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. The quality in a witness which makes his or her testimony believable.






2. To sentence a person convicted of an offense to pay a penalty in money.






3. A specialized court that hears crimes dealing with traffic offenses.






4. Claim that an act otherwise criminal was legally justifiable because it was necessary to protect a person or property from the threat or action of another.






5. A defense attorney designated by the court to represent a defendant who does not have the funds to retain an attorney. COURT COSTS - The expenses of prosecuting or defending a lawsuit - other than the attorneys' fees. An amount of moneymay be awarded






6. The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.






7. Unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 18 - regardless of whether they consent to the act.






8. An act of legislation of a local governing body such as a city - town or county.






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






10. Money or a written instrument such as a deed that - by agreement between two parties - is held by a neutral third party (held in escrow) until all conditions of the agreement are met.






11. Case - cause - suit - or controversy disputed or contested before a court of justice.






12. A party is said to rest or rest its case when it has presented all the evidence it intends to offer.






13. Mental capacity of a person - especially with regard to his or her ability to stand trial and to assist counsel in his or her defense.






14. Evidence which might unfairly sway the judge or jury to one side or the other.






15. An offer of proof as to what the evidence would be if a witness were called to testify or answer a question.






16. 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.






17. The legal right to bring a lawsuit. Only a person with something at stake has standing to bring a lawsuit.






18. List of cases scheduled for hearing in court.






19. To obtain customers for a whore or prostitute. One who obtains customers for a whore or prostitute.






20. 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.






21. The person who administers an estate. If named in a will - that person's title is an executor . If there is no valid will - that person's title is an administrator.






22. A witness whose testimony is not favorable to the party who calls him or her as a witness. A hostile witness may be asked be cross-examined by the party who calls him or be cross-examined by the party who calls him or leading questions and may her to






23. Punishment - civil or criminal - generally referring to payment of money.






24. The legal document that usually begins a civil lawsuit. It states the facts and identifies the action the court is asked to take. 2. Formal written charge that a person has committed a criminal offense.






25. An order of the court. A final decree is one that fully and finally disposes of the litigation. Aninterlocutory decree is a preliminary order that often disposes of only part of a lawsuit.






26. Antisocial behavior by a minor; especially behavior that would be criminally punishable if the actor were an adult - but instead is usually punished by special laws pertaining only to minors.






27. Elected officer of a county whose job is to conserve peace within his or her territorial jurisdiction as well as aid in the criminal and civil court processes.






28. Keeping all witnesses (except plaintiff and defendant) out of the courtroom except for their time on the stand - and cautioning them not to discuss their testimony with other witnesses. Also called separation of witnesses. This prevents a witness fro






29. A procedure by which a convicted defendant challenges the conviction and/or sentence on the basis of some alleged violation or error.






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






31. Lack of capacity to understand the nature and object of the proceedings - to consult with counsel - and to assist in preparing a defense.






32. A person's own act - or acceptance of facts - which preclude his or her later making claims to the contrary.






33. The judgment formally pronounced by the court or judge upon the defendant after his or her conviction by imposing a punishment to be inflicted either in the form of a fine - incarceration or probation.






34. A claim by a defendant that he or she lacks the soundness of mind required by law to accept responsibility for a criminal act.






35. A legal proceeding in which a debtor's money - in the possession of another (the garnishee) - is applied to the debts of the debtor - such as when an employer garnishes a debtor's wages.






36. A determination of guilt which is the result of a trial or entry of a plea of guilty or nol contendere (no contest) - regardless of whether adjudication of guilt or imposition of sentence was suspended - deferred - or withheld.






37. The hearing given to person accused of crime - by a magistrate or judge - to determine whether there is enough evidence to warrant the confinement and holding to bail the person accused.






38. Trial without a jury in which a judge decides the facts.






39. A reduction in sentenced time in prison as a reward for good behavior. It usually is one-third to one-half of fthe maximum sentence.






40. A gift - not necessarily of monetary value - given to influence the conduct of the receiver.






41. Responsible for a delinquency - crime - or other offense; not innocent.






42. An imaginary situation - incorporating facts previously admitted into evidence - upon which an expert witness is permitted to give an opinion as to a condition resulting from the situation.






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






44. Among other matters - the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits states from depriving any person of life - liberty - or property without adequate due process .






45. A body of persons temporarily selected from the citizens of a particular district sworn to listen to the evidence in a trial and declare a verdict on matters of fact.






46. A lawsuit brought by one or more persons on behalf of a larger group.






47. The unlawful killing of one human being by another.






48. Issues and claims capable of being properly examined in court.






49. 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.






50. In criminal law - a finding of not guilty. In contract law - a release - absolution - or discharge from an obligation - liability - or engagement.