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. Evidence not sufficiently related to the matter in issue.






2. Having no force - legal power to bind - or validity.






3. Stealing or theft.






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






5. A court in which the proceedings are recorded - transcribed - and maintained as permanent records.






6. A person who is the liable party in paying the bond for the defendant's release from jail.






7. Conduct which tends to annoy all citizens - including unnecessary and distractingnoisemaking.






8. A claim by codefendant or co-plaintiffs against each other and not against persons on the opposite side of the lawsuit.






9. Each of the allegations of an offense listed in a charging document.






10. The procedure by which one or both parties disclose evidence which will be used at trial. The specific tools of discovery include depositions - interrogatories and motions for the production of documents.






11. A motion to dismiss a civil case because of the legal insufficiency of a complaint.






12. The act of taking money - personal property - or any other article of value that is in the possession of another done by means of force or fear.






13. A defendant's statement in mitigation of punishment.






14. A meeting between the judge and the lawyers involved in a lawsuit to narrow the issues in the suit - agree on what will be presented at the trial - and make a final effort to settle the case without a trial.






15. The act of taking and carrying away the personal property of another of a value less than $300 with the intent to deprive the owner or possessor of it permanently.






16. The person who sets up a trust.






17. A program of parental care for children who do not have an in-home parental relationship with either biological or adoptive parents.






18. 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.






19. The heading on a legal document listing the parties - the court - the case number - and related information.






20. An assault committed with the intention of committing some additional crime.






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






22. An offensive touching or use of force on one's spouse without the spouse's consent.






23. A federal or state public building or other place for the confinement of persons. It is used as either a punishment imposed by the law or otherwise in the course of the administration of justice






24. An offensive touching or use of force on a person without the person's consent.






25. 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.






26. In civil cases when it is necessary to preserve the status quo prior to trial - the court may issue a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order ordering a party to carry out a specified activity.






27. To put off or delay a court hearing.






28. The reduction by a judge of the damages awarded by a jury.






29. Taking a person's property to satisfy a court-ordered debt.






30. 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.






31. Placing a convicted defendant on conditional probation - the successful completion of which will prevent entry of the underlying judgment of conviction






32. A person who initiates a lawsuit against another. Also called the complainant.






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






34. Pertinent and proper to be considered in reaching a decision.






35. 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






36. A form of alternative dispute resolution in which the parties bring their dispute to a neutral third party - who helps lower tensions - improve communications - and explore possible solutions. Conciliation is similar to mediation - but it may be less






37. The degree of certainty required for a juror to legally find a criminal defendant guilty






38. The defendant's response to the plaintiff's allegations as stated in a complaint. An item-by-item - paragraph-by-paragraph response to points made in a complaint; part of the pleadings.






39. 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.






40. The seat occupied by judges in courts.






41. The closing statement - by counsel - to the trier of facts after all parties have concluded their presentation of evidence.






42. All evidence except eyewitness testimony. One example is physical evidence - such as fingerprints - from which an inference can be drawn.






43. A phrase used to denote a hypothetical person who exercises qualities of attention - knowledge - intelligence - and judgment that society requires of its members for the protection of his or her own interest and the interests of others.






44. A judge's private office. A hearing in chambers takes place in the judge's office outside of the presence of the jury and the public.






45. The obligation of a party to establish by evidence a requisite degree of belief concerning a fact in the mind of the trier of fact or the court.






46. Facts that do not constitute a justification or excuse for an offense but which may be considered as reasons for reducing the degree of blame.






47. A forejudgment - bias - a preconceived opinion.






48. A legal inquiry to discover and collect facts concerning a certain matter.






49. 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.






50. A failure to respond to a lawsuit within the specified time.