Question 1

The ____ are orderly compilations of the general common law of the United States,prepared by a distinguished group of lawyers,judges,and law teachers.
A) Statutes
B) Executive Orders
C) Maxims
D) Restatements of Law

Accepted Answer

Restatements of Law are indeed orderly compilations of the general common law of the United States, prepared by a group of lawyers, judges, and law professors.

Question 2

The branch of public law that deals with the various regulatory functions and activities of the government is:
A) criminal law.
B) administrative law.
C) constitutional law.
D) substantive law.

Accepted Answer

Administrative law deals with the regulatory functions and activities of the government, such as rule-making, adjudication, and enforcement of laws and regulations. Criminal law deals with crimes and punishment, constitutional law deals with the interpretation and application of the constitution, and substantive law deals with the rights and duties of individuals and organizations in society.

Question 3

The doctrine of stare decisis means that:
A) the common law has not been able to evolve in a stable and predictable manner.
B) certain decisions cannot be appealed.
C) courts adhere to and rely on rules of law that they or superior courts announced and applied in prior similar decisions.
D) courts are not allowed to correct erroneous decisions or choose among conflicting precedents.

Accepted Answer

Stare decisis means that courts rely on and adhere to rules of law established in prior similar decisions. It allows for consistency and predictability in the law. A and D are incorrect because the doctrine of stare decisis is designed to provide stability and correctness in the common law system, and it also allows for correcting erroneous decisions through the appeals process. B is incorrect because most decisions can be appealed, although there are some limited exceptions.

Question 4

Which of the following is correct regarding the decisions of state trial courts?
A) They are generally not reported.
B) They are reported in regional reports.
C) They are reported in state court reports.
D) They are binding upon higher courts based upon the principle of stare decisis.

Accepted Answer

State trial court decisions are generally not reported, unlike appellate court decisions which are often published in legal reporters.

Question 5

The courts in law systems such as the one in the United States have developed a body of law that serves as precedent for determination of later controversies.This is sometimes called:
A) previous law.
B) common law.
C) equity law.
D) administrative law.

Accepted Answer

The body of law that serves as precedent for determination of later controversies is called common law. Common law is based on previous court decisions rather than on written laws and regulations. It is a major component of the legal system in the United States and other countries that have a similar legal system.

Question 6

The area of public law that creates the most rules and decides the most controversies is:
A) criminal law.
B) judicial law.
C) legislative law.
D) administrative law.

Accepted Answer

Administrative law governs the activities of administrative agencies of government, which make and enforce regulations and rules that affect the public. This area of law creates a significant number of rules and decisions that affect daily life and business operations, making it the area of public law that decides the most controversies.

Question 7

A court order requiring that a person do or refrain from doing a particular act is known as a(n):
A) injunction.
B) maxim.
C) statute.
D) executive order.

Accepted Answer

A court order requiring that a person do or refrain from doing a particular act is known as an injunction.

Question 8

The sources of law in the American legal system include ALL BUT which of the following?
A) State administrative regulations
B) Executive orders
C) Resolutions passed by the United Nations
D) Federal legislation

Accepted Answer

Resolutions passed by the United Nations are not sources of law in the American legal system. The other options listed (state administrative regulations, executive orders, and federal legislation) are all sources of law in the American legal system.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT true about the equity courts?
A) They were originally presided over by a chancellor.
B) They provided remedies not available in courts of law.
C) They provided for trials by jury.
D) They followed maxims.

Accepted Answer

Equity courts did not provide for trials by jury. The chancellor acted as the sole decision-maker and judge in equity cases, relying on established principles and maxims of equity.

Question 10

The person who files or commences a civil lawsuit is known as the:
A) plaintiff.
B) prosecuting attorney.
C) defendant.
D) attorney general.

Accepted Answer

The person who files or commences a civil lawsuit is known as the plaintiff.

Question 11

A ____ is any act or omission prohibited by public law in the interest of protection of the public and made punishable by the government in a judicial proceeding brought by it,whereby proof must be beyond a reasonable doubt.
A) rescission
B) sanction
C) crime
D) maxim

Accepted Answer

A crime is defined as an act or omission prohibited by public law that is punishable by the government through a judicial process. It must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, which is a high standard of proof. Rescission is the action of revoking, canceling, or voiding a contract. A sanction is a penalty or punishment imposed for violating a law or rule. A maxim is a general principle or rule of conduct.

Question 12

Which of the following is characteristic of a common law legal system?
A) It relies heavily on the inquisitorial method for settling disputes.
B) It depends heavily on comprehensive legislative enactments called Codes.
C) It applies the principle of stare decisis.
D) It is based on Roman law.

Accepted Answer

A common law legal system is based on the principle of stare decisis, which means that courts are bound to follow the precedent of previous court decisions in similar cases. This is in contrast to a civil law legal system, which relies heavily on comprehensive legislative enactments (codes) to settle disputes. The inquisitorial method is not typically used in a common law system, and it is not based on Roman law.

Question 13

In a court of equity,a chancellor could issue an order called a ____,compelling a defendant to do or refrain from doing a certain act.
A) judgment
B) decree
C) stare decisis
D) rescission

Accepted Answer

In a court of equity, a chancellor can issue a decree, which is an order that compels a defendant to do or refrain from doing a certain act. This is different from a judgment, which is a decision made by a court based on the evidence presented. Stare decisis refers to the principle that courts should adhere to precedent, while rescission is a type of remedy that cancels a contract.

Question 14

Which of the following is correct with regard to treaties in the United States legal system?
A) They have no legal effect.
B) Under the U.S.Constitution they must be signed by the President and approved by the U.S.Senate.
C) They have no effect on business law.
D) They must be approved by the States before they have the force of law.

Accepted Answer

Under the U.S. Constitution, treaties must be signed by the President and approved by the U.S. Senate in order to have legal effect.

Question 15

A constitution does not:
A) restrict the powers of government.
B) specifically enumerate certain liberties of the people.
C) establish governmental structure.
D) clearly define all the powers of the state governments.

Accepted Answer

A constitution typically does not clearly define all the powers of state governments, as they are often left with residual powers that are not specifically delegated to the federal government.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT considered to be an equitable remedy?
A) Specific performance
B) Injunction
C) Reformation
D) Money damages

Accepted Answer

Money damages are not considered to be an equitable remedy, but rather a legal remedy. Equitable remedies are court-ordered actions that seek to restore justice and fairness, whereas legal remedies involve compensating someone for their losses through monetary reimbursement.

Question 17

Because of the increasing complexity of the social,economic,and industrial life of the nation,the scope of ____ law has expanded enormously in the past century.
A) common
B) administrative
C) procedural
D) equity

Accepted Answer

Administrative law deals with the rules and regulations created by administrative agencies and their enforcement. As the government has grown and become more involved in various aspects of society and the economy, the scope of administrative law has expanded to keep up with these changes. Common law deals with judicial decisions based on precedents, procedural law deals with legal procedures in courts, and equity law deals with remedies and fairness in legal disputes. None of these are directly related to the increasing complexity of modern society.

Question 18

Which of the following is a common purpose of the civil and criminal law?
A) Compensation
B) Rehabilitation
C) Deterrence
D) Punishment

Accepted Answer

Both civil and criminal laws have the purpose of deterring individuals from committing harmful actions. Civil laws aim to deter individuals from engaging in actions that could result in harm to others, while criminal laws aim to deter criminal behavior and protect society as a whole. Compensation, rehabilitation, and punishment may be specific purposes of certain laws, but deterrence is a common purpose across both civil and criminal law.

Question 19

The three distinct and independent branches of the United States government are:
A) the executive branch,the House of Representatives,and the U.S.Senate.
B) the federal judiciary,the House of Representatives,and the U.S.Senate.
C) the federal judiciary,the Congress,and the executive branch.
D) the state government,the Congress,and the executive branch.

Accepted Answer

The federal judiciary, the Congress, and the executive branch are the three distinct and independent branches of the United States government. The federal judiciary includes the Supreme Court and other federal courts, while Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The executive branch is headed by the president and includes multiple agencies and departments.

Question 20

A(n)____ is the fundamental law of a particular level of government.
A) Restatement of law
B) executive order
C) constitution
D) code

Accepted Answer

A constitution is the fundamental law of a particular level of government. It sets out the framework for how the government will operate and limits the powers of those in government. Restatements of law, executive orders, and codes can all be important legal documents, but they do not serve as the fundamental law of a government.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Law

The ____ are orderly compilations of the general common law of the United States,prepared by a distinguished group of lawyers,judges,and law teachers.

The branch of public law that deals with the various regulatory functions and activities of the government is:

The doctrine of stare decisis means that:

Which of the following is correct regarding the decisions of state trial courts?

The courts in law systems such as the one in the United States have developed a body of law that serves as precedent for determination of later controversies.This is sometimes called:

The area of public law that creates the most rules and decides the most controversies is:

A court order requiring that a person do or refrain from doing a particular act is known as a(n) :

The sources of law in the American legal system include ALL BUT which of the following?

Which of the following is NOT true about the equity courts?

The person who files or commences a civil lawsuit is known as the:

A ____ is any act or omission prohibited by public law in the interest of protection of the public and made punishable by the government in a judicial proceeding brought by it,whereby proof must be beyond a reasonable doubt.

Which of the following is characteristic of a common law legal system?

In a court of equity,a chancellor could issue an order called a ____,compelling a defendant to do or refrain from doing a certain act.

Which of the following is correct with regard to treaties in the United States legal system?

A constitution does not:

Which of the following is NOT considered to be an equitable remedy?

Because of the increasing complexity of the social,economic,and industrial life of the nation,the scope of ____ law has expanded enormously in the past century.

Which of the following is a common purpose of the civil and criminal law?

The three distinct and independent branches of the United States government are:

A(n) ____ is the fundamental law of a particular level of government.