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. Against - or not authorized by law; unlawful.






2. One who is joined as a party or defendant merely because the technical rules of pleading require his presence in the record.






3. The court-supervised process by which a will is determined to be the will-maker's final statement regarding how the will-maker wants his or her property distributed.






4. That which tends to injure a person's reputation. Libel is published defamation - whereasslander is spoken.






5. A ruling by the court in favor of the party making the objection.






6. A temporary location that is meant to secure the accused while waiting for trial to begin or continue.






7. 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.






8. A legal right - exemption or immunity granted to a person - company or class - that is beyond the common advantages of other citizens.






9. 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






10. Unlawful killing of another - without malice - when the act is committed with a sudden extreme emotional impulse.






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






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






13. To clean or clear - such as eliminating inactive records from court files; with respect to civil contempt - to cure the noncompliance that caused the contempt finding.






14. An obligation signed by the accused to secure his or her presence at the trial. This obligation means that the accused may lose money by not properly appearing for the trial. Often referred to simply as bond.






15. All the judges of a court sitting together. Appellate courts can consist of a dozen or more judges - but often they hear cases in panels of three judges. If a case is heard or reheard by the full court - it is heard en banc.






16. The adjournment or postponement of a session - hearing - trial - or other proceeding until a future date.






17. 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






18. 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






19. An order of the court requiring all witnesses to remain outside the courtroom until each is called to testify - except the plaintiff or defendant. The witnesses are ordered not to discuss their testimony with each other and may be held in contempt if






20. The rule preventing illegally obtained evidence to be used in any trial.






21. Legal right given to a person to be responsible for the food - housing - health care - and other necessities






22. To legally certify the innocence of one charged with a crime. To set free - release or discharge from an obligation - burden or accusation. To find a defendant not guilty in a criminal trial.






23. A rule or order prescribed for management or government.






24. The right of an accused to a speedy trial as guaranteed by the 6th Amendment of the United States Constitution.






25. The ordinary jury of twelve (or fewer) persons for the trial of a civil or criminal case. So called to distinguish it from the grand jury.






26. Sentences for more than one crime that are to be served at the same time - rather than one after the other. See also CUMULATIVE SENTENCES.






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






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






29. That which - under the rules of evidence - cannot be admitted as evidence in a trial or hearing.






30. 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.






31. A gift - not necessarily of monetary value - given to influence the conduct of the receiver.






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






33. Land - buildings - and other improvements affixed to the land.






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






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






36. A legal doctrine by which acts of the opposing parties are compared to determine the liability of each party to the other - making each liable only for his or her percentage of fault.






37. Standards governing whether evidence in a civil or criminal case is admissible.






38. A legally enforceable agreement between two or more competent parties made either orally or in writing. CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE - A legal doctrine that says if the plaintiff in a civil action for negligence also was negligent - he or she cannot recov






39. 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.






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






41. Behavior that is obscene - lustful - indecent - vulgar.






42. The authority of a court to review the official actions of other branches of government. Also - the authority to declare unconstitutional the actions of other branches.






43. A satisfaction agreed upon between the parties in a lawsuit which bars subsequent actions on the claim.






44. The act - after a jury verdict has been announced - of asking jurors individually whether they agree with the verdict.






45. In tort law - a defense to a personal injury suit. The essence of an affirmative defense is that the plaintiff assumed the known risk of whatever dangerous condition caused the injury.






46. Evidence not sufficiently related to the matter in issue.






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






48. A trust set up and in effect during the lifetime of the grantor. Also called inter vivos trust.






49. The court transfer of legal custody of a person from parents or legal guardian to another person - agency - or institution. It may be temporary or permanent.






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