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. 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.






2. A child born or adopted after a will is executed - who is not provided for in the will.






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






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






5. Evidence which is of greater weight or more convincing than the evidence which is offered in opposition to it.






6. The appellate court has the right to review and revise the lower court decision.






7. 1. A person who has been found guilty of a crime and is serving a sentence for that crime; a prison inmate. 2. To find a person guilty of an offense by either a trial or a plea of guilty.






8. The act that caused an event to occur. A person generally is liable only if an injury was proximately caused by his or her action or by his or her failure to act when he or she had a duty to act.






9. 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.






10. A procedure by which a charge(s) against a minor is transferred from a juvenile to circuit court.






11. The doctrine that the government - state or federal - is immune to lawsuit unless it gives its consent.






12. A hearing in which certain rights are respected such as the right to present evidence - to cross examine and to have findings supported by evidence.






13. An action between two or more persons in the courts of law - not a criminal matter.






14. 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.






15. An honest belief - the absence of malice - and the absence of design to defraud.






16. A false statement given while under oath or in a sworn affidavit.






17. Postponing the effect of a judgment already entered - ordinarily because of an error apparent on the record .






18. 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.






19. An invalid trial caused by some legal error. When a judge declares a mistrial - the trial must start again from the beginning - including the selection of a new jury.






20. The matter can only be filed in one court.






21. 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.






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






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






24. 1. A statement of acceptance of responsibility. 2. The short declaration at the end of a legal paper showing that the paper was duly executed and acknowledged.






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






26. In the practice of appellate courts - the word means that the decision of the trial court is correct.






27. The physical location where the defense and prosecuting parties are seated throughout the duration of the trial.






28. 1. To execute - perpetrate - or carry out an act. To commit a crime. 2. To send a person to prison - asylum - or reformatory by a court order.






29. A listing of all the criminal convictions against an individual.






30. 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






31. The response by a party to charges raised in a pleading by the other party.






32. Law established by previous decisions of appellate courts - particularly the Supreme Court.






33. Ordinarily refers to a summary proceeding for restoring possession of land to one who has been wrongfully deprived of possession.






34. Pre-trial release based on the person's own promise that he or she will show up for trial (no bond required). Also referred to as release on own recognizance or ROR.






35. A court officer who has charge of a court session in the matter of keeping order and has custody of the jury.






36. 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.






37. Taking and carrying away the personal property of another person of a value in excess of an amount set by law with the .intent to deprive the owner or possessor of it.






38. A document containing background material on a convicted person. It is prepared to guide the judge in the imposition of a sentence. Sometimes called a pre-sentence report.






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






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






41. Primary evidence; the best evidence available. Evidence short of this is 'secondary.' That is - anoriginal letter is 'best evidence -' and a photocopy is 'secondary evidence.'






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






43. The quality in a witness which makes his or her testimony believable.






44. A contract by which owner of property grants to another the right to possess - use - and enjoy it for a specified period of time in exchange for payment of an agreed price (rent).






45. The court with authority to supervise estate administration.






46. Chains or shackles for the hands to secure prisoners.






47. 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






48. The lawyer who represents a client and is entitled to receive all formal documents from the court or from other parties. Also known as counsel of record.






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






50. To protest to the court against an act or omission by the opposing party.