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. A request made to the court.






2. A lawsuit brought by a person as a representative for a group of people who have been similarly injured.






3. The papers that begin a lawsuit-generally - the complaint and the answer.






4. A determination that an attorney may not practice law for a set period of time.






5. An act by a landlord that makes the premises unfit or unsuitable for occupancy.






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






7. An introductory paragraph listing issues to be discussed in the order they are to be discussed.






8. The person who is being asked questions at a deposition.






9. Land and objects permanently attached to land.






10. The power of the federal courts to hear matters of state law if the opposing parties are from different states and the amounts in controversy exceeds $75 -000.00






11. An approach whereby the courts give a statute a narrow interpretation.






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






13. A criminal proceeding at which the court informs the defendant of the charges being brought against him or her and the defendant enters a plea.






14. A trial ended by the judge because of a major problem - such as a prejudicial statement by one of the attorneys.






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






16. 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.






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






18. In logic - an argument is considered to be valid or sound if the assumption underlying the argument are true.






19. A national organization of paralegal programs that promotes high standards for paralegal education.






20. What the prosecution or plaintiff must be able to prove in order for the case to go to the jury-that is - the elements of the prosecution's case or the plaintiff's cause of action.






21. A computerized database that contains key information about the content of documents - such as medical records.






22. A request that the court order that certain information not be mentioned in the presence of the jury.






23. A statute that changes the common law.






24. Computer codes that - when clicked on with a mouse - connect the user to other web pages with related information






25. The opinion of a jury on a question of fact.






26. Standard used by appellate courts when reviewing a trial court's findings of fact.






27. The law itself - such as statutes and court opinions.






28. Occurs when the police restrain a person's freedom and charge the person with a crime.






29. A court order requiring a party to perform a specific act or to cease doing a specific act.






30. Information about what happened procedurally to the cited case before it was heard by the cited court. Do not include this information in a citation.






31. An examination of a prospective juror to see if he or she is fit to serve as a juror on a specific case.






32. A judicial philosophy that supports a limited role for the judiciary in changing the law - including deference to the legislative branch.






33. Attorney compensation as a percentage of the amount recovered rather than a flat amount of money or an hourly fee.






34. A compilation of federal or state statutes in which the statutes are organized by subject matter rather than by year of enactment.






35. A defense whereby the defendant offers new evidence to avoid judgment.






36. Money awarded to a plaintiff in cases of intentional torts in order to punish the defendant and serve as a warning to others.






37. The authority of a court to hear a case when it is initiated - as opposed to appellate jurisdiction.






38. The heading section of a pleading that contains the names of the parties - the name of the court - the title of the action - the docket or file number - and the name of the pleading.






39. A requirement that property be fit for the purpose for which it is being rented. Owners are required to repair and maintain the premises at certain minimum levels.






40. A judgment entered against a party who fails to complete a required step - such as answering the complaint.






41. Information that tells the reader the name of the case - where it can be located - the court that decided it - and the year it was decided. The Bluebook gives precise rules as to how case citations are to be written.






42. Establishes a direct link to the event that must be proven.






43. Something of value exchanged to form the basis of a contract.






44. A person who assists an attorney and - working under the attorney's supervision - does tasks that - absent the paralegal - the attorney would do. A paralegal cannot give advice or appear in court.






45. Ownership by two or more persons who have equal rights in the use of the property. When a joint tenant dies - that person's share passes to the other joint tenant(s).






46. A contract that outlines the attorney's duties and the client's obligations regarding payment - on either an hourly or a contingency fee basis - as well as the client's responsibility reagarding costs and expenses.






47. A request that the court release the defendant because of the illegality of the incarceration.






48. A defense requiring proof that the defendant would not have committed the crime but for police trickery.






49. Including more than one count in a complaint; the counts do not need to be consistent.






50. Examples of legal writing include case briefs - law office memoranda - and documents filed with the court.