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. Substantial reason - one that affords a legal excuse.






2. A writ - often issued by an appellate court - making available remedies not regularly within the powers of lower courts. They include writs of habeas corpus - mandamus - prohibition and quo warranto.






3. 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.'






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






5. A person who directs a commission; a member of a commission. The officer in charge of a department or bureau of a public service.






6. This phrase - endorsed by a grand jury on the written indictment submitted to it for its approval - means that the evidence was found insufficient to indict.






7. Operation of a motor vehicle that shows a reckless disregard of possible consequences and indifference of others rights.






8. A defense attorney designated by the court to represent a defendant who does not have the funds to retain an attorney. COURT COSTS - The expenses of prosecuting or defending a lawsuit - other than the attorneys' fees. An amount of moneymay be awarded






9. The process whereby the accused and the prosecutor in a criminal case work out a mutually satisfactory disposition of the case subject to court approval. Usually involves the defendant's pleading guilty to a lesser offense or to only one.






10. Writ or order by a court prohibiting a specific action from being carried out by a person or group.






11. A right guaranteed by the U. S. Constitution - interpreted by the federal courts; also - a right guaranteed by some other constitution (such as a state constitution).






12. An order made by a court having competent jurisdiction. Rules of court are either general or special; the former are the regulations by which the practice of the court is governed - the latter are special orders made in particular cases.






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






14. The designation assigned to each case filed in a particular court. Also called a case number.






15. A change - alteration - or amendment which introduces new elements into the details - or cancels some of them - but leaves the general purpose and effect of the subject-matter intact.






16. An attack on a judgment other than a direct appeal to a higher court.






17. 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.






18. Ill will - hatred - or hostility by one person toward another which may prompt the intentional doing of a wrongful act without legal justification or excuse.






19. Gifts made in a will.






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






21. An allowance for expenses in prosecuting or defending a suit. Ordinarily this does not include attorney fees.






22. State-imposed death as punishment for a serious crime. Capital punishment.






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






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






25. 1. In a criminal case - the person accused of the crime. 2. In a civil case - the person being sued.






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






27. 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.






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






29. An accounting for the whereabouts of the tangible evidence from the moment it is received in custody until it is offered in evidence in court.CHALLENGE - An objection - such as when an attorney objects at a hearing to the seating of a particular pers






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






31. Ruling or order issued by the judge denying the party's request.






32. Additional juror impaneled in case of sickness or disability of another juror.






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






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






35. The party appealing a final decision or judgment.






36. To support with evidence or authority; make more certain.






37. With knowledge - willfully or intentionally with respect to a material element of an offense.






38. Any of the drugs whose production and use are regulated by law - including narcotics - stimulants - and hallucinogens.






39. Unlawful intercourse with an individual without their consent.






40. Juvenile found to have committed a status offense rather than a crime that would provide a basis for a finding of delinquency. Typical status offenses are habitual truancy - violating a curfew - or running away from home. These are not crimes - but t






41. An action of a higher court in setting aside or revoking a lower court decision.






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






43. A special type of guilty plea by which a defendant does not admit guilt but concedes that the State hasufficient evidence to convict; normally made to avoid the threat of greater punishment. Source: Black's Law Dictionary(1996); North Carolina v. Alf






44. 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.






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






46. Property owned in common by husband and wife each having an undivided one-half interest by reason of their marital status. For example - the earnings of one spouse during the marriage do not belong solely to that spouse; the earnings are community pr






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






48. Violation of a professional duty to act with reasonable care and in good faith without fraud or collusion.






49. 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.






50. 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.