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About This Quiz
You want a brief recess before you submit your plea bargain? I object! Take this quiz to test how well you know the most common legal jargon of today's court system.
What is an agreement between two or more parties to do or refrain from doing something?
Misdemeanor
Stare decisis
Contract
Contacts often involve a promise of something in return for something of value. There are both written and oral contracts, though in some states oral contracts have little or no standing.
Tort
What is the name of a person who testifies what they saw, heard, observed or did?
Witness
Often witnesses are afraid to testify for fear of retaliation by the defendant or his or her associates.
Wobbler
Minor
Foreman
This type of law refers to that which is non-criminal...
Credible
Civil
Civil law usually refers to settling disputes between private citizens or entities.
Administrative
Constitutional
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This is to testify or give under oath or sworn affidavit.
Depose
A person is deposed during a deposition. No judges are present, though the testimony given can be used in court.
Malfeasance
Retain
Cross-examine
Whereas a juvenile is under the age of 16, a ______ is under the age of 18.
Minor
A minor does not have the rights and privileges of an adult - however an 'emancipated' minor does. Emancipation is the release of a youth from the legal authority and control of the parents.
Junior Adult
Movant
Delinquent
This is an attorney who is appointed by the court and paid for by the state when a defendant is unable to hire a private attorney...
Trial Referee
Senior Judge
Probation Officer
Public Defender
Public defenders tend to gather at the court house in the morning and wait to be assigned to defendants as arraignments take place.
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If a defendant cuts a deal with the prosecutor to avoid trial, this is called a _________.
Pretrial hearing
Plea bargain
A plea bargain usually involves pleading guilty to lesser charges in exchange for a lighter sentence by the defendant.
Promise to Appear
Restitution
Due ________ denotes what a responsible person would do under the same conditions.
Law
Mens Rea
Diligence
Diligence is reasonable care or attention to a matter. Examples are washing your hands before cooking and looking both ways at a stop sign.
Title
You may try to get a ____________ in order to protect yourself from physical abuse by another person...
Court Monitor
Sentence Modification
Restraining Order
Oftentimes a temporary restraining order may be issued for 10 days - at which time both parties must appear in court to plead their side.
Visitation
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What is the document that serves as evidence of ownership of property?
Tort
Statute
Title
Real estate deeds and titles for cars and boats are examples of a title. Titles are always required during a sale of one of these items.
Contract
A _______ is a wrongful or illegal act causing harm to another person or their property.
Demurrer
Tort
The word 'tort' comes from the French word for “wrong.â€
Adjudication
Affidavit
A _________ is a criminal offense for which a person may be sentenced to prison for more than one year.
Motion
Misdemeanor
Felony
A misdemeanor, on the other hand, is a crime that carries a maximum penalty of only one year, and/or a $2,000 fine.
Grievance
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What is a court order to collect money or property?
Damages
Grievance
Ejectment
Garnishment
A garnishment may be issued to an employer to pay part of an employee’s wages to someone else to pay a debt or judgment. Child support is an example.
"______ contest" is a plea in a criminal case that allows the defendant to be convicted without admitting guilt for the crime charged.
Cancel
Plea
General
No
No Contest is also called "Nolo Contendre." By pleading no contest, the defendant can deny the charges in a civil action based on the same acts.
What is it called when members of a jury cannot reconcile their differences and produce a verdict?
Tired Jury
Hung Jury
If a hung jury is declared, the entire case must start over from scratch.
Beaten Jury
Loose Jury
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A ______ is a person who is not a judge, but who is authorized to hear and decide certain types of cases.
Lis Pendens
Magistrate
An example of a magistrate is a Family Support Magistrate who hears and decides outcomes of child support cases.
Movant
Prosecutor
What is a command to appear in court to testify as a witness?
Transcript
Subpoena
You may also -- or instead -- receive a "Subpoena Duces Tecum," which is a legal paper requiring you to produce documents or records for a trial.
Finding
Calendar
This is the process of questioning prospective jurors or witnesses about their qualifications...
Summons
Voir Dire
Voir Dire is a French phrase meaning "to speak the truth".
Restitution
Pleadings
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________ is testimony given by a witness who tells second or third hand information.
Grievance
Hearsay
Hearsay is not considered to be credible information. It is recommended that witnesses only relay information which they know first hand.
Emancipation
Deposition
When someone has disobeyed a court order, it is known as ___________.
Contempt of Court
Contempt of Court can also hold meaning for disrupting the court - being loud or disrespectful in court.
Counter-claim
Court Trial
Mittimus Judgment
This is a court document which declares that a marriage is invalid.
Bond
Annulment
When a married couple gets a divorce, their marriage is annulled. The document is known as the annulment.
Charge
Declaration
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This is another word for "bond."
Bail
Bail is the money or property given to the court for the temporary release of a defendant. Bail or bond ensures that the defendant will return to court.
Docket
Ex Parte
Lien
A _________ is a written document prepared by a lawyer and filed with the court in support of their arguments.
Claim
Case file
Restitution
Brief
Briefs are written by lawyers, or a party on each side of a dispute presented in the court.
Money that is ordered to be paid by the defendant to the victim, to reimburse the victim for the costs of the crime is called...
Seal
Small claims
Restitution
Restitution generally makes good ​or gives the equivalent for any loss, damage or injury caused by a person's actions. It is often a condition of probation.
Summons
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To ________ a court order is to cancel or rescind it...
Violate
Lien
Vacate
A judge will vacate a court order if there has been a major update to a case. Usually this comes in the form of new evidence in favor of the defendant.
Mitigate
What is "Lis Pendens"?
Tardy prosecutor
Legal papers
Pending lawsuit
Lis Pendens is jurisdiction or control that courts have over property in a case waiting for final disposition. A notice of lis pendens is filed on the land records.
Neglected minor
A juvenile delinquent is someone under the age of ____ who commits a criminal act.
14
16
Juveniles proceedings are held in Juvenile Court. This is also known as Superior Court for Juvenile Matters.
18
21
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The elected member of a jury who delivers the verdict to the court is known as the ______.
Party Representative
Jury Representative
Foreman
When the verdict is read, only one member of the jury speaks. This person is known as the foreman.
Plaintiff
A petitioner or a complainant who sues or starts a civil case is called the ___________.
Defendant
Plaintiff
The plaintiff sues and provides evidence which the defendant must prove otherwise.
Bailiff
Clerk
If you ______ bond, you have paid the court the ordered bond amount via cash or property.
Set
Post
To post bond means that a defendant is free to go home until their next court proceeding.
Create
Mark
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When the plaintiff is finished presenting evidence in a court case, they ______.
Sit down
Rest
"The prosecution rests" and "The defense rests" are phrases one may hear in court following the presentation of evidence and witnesses. It is then up to the jury to decide the fate of the case.
Sleep
Leave court
A 'states attorney' is also known as a ___________.
Juvenile Defender
Clerk
Bailiff
Prosecutor
Prosecutors represent the state in criminal cases. Often the head state attorney is elected and employs numerous assistant state attorneys.
You may find yourself in Small Claims Court if you want to recover damages or money up to $_________.
$100
$1,000
$5,000
In small claims court, the rules of evidence are relaxed and people often represent themselves instead of hiring a lawyer.
$10,000
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A _______ is a dispute resolution process not involving a judge.
Mediation
During a mediation, an impartial third party assists both sides in voluntarily reaching a mutually acceptable settlement of a dispute. No judge is present.
Marshal
Magistrate
Ne Exeat
You are considered out on __________ if you have been released from incarceration after serving part of your sentence...
Bail
Bond
Parole
Incarcerated individuals who are eligible for parole will have a parole hearing. Individuals related to the case may speak for or against the early release of a convicted person.
Plea Bargain
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