Test your basic knowledge |

Paralegal 101

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. The process of finding the law.






2. Information about the law - such as that contained in encyclopedias and law review articles.






3. A statute enacted to correct a defect in prior law or to provide a remedy where none existed.






4. Part of the Model Penal Code; a test that provides that the defendant is not guilty due to insanity if - at the time of the killing - the defendant lacked either the ability to understand that the act was wrong or the ability to control the behavior.






5. A statutory citation is a formalized method for referring to a statute's chapter (or title) and section numbers.






6. The highest federal appellate court - consisting of nine appointed members.






7. A calendering system that records key dates and important deadlines.






8. A decision is overruled when a court in a later case changes the law that the decision in the earlier case is no longer good law.






9. The papers that begin a lawsuit-generally - the complaint and the answer.






10. A person who permits or directs another person to act on the principal's behalf.






11. A form in which statutes are published; they are printed individually at the time they are first enacted.






12. The publication of false statements that harm a person's reputation.






13. A method for interpreting statutes in which the ordinary meaning of the statute's language is examined.






14. The process of using Shepard's citations to check a court citation to see whether there has been any subsequent history or treatment by other court decisions.






15. When an appellate court that normally sits in panels sits as a whole.






16. The delivery of a pleading or other paper in a lawsuit to the opposing party.






17. The transfer of a case from one state court to a federal court.






18. A rule that states that evidence obtained in violation of an individual's constitutional rights cannot be used against that individual in a criminal trial.






19. A judgment that reverses the verdict of the jury when the verdict had no reasonable factual support or was contrary to law.






20. A defense requiring proof that the defendant was forced to take an action to avoid a greater harm.






21. The theory holding manufacturers and sellers liable for defective products when the defects make the products unreasonably dangerous.






22. A provision that purports to waive liability.






23. A paralegal who works as an independent contractor rather than as an employee of a law firm or corporation.






24. A defense requiring proof that the defendant was not mentally responsible.






25. The status of being formally recognized by a nongovernmental organization for having met special criteria - such as fulfilling educational requirements and passing an exam - established by that organization.






26. The intermediate appellate courts in the federal system.






27. In logic - a belief that justifies one in arguing a conclusion.






28. A computer search that identifies every place in which the search term appears in the actual text of the document being searched.






29. The power of the federal government to prevent the states from passing conflicting laws - and sometimes even to prohibit states from passing any laws on a particular subject.






30. Generally - an emergency situation that allows a search to proceed without a warrant.






31. A set charge for a specific service - such as drafting a simple will.






32. How subsequent cases have affected the case you are Shepardizing. It is sometimes indicated by a one-letter abbreviation before the Shepard's citation.






33. The process after arrest that includes taking the defendant's personal information - giving the defendant an opportunity to read and sign a Miranda card - and allowing the defendant the opportunity to use a telephone.






34. The chronological publication of statutes at the end of a legislative session.






35. A bank account used to hold money belonging to the client or to a third party.






36. A right to use property owned by another for a limited purpose.






37. A grand jury's written accusation that a given individual has committed a crime.






38. A witness who possesses skill and knowledge beyond that of the average person.






39. A court's power to hear only specialized cases.






40. Court decisions from an equal or a lower court from the same jurisidiction or from a higher court in a different jurisdiction; also includes secondary authority.






41. An ADR mechanism whereby the parties submit their disagreement to a third party - whose decision is binding.






42. A claim by the defendant against the plaintiff.






43. Bad intent.






44. A contract that outlines the attorney's duties and the client's obligations regarding payment - on either an hourly or a contingency fee basis - as well as the client's responsibility reagarding costs and expenses.






45. Money awarded to a plaintiff in cases of intentional torts in order to punish the defendant and serve as a warning to others.






46. The opinion of a jury on a question of fact.






47. The standard of proof used in criminal trials. The evidence represented must be so conclusive and complete that all reasonable doubts regarding the facts are removed from the jurors' minds.






48. Law that deals with harm to a person or a person's property.






49. A pamphlet inserted into the back of a book containing information new since the volume was published.






50. Monetary compensation - including compensatory - punitive - and nominal damages.