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. 1. A unit of the judiciary authorized to decide disputed matters of fact - cases or controversies. 2. Figuratively - the judge or judicial officer. Judges sometimes use 'court' to refer to themselves in the third person - as in 'the court has read






2. The first examination of a witness by the counsel who called the witness to testify.






3. The dismissal of a case without preventing the plaintiff from bringing the same cause of action against the defendant in the future.






4. A slang term meaning previous conviction(s) of the accused.






5. Refers to courts that are limited in the types of criminal and civil cases they may hear. For example - traffic violations generally are heard by limited jurisdiction courts.






6. Help - assist - or facilitate the commission of a crime.






7. An established standard - guide - or regulation.






8. In some states - the highest appellate court - where it is the Court's discretion whether to hear the case on appeal.






9. A person to whom the court refers a pending case to take testimony - hear the parties - and report to the court.






10. A special kind of executor - permitted by the laws of certain states - who performs the duties of an executor without intervention by the court.






11. A judge's written explanation of a decision of the court or of a majority of judges. A dissenting opinion disagrees with the majority opinion because of the reasoning and/or the principles of law on which the decision is based. A concurring opinion a






12. Recommendation for a sentence less than the maximum allowed.






13. A party to a lawsuit. Litigation refers to a case - controversy - or lawsuit.






14. To give authority or legal authenticity to a statute - record - or other written instrument.






15. In bankruptcy proceedings - a debt is secured if the debtor gave the creditor a right to repossess the property or goods used as collateral.






16. Refers to courts that have no limit on the types of criminal and civil cases they may hear.






17. 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






18. A reference to a source of legal authority. A direction to appear in court - as when a defendant is cited into court - rather than arrested.






19. One who knowingly - voluntarily - and intentionally unites with the principal offender in the commission ofa crime. A partner in a crime.






20. A special type of guilty plea by which a defendant does not admit guilt but concedes that the State hasufficient evidence to convict; normally made to avoid the threat of greater punishment. Source: Black's Law Dictionary(1996); North Carolina v. Alf






21. Having addressed any matter in writing.






22. Summary of a larger work - wherein the principal ideas of the larger work are contained.






23. Synonymous with reversible error ; an error which warrants the appellate court in reversing the judgment before it.






24. A report to the sentencing judge containing background information about the crime and the defendant to assist the judge in making his or her sentencing decision.






25. The person filing an action in a court of original jurisdiction. Also - the person who appeals the judgment of a lower court. The opposing party is called the respondent.






26. A right guaranteed by the U. S. Constitution - interpreted by the federal courts; also - a right guaranteed by some other constitution (such as a state constitution).






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






28. A misdemeanor or minor offense or comparatively insignificant criminal act.






29. A will whose validity does not have to be testified to in court by the witnesses to it - because the witnesses executed an affidavit reflecting proper execution of the will prior to the maker's death.






30. A criminal case in which the allowable penalty does not include death.






31. The method - established normally by rules to be followed in a case; the formal steps in a judicial proceeding.






32. See DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION STATUTES.






33. An advocate - counsel - or official agent employed in preparing - managing - and trying cases in the courts.






34. Additional juror impaneled in case of sickness or disability of another juror.






35. A sentence of imprisonment to a specified minimum and maximum period of time -specifically authorized by statute - subject to termination by a parole board or other authorized agency after the prisoner has served the minimum term.






36. 1. Arrest record. A written account listing all the instances in which a person has been arrested. 2. A form completed by a police officer when a person is arrested.






37. The taking or detaining of a person against his or her will and without lawful authority.






38. With knowledge - willfully or intentionally with respect to a material element of an offense.






39. A list of cases to be heard by a court - or a log containing brief entries of court proceedings.






40. Giving or pronouncing a judgment or decree. Also the judgment given.






41. Noncriminal case in which one private individual or business sues another to protect - enforce - or redress private or civil rights.






42. An elected constitutional officer serving as an arm of the court with respect to all court filings and related proceedings.






43. A court having jurisdiction to hear appeals and review a trial court's procedure.






44. A ruling by the court against the party making the objection.






45. State-imposed death as punishment for a serious crime. Capital punishment.






46. A court officer who has charge of a court session in the matter of keeping order and has custody of the jury.






47. Pictures taken after a suspect is taken into custody (booked) - usually used as an official photograph by police officers.






48. Voluntary acknowledgment of the existence of certain facts relevant to the adversary's case.






49. A defense to criminal charges alleging that agents of the government induced a person to commit a crime he or she otherwise would not have committed.






50. Procedure by which mortgaged property is sold on default of the mortgagor in satisfaction of mortgage debt.