Question 1

Sources of law include

Accepted Answer

Judge-made law (common law) and legislative law (statutes and regulations) are both recognized sources of law, while post hoc law is not a standard legal term for a source of law.

Question 2

Statutes are often written

Accepted Answer

Statutes are often written broadly to cover a wide range of situations and to allow for flexibility in their application.

Question 3

The two most common primary sources of law are

Accepted Answer

Common law and legislation are the two most common primary sources of law. Common law is developed through court decisions over time, while legislation refers to laws passed by a legislative body.

Question 4

Administrative regulations are developed by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Administrative regulations are developed by governmental agencies, which are authorized by the legislature to enact regulations within their area of responsibility. These agencies use their expertise to create detailed rules that implement and enforce laws passed by the legislature.

Question 5

The Constitution is primarily concerned with setting forth the

Accepted Answer

The Constitution primarily outlines the structure, functions, and powers of the federal government, including the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Question 6

The Bill of Rights is the primary source of

Accepted Answer

The Bill of Rights, consisting of the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, primarily guarantees individual rights and liberties, protecting citizens from government overreach.

Question 7

Supporters of a strong centralized government were called

Accepted Answer

Federalists were supporters of a strong centralized government, advocating for a federal system that balanced power between the national and state governments.

Question 8

The Fourth Amendment forbids unreasonable searches and seizures and requires the existence of _______________before warrants may be issued or a search or seizure may take place.

Accepted Answer

The Fourth Amendment requires "probable cause" for the issuance of warrants or for a search or seizure to be considered reasonable. This standard is higher than reasonable suspicion but does not require the level of certainty implied by reasonable doubt or the preponderance of the evidence standard.

Question 9

Which constitutional amendment guarantees the right of people to peacefully assemble?

Accepted Answer

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right of people to peacefully assemble, along with other rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press.

Question 10

Which constitutional amendment guarantees the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances?

Accepted Answer

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances, along with other fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, press, and assembly.

Question 11

Which of the following actions is protected by the First Amendment?

Accepted Answer

Flag burning is considered a form of symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment, as established in the Supreme Court case Texas v. Johnson (1989).

Question 12

Which constitutional amendment grants the right of the people to keep and bear arms?

Accepted Answer

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms.

Question 13

Which constitutional amendment prohibits the government from quartering troops in the homes of people without the consent of the property owners?

Accepted Answer

The Third Amendment to the United States Constitution specifically addresses the issue of quartering troops in private homes without the consent of the owner, a response to practices by the British before and during the American Revolutionary War.

Question 14

Which constitutional amendment states that no warrant shall be issued unless probable cause for the warrant is established?

Accepted Answer

The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution requires that no warrants shall be issued except upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Question 15

Which constitutional amendment prohibits double jeopardy?

Accepted Answer

The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution contains the clause against double jeopardy, which protects an individual from being prosecuted twice for the same offense.

Question 16

Which constitutional amendment prohibits a person from having to testify in court against his or her will?

Accepted Answer

The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution includes a provision known as the right against self-incrimination, which allows an individual to refuse to answer any questions or make statements that could be used to incriminate themselves.

Question 17

Which constitutional amendment guarantees the right to face one's accuser?

Accepted Answer

The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right of an accused in a criminal prosecution to confront the witnesses against them, which includes the right to face one's accuser.

Question 18

Which constitutional amendment guarantees that a person has an impartial jury?

Accepted Answer

The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed.

Question 19

Which constitutional amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment?

Accepted Answer

The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the federal government from imposing cruel and unusual punishment, which includes torture or barbaric punishments.

Question 20

Which constitutional amendment prohibits excessive bail?

Accepted Answer

The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the federal government from imposing excessive bail, excessive fines, or cruel and unusual punishment.

Quiz 1: The American Criminal Court System