Legal Vocabulary Quiz for Eighth Graders

What is the meaning of the word "defendant" in a legal context?

• The person who brings a case to court

• The person accused or sued in a court of law

• The judge in a trial

• The person who testifies in court

Tags

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.6.2D

Which word best describes the reason someone commits a crime?

• Motive

• Verdict

• Testimony

• Acquittal

Tags

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

CCSS.L.7.6

What does "homicide" mean?

• The act of stealing

• The act of killing another person

• The act of lying in court

• The act of defending someone

Tags

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

Who is responsible for proving the defendant's guilt in a criminal trial?

• The defense

• The prosecution

• The jury

• The foreman

Tags

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

If evidence is "circumstantial," what does that mean?

• It directly proves a fact

• It suggests a fact by implication

• It is not allowed in court

• It is always false

Tags

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

Who is the "foreman" in a jury?

• The judge

• The person who leads the jury and speaks for them

• The lawyer for the defense

• The person who is accused

Tags

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.9-10.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

What is a "preliminary" hearing?

• The final decision in a trial

• An initial hearing to decide if there is enough evidence for a trial

• The process of questioning a witness

• The announcement of the verdict

Tags

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

To "interrogate" someone means to:

• Defend them in court

• Question them thoroughly, often by the police

• Release them from jail

• Judge their actions

Tags

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

If a jury's decision is "unanimous," what does that mean?

• Most jurors agree

• All jurors agree

• The judge agrees

• The lawyers agree

Tags

CCSS.L.3.2F

What does "acquittal" mean in a court case?

• The defendant is found guilty

• The defendant is found not guilty

• The trial is postponed

• The jury cannot decide

Tags

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.11-12.4C