes a legal challenge to the will's validity will be disinherited.






35. An honest belief - the absence of malice - and the absence of design to defraud.






36. Standards governing whether evidence in a civil or criminal case is admissible.






37. A meeting either on or off the record at the judge's bench between the judge - counsel - and sometimes the defendant - out of the hearing of the jury.






38. A place of confinement that is more than a police station and less than a prison. It is usually used to hold persons convicted of misdemeanors or persons awaiting trial.






39. A trust that the grantor may change or revoke.






40. To act in accordance with - to accept - to obey.






41. Legal debts and obligations.






42. The court transfer of legal custody of a person from parents or legal guardian to another person - agency - or institution. It may be temporary or permanent.






43. A legal doctrine that makes each of the parties who are responsible for an injury liable for all the damages awarded in a lawsuit if the other parties responsible cannot pay.






44. To lose - or lose the right to.






45. A lawsuit brought to enforce - redress - or protect private rights or to gain payment for a wrong done to a person or party by another person or party. In general - all types of actions other than criminal proceedings.






46. The final decision of the court - resolving the dispute; an opinion; an award of damages.






47. A phrase commonly applied to counsel employed to assist in the preparation or management of the case - or its presentation on appeal - but who is not the principal attorney for the party.






48. Without denying the charge - the defendant raises circumstances such as insanity - self-defense -or entrapment to avoid civil or criminal responsibility.






49. A proceeding instituted and carried on in order to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused.






50. Fatherhood.