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. Member of the jury.






2. 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






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






4. 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.






5. Immorality. An element of crimes inherently bad - as opposed to crimes bad merely because they are forbidden by statute.






6. An agreement by two or more persons to commit an unlawful act; in criminal law - conspiracy is a separate offense from the crime that is the object of the conspiracy.






7. A written order issued by a court directing a sheriff or peace officer to take custody of and bring before the court: 1) A witness who fails to comply with a subpoena - 2) a party who fails to comply with a court order in a civil action - or 3) a mat






8. A case summary or commentary on the law cases - statutes - and rules illustrating its interpretation.






9. Body of federal or state law dealing with procedural aspects of trial for criminal cases.






10. The testimony of witnesses who know the general character and reputation of a person in the community in which he or she lives.






11. The person who sets up a trust. Also called the grantor.






12. Process by which a court seeks to interpret the meaning and scope of legislation.






13. The court officer responsible for choosing the panel of persons to serve as potential jurors for a particular court term.






14. The procedure where the accused is brought before the court to hear the criminal charge(s) against him or her and to enter a plea of either guilty - not guilty or no contest.






15. Lack of mental capacity to do or abstain from doing a particular act; inability to distinguish right from wrong. State of mind rendering a defendant incapable of distinguishing between right and wrong - such that he or shecannot be held accountable f






16. The process of photographing - fingerprinting - and recording identifying data of a suspect. This process follows the arrest.






17. Recommendation for a sentence less than the maximum allowed.






18. Aka PROSECUTOR and DISTRICT ATTORNEY.






19. Oral or written request made by a party to an action before - during - or after a trial asking the judge to issue a ruling or order in that party's favor.






20. There are essentially three standards of proof applicable in most court proceedings. In criminal cases - the offense must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt - the highest standard. In civil cases and neglect and dependency proceedings - the lowest






21. A phrase commonly applied to counsel employed to assist in the preparation or management of the case - or its presentation on appeal - but who is not the principal attorney for the party.






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






23. Giving or pronouncing a judgment or decree. Also the judgment given.






24. A written or verbal command from a court directing or forbidding an action.






25. Yearly judicial review - usually in juvenile dependency cases - to determine whether the child requirescontinued court supervision or placement.






26. Persons trained in the law who assist judges in researching legal opinions.






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






28. 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.






29. Public official charged with duty to make inquiry into the causes and circumstances of any death which occurs through violence or suddenly - with marks of suspicion.






30. 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 .






31. A short - abbreviated form of the case as found in the record.






32. The first questioning of witnesses by the party on whose behalf they are called.






33. Illegal sex acts performed against a minor by a parent - guardian - relative or acquaintance.






34. A state examination taken by prospective lawyers in order to be admitted and licensed to practice law.






35. Substantial reason - one that affords a legal excuse.






36. The act of staking money - or other thing of value - on an uncertain event or outcome.






37. The process by which one state or country surrenders to another state - a person accused or convicted of a crime in the other state.






38. A misdemeanor or minor offense or comparatively insignificant criminal act.






39. The act of sending a case back to the trial court and ordering the trial court to conduct limited new hearings or an entirely new trial.






40. Punishment by death for capital crimes. Death penalty.






41. Formal conclusion by a judge or jury on issues of fact.






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






43. A formal written document filed by the prosecutor detailing the criminal charges against the defendant. An alternative to an indictment - it serves to bring a defendant to trial.






44. Words - gestures - and actions which tend to annoy - alarm - and verbally abuse another person.






45. A mutual understanding and intention between two or more parties. The writing or instrument which isevidence of an agreement. (Although often used as synonymous with contract - agreement is a broader term.)






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






47. A special kind of executor - permitted by the laws of certain states - who performs the duties of an executor without intervention by the court.






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






49. A punitive act designed to secure enforcement by imposing a penalty for its violation. For example - a sanction may be imposed for failure to comply with discovery orders.






50. The state or condition of a person who is unable to pay his or her debts as they are or become due.