Test your basic knowledge |

Paralegal 101

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 rule requiring that the original document be produced at trial.






2. An affidavit signed by the client indicating that he or she has read the complaint and that its contents are correct.






3. A summary of one legal point in a court opinion; written by the editors at West.






4. A national association of paralegal associations.






5. The revocation of an attorney's license.






6. Intangible assets - such as trade secrets - copyrights - patents - and trade or service marks.






7. A tangible object or a right or ownership interest.






8. Violation of a statute as proof of negligence






9. An issue that the court has never faced before.






10. A rule that states that evidence obtained in violation of an individual's constitutional rights cannot be used against that individual in a criminal trial.






11. When nonlawyers do things that only lawyers are allowed to do. In most states this is a crime.






12. Federal and state rules that govern the admissibility of evidence in court.






13. A rule of evidence that prevents an attorney or a paralegal from being compelled to testify about confidential client information.






14. A nonbinding process in which attorneys for both sides present synopses of their cases to a jury - which renders an advisory opinion on the basis of these presentations.






15. A court's power to hear any type of case arising within its geographical area.






16. Consists of the description of events that a witness testifies to under oath in a legal proceeding.






17. An opinion that disagrees with the majority's decision and its reasoning.






18. Used to describe legislation that changes the common law.






19. The failure to act reasonably under the circumstances.






20. The status of being formally recognized by a nongovernmental organization for having met special criteria - such as fulfilling educational requirements and passing an exam - established by that organization.






21. A court where a permanent record is kept of the testimony - lawyers' remarks - and judges' rulings.






22. The way in which a question of fact is established. Evidence can consist of witness testimony or documents and exhibits. It is the proof presented at a trial.






23. Specific questions that usually demand very short or yes-no answers.






24. The modern pretrial procedure by which one party gains information from the adverse party.






25. The judge informs the jurors of the law they need to know to make their decision.






26. Evidence that suggests the defendant's innocence.






27. A tort committed by one who intends to do the act that creates the harm.






28. A person appointed by the court to manage the affairs or property of a person who is incompetent due to age or some other reason.






29. A verdict ordered by a trial judge if the plaintiff fails to present a prima facie case or if the defendant fails to present a necessary defense.






30. An error made by the trial judge sufficiently serious to warrant reversing the trial court's decision.






31. A fee based on how many hours attorneys or paralegals spend on the case. Different hourly rates are often charged for different attorneys and paralegals within the firm - based on their seniority and experience.






32. A defense requiring proof that the defendant was forced to take an action to avoid a greater harm.






33. Someone in court testifying to what someone said out of court for the purpose of establishing the truth of what was said.






34. The ethical rule prohibiting attorneys and paralegals from disclosing information regarding a client or a client's case.






35. Generally someone operating within the law - representing persons before administrtive agencies that permit this practice.






36. When the law is applied to the client's facts and the result is not obvious - an issue is created.






37. The background documents created during the process of a bill becoming a statute. These documents can include alternative versions of the legislation - proceedings of committee hearings and reports - and transcripts of floor debates.






38. A provision that purports to waive liability.






39. Questions relating to what happened: who - what - when - where - and how.






40. A defense requiring proof that force or a threat of force was used to cause a person to commit a criminal act.






41. The party in a lawsuit against whom an appeal has been filed.






42. The power of the federal government to prevent the states from passing conflicting laws - and sometimes even to prohibit states from passing any laws on a particular subject.






43. To perform.






44. The power of a court to hear a particular type of case.






45. In deductive reasoning - the statement of a broad proposition that forms the starting point; in law - the statement of a legal rule that you can find in a statute or court opinion.






46. Ownership by two or more people. Ownership shares do not have to be equal - but each has an undivided interest in the property. When a tenant in common dies - that person's share passes either by will or by intestate statute.






47. Rules of conduct promulgated and enforced by the government.






48. A group of people - usually 23 - whose function is to determine if probable cause exists to believe that a crime has been committed and that the defendant committed it.






49. A method for excusing a prospective juror; no reason need be given.






50. A national paralegal association.