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. Act of the client in employing the attorney or counsel. Also denotes the fee the client pays when he or she retains the attorney to act for him or her.






2. The final decision of the court - resolving the dispute; an opinion; an award of damages.






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






4. Outline or summary of the nature of the case and of the anticipated proof presented by the attorney to the jury before any evidence is submitted. Also known as opening argument .






5. A written statement prepared by the counsel arguing a case in court. It contains a summary of the facts of a case -the pertinent laws - and an argument of how the law applies to the facts supporting counsel's position.






6. 1. One who has been convicted of a criminal offense. 2. That which is connected with the law of crimes; That which has the character of a crime (criminal justice; criminal intent).






7. A second examination of a witness by the counsel who called the witness to testify. This examination is usually focused on certain matters that were discussed by the opposing counsel's examination.






8. A previously decided case that guides the decision of future cases.






9. The act of not following an order that is directed by the court.






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






11. 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.






12. 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






13. Legal document issued by a court that shows an administrator's legal right to take control of assets in the deceased person's name.






14. An action for the recovery of a possession that has been wrongfully taken.






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






16. See DESCENT AND DISTRIBUTION STATUTES.






17. To lose - or lose the right to.






18. A legal doctrine that makes each of the parties who are responsible for an injury liable for all the damages awarded in a lawsuit if the other parties responsible cannot pay.






19. Willful destruction of property - from actual ill will or resentment toward its owner or possessor.






20. The reduction of a sentence - such as from death to life imprisonment.






21. 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.






22. The judge's instructions to the jury concerning the law that applies to the facts of the case on trial.






23. A picture of an alleged criminal created by a professional police artist using verbal descriptionsgiven by the victim or a witness.






24. A protest to the court against an act or omission by the opposing party.






25. A trust that the grantor may change or revoke.






26. Written or oral pledge by a witness to speak the truth.






27. In juvenile court - a judicial hearing - usually held after the filing of a petition - to determine interim custody of a minor pending a judgment.






28. Money or other security (such as a bail bond) provided to the court to temporarily allow a person's release from jail and assure his or her appearance in court. Bail and Bond are often used interchangeably.






29. To change - correct - revise - improve - modify - or alter.






30. The state - as in the People of the State of Florida.






31. A belief in the American legal system which states that all people accused of a criminal act are considered not to have committed the crime until the evidence leaves no doubt in the mind of the court or the jury .






32. Written questions asked by one party in a lawsuit for which the opposing party must provide written answers.






33. The right to challenge a juror without assigning a reason for the challenge.






34. 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.






35. The department that oversees the actions of probationers as well as the location of where probation officers work.






36. A suit which has been quashed and ended.






37. Officer of the court who files pleadings - motions - judgments - etc. - issues process - and keeps records of court proceedings.






38. A statement of all important facts - which all the parties agree is true and correct -which is submitted to a court for ruling.






39. A person who makes and signs an affidavit.






40. Legal dissolution of a marriage by a court. Also termed dissolutionof marriage.






41. A prison or place of confinement where convicted felons are sent to serve out the term of their sentence.






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






43. 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.






44. A sentence imposed for the commission of a crime whereby a convicted criminal offender is released into the community - usually under conditions and under the supervision of a probation officer - instead of incarceration.






45. An order requiring a person to appear in court and present reasons why a certain order - judgment - or decree should not be issued.






46. The person to whom property rights or power are transferred by another - a grantee.






47. The lack of power or the legal ability to act.






48. A lawsuit - litigation - or action. Any question - civil or criminal - litigated or contested before a court of justice.






49. Unlawful killing of another - without malice - when the death is caused by some other unlawful act not usually expected to result in great bodily harm.






50. Cancellation by a court of a warrant before its execution by the arrest of a defendant; also - a process by which a retired judge may be asked to sit on a particular case.