WorksheetsUnit Test-American Legal System
Total questions: 60
Worksheet time: 30mins
Incarceration is also known as __________.
imprisonment
the death penalty
parole
probation
Which of the following is NOT a possible verdict following jury deliberations?
guilty
not guilty
delayed decision
hung jury
According to the fourth amendment, which of the following are the only ways in which someone can be legally arrested:
i) Warrant for arrest issued by a judge
(ii) Probable cause
(iii) Warrant for arrest issued by defense attorney
i only
i and ii only
i and iii only
i, ii, and iii
Which of the following are true statements about civil law?
(i) It has four different types of legal wrongdoing: tort, contract, warranty, and family matters
(ii) Civil law cases have a plaintiff and defendant whose names both appear on the court title
(iii) The objective of a civil law case is to charge the defendant with a felony or misdemeanor offense
i only
i and ii only
ii and iii only
i, ii, and iii
Half of states choose their judges through direct election. Which of the following BEST describes the direct election process?
Judges are directly elected by the state legislature.
Judges are directly elected by registered voters.
Judges are directly elected by currently sitting state supreme court judges.
Judges are directly elected by a committee of state mayors and the governor.
Which of the following is not TRUE of federal courts?
They primarily address cases involving state laws.
Federal courts address traffic violations, which fall under local ordinances.
They only hear cases that state courts are unable to handle.
Federal courts seldom hear criminal and civil cases for the first time.
Which of the following refers to appellate jurisdiction as applied to federal courts of appeals?
the authority, as a federal court, to review cases involving state law
the authority to review cases coming down from the Supreme Court
the authority to review any and all cases of state and federal law
the authority to review cases from lower courts
Which of the following hypothetical court cases would a federal court of appeals most likely address?
a case sent down from the US Supreme Court to the court of appeals to get a second opinion
an initial trial for an alleged armed burglar in which witnesses will testify
a case sent from a state supreme court in which the justices cannot resolve the legal issue with state law
a case from a district court in which the defense attorney argues that the decision against his client should be appealed because the district court judge misinterpreted the law
The Greeks were responsible for breaking away from the previously held idea that laws came directly from _____________ and contending that they were in fact a __________ institution.
gods, human
human, gods
nature, gods
human, natural
The system of laws that had the greatest influence on modern American law is _______________.
Roman law
Hammurabi’s Code
Greek law
English Common law
Cases dealing with international law are heard in which court?
the International Court of Justice
the United States Supreme Court
the European Union Council
the Court of International Unity
Who is the defendant in a criminal court case?
the person who has been accused of a crime
the person who represents the government
the person who helps to decide the verdict
the person who makes sure the trial is fair
Who is the plaintiff in a criminal court case?
the defendant
the government
the judge
the juror
How many sides are there in a criminal court case?
There is one side: the defendant’s.
There are two sides: the defendant’s and the plaintiff’s.
There are three sides: the defendant’s, the plaintiff’s, and the judge’s.
There are four sides: the defendant’s, the plaintiff’s, the judge’s, and the jurors’.
What happens during jury selection in a criminal court case?
The lawyers summarize the facts and explain what they intend to prove.
The judge and the lawyers ask questions to see if the jurors are impartial.
The jurors discuss the case and decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty.
The judge decides the proper punishment based on the verdict from the trial.
What happens during opening statements in a criminal court case?
The lawyers summarize the facts and explain what they intend to prove.
The judge and the lawyers ask questions to see if the jurors are impartial.
The jurors discuss the case and decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty.
The judge decides the proper punishment based on the verdict from the trial.
What happens during opening statements in a criminal court case?
The lawyers summarize the facts and explain what they intend to prove.
The judge and the lawyers ask questions to see if the jurors are impartial.
The jurors discuss the case and decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty.
The judge decides the proper punishment based on the verdict from the trial.
In a criminal trial, when do the lawyers explain what they intend to prove?
during jury selection
during jury deliberation
during closing statements
during opening statements
In a criminal trial, when do the lawyers present final summaries of their cases?
during jury selection
during jury deliberation
during closing statements
during opening statements
What happens during jury deliberation in a criminal court case?
The lawyers summarize the facts and explain what they intend to prove.
The judge and the lawyers ask questions to see if the jurors are impartial.
The jurors discuss the case and decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty.
The judge decides the proper punishment based on the verdict from the trial.
What is the definition of the verdict in a criminal court case?
The verdict is a request for a decision to be reconsidered.
The verdict is the decision about the proper punishment.
The verdict is the decision that states “guilty” or “not guilty."
The verdict is how a group is chosen to make a decision in a trial.
In a criminal court case, a deadlocked jury results in
an appeal.
a mistrial.
a sentence.
a verdict.
After a mistrial, a criminal court case often
results in a second trial to reach a verdict.
leads to a request for reconsideration
results in a sentence from the judge
leads to summaries from lawyers.
What is the definition of an appeal in a criminal court case?
An appeal is a request for the verdict to be reconsidered.
An appeal is the decision about the proper punishment.
An appeal is the decision that states “guilty” or “not guilty.”
An appeal is a request for a new judge to oversee the trial.
In a criminal court case, who recommends a sentence to the judge?
the jury
the plaintiff
the defendant
the government
The only way a person may be arrested is by warrant from a judge.
True
False
In American law, capital punishment for a minor offense would not be allowed, because the punishment does not fit the crime.
True
False
At the arraignment, an attorney is to be provided for the defendant free of charge if necessary.
True
False
In which stage of pre-trial procedures is the accused formally charged?
arraignment
grand jury
pretrial motion
booking
Which of the following would be appropriate punishments for minor crimes:
(i) Probation
(ii) Fines
(iii) Capital punishment
i only
i and ii only
ii only
i and iii only
According to formal language of American law, someone must be proven guilty _________________ in order to be sentenced.
beyond a reasonable doubt
with likely conviction
with high plausibility
beyond distinction
Which of the following is NOT a type of prison?
maximum security
minimum security
high-level security
medium security
During their divorce proceedings, John and Jane Smith hired someone (not a judge) to make decisions related to their divorce. This type of civil procedure is known as:
arbitration
small-claims court
mediation
agreement
During the discovery phase of pre-trial procedures, a lawyer learns that evidence against his client was obtained without a warrant. During the pretrial motion, the lawyer may argue to ___________, a motion which, if granted, would disallow the evidence from trial.
change venue
continue
exclude evidence
discover the evidence
Which of the following best defines the underlined word in the sentence below:
“ John was very upset when he received his summons in the mail.”
a non-mandatory notice to answer a complaint
a non-mandatory request for mediation
a mandatory request for arbitration
a mandatory notice to defend oneself against a complaint
Which of the following is the primary advantage to a small claims court case?
Small claims cases do not involve a judge.
Small claims cases are affordable when compared to full-length trials.
Small claims cases use a mediator to resolve the issues.
Small claims cases use public attorneys that are free.
Which of the following is NOT a crime for which the death penalty might be sought?
murder
treason
terrorism
assault
Breach of contract lawsuits can occur ONLY when the problem exists between two parties, but no more.
True
False
A police officer is dispatched to Union St. When he arrives to the home, it is reported to him by neighbors that a husband was abusing his wife. The wife confirms the story, and the husband is arrested shortly thereafter. Which of the following is TRUE about the case that would follow?
When the husband is charged, the case would be a criminal case.
The wife gets charged, and the case would be a civil case.
When the husband is charged, the charge would be homicide.
When the husband is charged, he would likely be charged under tort laws for negligence.
Which of the following newspaper headlines is an example of white collar crime?
"Man charged with aggravated assault and burglary"
“Businessman charged with embezzling funds from corporate accounts”
“Wealthy executive charged with child abuse”
“Local Mob Boss charged with extortion, homicide, and grand larceny”
Which of the following best defines the underlined word in the following sentence:“
Unsatisfied with their explanation, Technic Inc. sued Androchon Ltd. for breach of contract.”
the act of failing to observe an agreement
the act of following the terms of a contract
the act of rewording a contract before it is signed by concerned parties
the act of two parties agreeing to destroy a contract
Which of the following is an example of organized crime?
When two people conspire to break into the house of a wealthy neighbor.
A group of individuals who obtain money from local businesses by using intimidation.
One man creates a software program that steals money from his companies business transactions.
A group of teenagers assaults a man in an alley and steals his wallet.
In a civil lawsuit, the objective of the plaintiff is to acquire __________ for ___________.
compensation, damages
minor jail time, damages
major jail time, felony conviction
compensation, criminal offense
George is assaulted late at night by a group of men. George survives and tells the police officer that he can remember the men shouting racial slurs at him during the assault. The latter is an example of ____________ crime.
civil
hate
damage
homicide
Hanley Inc. includes a one-year guarantee on each one of its blenders that states that any defects that occur within the first year will result in a replacement of the product. Josh calls the company to say that his blender has broken two months into owning the product, but Hanley Inc. refuses to replace the blender.
file a civil lawsuit against Hanley Inc. for not honoring their warranty
file a criminal lawsuit against Hanley Inc. for not honoring their warranty
file a civil lawsuit against Hanley Inc. for breach of contract
file a criminal lawsuit against Haley Inc. for breach of contract
In a criminal case, Josephine Lawler was the victim of an aggravated assault on an Arizona highway by John Doe. Which of the following would be the most probable name of the court case?
Josephine Lawler v. John Doe
John Doe v. Josephine Lawler
The State of Arizona v. Josephine Lawler
The State of Arizona v. John Doe
Which of the following is not a true statement about criminal cases?
In a criminal case, the victim must pay for their own attorney.
The objective of a criminal case is punishment.
A criminal can be charged with the following two types of offenses: misdemeanors or felonies.
In naming a criminal case, it is always Society v. Defendant.
All of the following would be classified as Courts of First Instance EXCEPT:
Circuit Court
District Court
Superior Court
Court of appeals
The Missouri Plan can best be described as mix between the __________ and __________ processes used by other states.
direct election . . . mayoral appointment
gubernatorial appointment . . . direct election
legislative appointment . . . mayoral appointment
legislative appointment . . . gubernatorial appointment
Which of the following accurately explains the distinction between jurisdiction and original jurisdiction?
Original jurisdiction refers to legal territory, while jurisdiction simply means the area in which law enforcement may arrest someone.
While jurisdiction refers to the legal territory in which a court may hear a case, original jurisdiction refers to the power of courts to hear a case for the first time.
While jurisdiction refers to legal territory, original jurisdiction refers to the power of the Supreme Court to make the final decision.
While original jurisdiction refers to the area in which law enforcement may arrest someone, jurisdiction usually refers to the legal territory in which a court may exert its authority.
Which of the following BEST describes how a federal judge could be removed from his/her position?
If a federal judge commits a crime, he/she must first go through regular court proceedings, and if they are found guilty, they are ousted from office.
If the president does not agree with a decision on a case, he may remove the judge from office immediately.
If a judge commits any high crimes or misdemeanors, Congress may remove the judge by impeaching him/her.
If a majority in Congress disagrees with a judge’s decision, they may vote to impeach him/her.
If any state tribunal decides a federal question and the litigant has no further remedy within the state court system, from which of the following remedies could the litigant possibly benefit?
a hearing by a US district court
a hearing by a federal court of appeals
a hearing by the US Supreme Court
a Congressional vote
There are 12 __________ in the United States, which __________ from the district courts.
Congressional districts . . . interview judges
regional circuits . . . hear cases on appeal
supreme courts . . . hear cases on appeal
state supreme courts . . . draw their legal reasoning
Over hundreds of years, Roman law became complicated, so Emperor __________ condensed the laws into one accessible code of law known as the _______________.
Justinian, Corpus Juris Civilis
Justinian, Juris Civile
Caesar, Corpus Juris Civilis
Caesar, Juris Civile
Canon law preserved Roman laws and has its origins in _______________.
the Anglican Church
the Catholic Church
Napoleonic France
English Common Law
Which of the following lists the sets of law codes in chronological order?
Napoleonic (Civil) Code; Corpus Juris Civile; Hammurabi’s Code; The Constitution of the United States
Hammurabi’s Code; Corpus Juris Civile; Napoleonic (Civil) Code; The Constitution of the United States
Corpus Juris Civile; Hammurabi’s Code; Napoleonic (Civil) Code; The Constitution of the United States
Hammurabi’s Code; Corpus Juris Civile; The Constitution of the United States; Napoleonic (Civil) Code
Sha’rom comes from a time when people believed that laws were sent directly from the gods. Sha'rom most likely comes from which time period and location?
Ancient Babylon
Ancient Rome
Modern America
Napoleonic France
Which of the following would be considered an ordinance?
national tax laws
international trade agreements
local curfew laws
human rights laws
Statutory laws are created by __________________ at the local, state, and national levels.
elected representatives
appointed representatives
councils of citizens
average citizens
The American legal system is based on common law. What do judges consider most important when making a ruling under this system?
Rulings made by other judges in similar cases
The language in the law as it is written
How the law is likely to change in the future
What the majority of the population would prefer a ruling to be
