BLAW EXAM 1 Flashcards
In which of the following cases would a lawyer probably expect to be paid an hourly rate?
Defending Wal-Mart when it is sued by a customer who slipped in a Walmart
You have been involved in a car accident and sustained substantial damages. you have hired an attorney to bring a lawsuit against the driver of the other car. in order to win your case, the attorney would have to prove that the other driver was responsible for your damages by what standard of proof?
by a preponderance of the evidence.
Allen has been charged w/ the crime of sexual assault of a federal employee. he was prosecuted in federal criminal court for violating a federal law and was found “not guilty” by a jury. Which is correct based on the doctrine of double jeopardy?
Allen may still be criminally prosecuted in state court because it is a separate sovereign.
- In 1803 the U.S. Supreme Court decided the landmark case of Marbury v. Madison. This case established the legal precedent that the final interpretation of the U.S. Constitution is within the authority of:
The U.S. Supreme Court
- John, a resident of Fayetteville, Arkansas has sought advice from a lawyer on a point of Arkansas law which is being considered by a trial court judge in Fayetteville. Which of the following would constitute a legal precedent which a trial court judge in Fayetteville should consider to be legally binding?
A decision by the Supreme Court of the state of Arkansas
A federal trial court judge in Fayetteville, Arkansas must interpret Arkansas state law. The Arkansas Supreme Court has previously interpreted this law. No federal court has interpreted this law. Will the federal trial judge be required to follow the precedent set by the Arkansas Supreme Court?
Yes, the Arkansas Supreme Court is the ultimate interpreter of Arkansas law
The “common law” is a system of law that has developed primarily on which of the following doctrines:
Stare Decisis
A jury in a criminal case finds the accused to be “not guilty.” What does this indicate?
The prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Emma was texting while driving when she crashed into Olivia’s car. Olivia’s car was totaled and Olivia suffered a broken leg. Olivia filed a civil suit against Emma to recover damages. Also, Emma is a defendant in a criminal prosecution for violating state law prohibiting texting while driving. Which trial will have the highest burden of proof?
Criminal trial, because the prosecutor must prove Emma guilty beyond a reasonable doubt
The Texas Supreme Court has rendered a decision on a unique negligence issue. No Texas statute or other law addresses this topic. Will Texas trial courts be required to follow the Texas Supreme Court if they try a case with similar facts?
Yes, because this is binding precedent in the state of Texas.
California Police Officer Smith allegedly used unreasonable force when arresting Mia for possession of marijuana. Officer Smith has been charged with of state and federal law. Citing the double jeopardy clause, Officer Smith filed a Motion to Dismiss the state case. How will the judge likely rule?
Deny Officer Smith’s motion because the state and federal governments are separate sovereigns.
Fictitious fact pattern: The Massachusetts legislature creates a statute making it a criminal offense to disparage Tom Brady or Bill Belichick (both famous employees of the New England Patriots football team). Which branch of government has the power to decide whether the Massachusetts statute is constitutional?
The judiciary because of the power of judicial review as established in Marbury v. Madison.
In 1998 the Texas legislature passed a statute with the short name “Texas Fair Pay Act.” In January, 2014, the highest courts of Oklahoma and Texas each rendered opinions interpreting the Texas Fair Pay Act. Now the U.S. Supreme Court is considering a case involving the Texas Fair Pay Act. Assuming no federal law is involved in this case, which state court opinion, if any, is controlling precedent in the U.S. Supreme Court?
The opinion of the Texas court only because that court is the ultimate interpreter of Texas law
The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that a liquor store selling alcohol to minors may be liable for subsequent alcohol related injuries. Nebraska has no statute or case law addressing liability of liquor stores. In Nebraska, Evan is severely injured when a drunk 18-year-old (Mason) causes a traffic accident. In Nebraska state court, Evan sues the liquor store where Mason purchased alcohol and cites the Arkansas Supreme Court ruling in support of his case. The judge:
Does not have to follow the Arkansas opinion because it is not binding precedent in Nebraska
Todd is an employee of the Yankees. Todd tweets under the twitter name “abc123” vulgar messages about the daughter of Burt Skilling (a professional baseball player). Burt tells the Yankees and the Yankees fire Todd. Todd sues the Yankees alleging they violated his First Amendment right to free speech. How will this case likely conclude?
The suit will be dismissed because of the state action doctrine
The “system” of law which is used in 49 is:
Common Law
Elizabeth was injured on a bike trail when Lisa’s dog attacked her bike, causing her to fall and injure her shoulder. The City Prosecutor has charged Lisa with the crime of violating the city’s animal leash laws. Elizabeth also wants to file suit against Lisa to recover damages to her bike and for her shoulder injury. Which best describes the “burden of proof” in both cases?
The City Prosecutor will have to prove his case beyond a reasonable doubt and Elizabeth will have to prove her case by a preponderance of the evidence.
A federal trial court judge in Fayetteville must interpret a unique Arkansas state law issue. No federal law addresses this topic, but the Arkansas Supreme Court has previously interpreted the Arkansas law on this point. Will the federal judge be required to follow the precedent set by the Arkansas Supreme Court?
Yes: the Arkansas Supreme Court is the ultimate interpreter of Arkansas law.
- Assume that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled abortion is illegal for any woman under the age of 21. Which part of the following is correct?
At a later date the Supreme Court can overrule this precedent
Last year the City of Fayetteville passed an Ordinance making it illegal to discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. A group of citizens is appealing the decision to the Arkansas Supreme Court alleging that the law is unconstitutional under the U.S. Constitution. Which of these decisions will be binding precedent on the Arkansas Supreme Court?
An opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court
Gail posts a message on Facebook that makes negative comments about her employer, Oprah.. Gail works for Oprah’s magazine, “O”. When Oprah sees the post, she immediately fires Gail. Gail sues Oprah alleging a violation of her first amendment rights of free speech. Oprah files a Motion to Dismiss. How will the trial court rule?
Dismissed, because there is no state action.
Adam was charged with the crime of embezzling money from his employer. He was prosecuted in state court (Arkansas) and was found not guilty by a jury. Several months later new evidence was discovered that revealed beyond any doubt that Adam had in fact committed the crime in question. Which of the following is true?
Adam cannot be tried again by the state because of the double jeopardy rule.
The origin of the common law system is based primarily on which of the following?
Written decisions of British judges.
You are serving on a jury which is hearing a lawsuit filed by a plaintiff who is alleging that a defendant’s negligent driving caused the plaintiff serious bodily harm. After hearing the case you determine that it is more likely than not that the plaintiff has proven his allegation that the defendant’s negligence caused the plaintiff harm. However you are not sure of this beyond a reasonable doubt. What should you as a juror do in this situation?
Vote in favor of the plaintiff
An Arkansas United States Senator was holding a hearing in Little Rock during which time he was attacked and harmed by an Arkansas citizen. This is a violation of both the U.S. Criminal Code and the Arkansas Criminal Code. The defendant was prosecuted in U.S. criminal court but was held to be not guilty in a jury trial. Which of the following is correct?
The defendant can be prosecuted a second time by the state of Arkansas.
The defendant can be sued in civil court by the Senator who was harmed by the assailant
What important rule of law was first announced in the famous U.S. Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison (1803)?
Courts have the power of judicial review.
An Arkansas state court judge is hearing a case involving an unusual point of Arkansas law. Which of the following would the trial court judge consider to be binding upon him/her?
A decision by the Arkansas Supreme Court
The doctrine of “stare decisis” is most closely associated with:
Common Law.
A jury voted that a defendant was “not guilty.” Which of the following is correct?
The prosecuting attorney failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The common law system relies on which of the following:
stare decisis
The doctrine of “burden of proof” is an important part of U.S. law. Which of the following is correct regarding this doctrine?
In a civil case the plaintiff has the burden of proof.
In a civil case the standard “burden of proof” is “by a preponderance of the evidence.”
Alex attacked a U.S. Postal Worker while she was delivering the mail. This violated state criminal code and U.S. criminal code. Which of the following may bring a lawsuit (civil or criminal) against Lia?
State Government
Federal Government
the U.S. Postal Worker.
Assume that the U.S. Congress passed a law which required public school children to wear uniforms to school. The language of the law was ambiguous and the Supreme Court interpreted the law to mean only high school students. In response to this decision by the Supreme Court Congress changed the language of the law so that it specifically stated that it would apply to all students (not just high school students). Does Congress have the right to change the law in this manner?
Yes, as Congress has the right to change statutory law if they disagree with Supreme Court interpretations.
Which of the following is a “Uniform” statutory law prepared by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Law?
Uniform Commercial Code
A trial court judge in Fayetteville, AR is deciding a case involving an unusual point of Arkansas law. He is hoping that he can find a precedent which will help him decide the case. Which of the following interpretations of the law would be legally binding upon him?
A decision by the Arkansas Supreme Court
Which of the following courts has the final and absolute right to interpret issues of Arkansas law (assuming that no issues of the U.S. Constitution apply to the case)?
Arkansas Supreme Court
A system of law that developed primarily on legal precedent is known as:
Common Law
The doctrine of “burden of proof” is an important part of U.S. law. Which of the following is correct regarding this doctrine?
In a civil case the plaintiff has the burden of proof.
In a civil case the standard “burden of proof” is “by a preponderance of the evidence.”
Which of the following rules of Civil Procedure allows a judge to assess a penalty against a plaintiff”s attorney for filing a frivolous lawsuit?
Rule 11
Which of the following would you expect to observe in an appellate court hearing?
Justices
You are a resident of Arkansas and have taken a trip to Dallas to watch the Arkansas / Texas A&M football game. Upon driving away from the stadium, you are struck by a car driven by a resident of Dallas. This causes substantial damage to your car as well as to your person (estimated total amount for both damages to the car and personal injury: $70,000). There is no issue of federal law. The driver who struck your car seldom goes to Arkansas. In which of the following courts can you bring a lawsuit against this driver?
State court in Texas
Which of the following kinds of cases CANNOT be brought in state court?
Cases involving patents and copyrights
Tom and Will were litigants in a lawsuit in which the trial was heard by a jury in a U.S. District Court in Little Rock, Arkansas. The jury decided the case in favor of Tom, and the judgment was signed by the trial court judge. If Will wishes to appeal the case the appeal would go to which of the following:
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals
In which of the following kinds of cases would a lawyer be most likely to seek payment based on a “contingency fee?”
Representing a plaintiff in a slip and fall case in a Wal-Mart store
In both civil and criminal cases, it is the responsibility of the jury to:
Resolve questions of fact.
Baker is a lawyer in a civil case. He would like to use some of his peremptory challenges to disqualify certain jurors. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that certain jurors cannot be disqualified via a peremptory challenge based on:
Race
Gender (sex)
Which of the following rulings by a trial court judge can be made after the jury renders its verdict?
Judgement NOV
Which of the following is true when a deposition is used in a civil case?
Testimony is taken under oath.
When a dispute arises between a private party and an administrative agency there is usually a hearing between the private party and the agency which is ruled on by an Administrative Law Judge. After the ruling by the ALJ there is usually an appellate ruling by:
The commission as a whole.
When a federal administrative agency develops a new regulation it cannot take effect until which of the following occurs?
Public comment for at least 30 days.
Rule 11 is part of the rules of civil procedure in both federal and state courts. This rule is associated with which of the following?
Frivolous lawsuit.
You have been chosen as a juror in a civil trial. Which of these is your primary responsibility?
Resolve questions of fact.
Which of the following would you normally expect to see in an appellate court hearing?
Justices
U.S. Federal District Court (trial court) judges are normally selected by the following?
Nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
You are a resident of Arkansas. While you are in Dallas, Texas you are injured by a resident of Texas who caused you damages when he was driving a motorcycle. He did not have any insurance. He had never visited Arkansas (although he had heard that it was a beautiful state). You hired an attorney to sue the Texas resident for $100,000 (as you have sustained substantial personal injuries). Which court would have jurisdiction over this case?
Texas state court
U.S. District court in Texas
Which of the following kinds of cases can be heard exclusively in federal court?
Cases in which the United States is a party.
The U.S. Court of Appeals (Eighth Circuit) normally hears cases from which of the following?
U.S. District Courts in Arkansas
Twelve persons have been tentatively selected for a jury in a criminal case. The lawyer for the defense would like to use her peremptory challenges to disqualify certain jurors. Which of the following would constitute an illegal reason to disqualify a juror based on legal precedent set by the U.S. Supreme Court?
The potential juror is a woman
You have been called upon to give a deposition prior to a civil trial. Which of the following is correct?
The deposition is taken under oath.
Lawyers may question you in the deposition
Which of the following occurs during the course of a trial but may not be considered during deliberations?
Opening statement by the lawyers.
You are successful in a civil lawsuit and would like to collect on this judgment. Which of the following is generally allowed in a civil case?
You can seize “non-exempt” assets owned by the defendant.
You can garnish the defendant’s wages.
According to Article III of the Constitution, justices of the Supreme Court and the inferior courts shall hold their offices:
During good behavior.
Fourth amendment precedent allows searches and seizures may be based on any one of three reasons. Which of the following is NOT one of these reasons?
Convenience of the police
Allen obtained a judgment in a breach of contract case whereby he was awarded $100,000 in damages. In order to avoid paying the judgment the defendant moved to a different state. Allen pursued the defendant, and upon locating him brought an action to have his judgment recognized and enforced by the different state. Is this state required to do so?
Yes, under the Full Faith and Credit clause.
Which of the following forms of speech are generally considered to be fully “protected” by the first amendment?
Symbolic speech.