Choter 6: Lawyers and Judges

Question 1

requirements to become a lawyer (4)

Answer 1

• undergrad bachelor’s degree
• take LSAT
• law school (3yrs full time)
• take and pass bar exam

Question 2

Bachelor’s Degree (2)

Answer 2

• no requirement for major

* ABA says degree doesn’t matter

Question 3

ABA

Answer 3

american bar association

Question 4

LSAT (6)

Answer 4

• required in order to go to law school
• law school admittance test
• measures skills needed in law school
• no law on test
• good range: 120-180
• can take as many times as you want but after 2x schools may average scores

Question 5

LSAT areas (5)

Answer 5

• reading comprehension
• drawing inferences
• critical thinking
• analysis
• logical reasoning

Question 6

law school (4)

Answer 6

• make sure the school is accredited by the ABA
• 205 law schools in US
• tier 1 and tier 2 schools
• ABA doesn’t approve of rankings

Question 7

examples of tier 1 law schools (5)

Answer 7

• harvard
• ucla
• yale
• columbia
• stanford

Question 8

bar exam(2)

Answer 8

• 2 days long, 2x a yr

* only held on last tues/wed in feb and july

Question 9

bar exam day 1 (2)

Answer 9

• 6 essay questions, 4.5hrs

* Multistate Performance Test (MPT), 90mins, fundamental lawyer skills

Question 10

bar exam day 2 (2)

Answer 10

• Multistate Bar Examen, 200 multiple choice

* must achieve a score of at least 272

Question 11

example of reciprocity

Answer 11

if you pass the bar exam in PA, then FL will accept the bar examen but you have to pay for a license

Question 12

pitt, philly, and harisburgh pass results

Answer 12

69%

Question 13

when you need a lawyer (4)

Answer 13

• going to court
• opening a business
• divorce/adoption/custody
• accidents involving injury or damaged property

Question 14

how to find a lawyer (3)

Answer 14

• word of mouth & friends
• look on internet
• billboards/tv

Question 15

how to pay a lawyer (2)

Answer 15

• retainer

* contingency fee

Question 16

retainer (3)

Answer 16

• down payment on total fee
• pay at first % then do down payments
• big corporrations

Question 17

contingency fee (2)

Answer 17

• % of client’s winnings (usually 1/3)

* edgar snyder- “no fee unless we get money for you”

Question 18

working with a lawyer

Answer 18

attorney client privilage

Question 19

attorney client privilage (2)

Answer 19

• anything you tell lawyer they can’t say to other people

* doesn’t cover to threaten

Question 20

attorneys

Answer 20

once licensed, must follow The Code of Professional Responsibility

Question 21

if lawyer goes rogue (3)

Answer 21

• reprimanded
• suspended
• disbarred

Question 22

reprimanded

Answer 22

verbal or written warning

Question 23

suspended

Answer 23

can’t practice law for a period of time

Question 24

disbarred

Answer 24

license taken away bu (in PA) can reapply after 7yrs

Question 25

judges (3)

Answer 25

• preside over trials and hearings
• protect rights of people
• make sure attorneys follow rules

Question 26

how to hecome a judge (2)

Answer 26

• federal: nominated by pres, confirmed by senate. . . senate judiciary committee
• PA: elected, partisan election, after 1st yr. . . uncontested retention election

Question 27

partisan election

Answer 27

candidates must declare a party

Question 28

article 1

Answer 28

legislative judges serve for limited time periods

Question 29

article 3

Answer 29

supreme court judges serve for life

Question 30

cross file

Answer 30

file eith both parties

Question 31

uncontestes rentention election

Answer 31

yes or no vote without party affiliation listed

Question 32

when elections occur (3)

Answer 32

• odd number yrs
• madatory retirement age is 70
• can serve as a senior judge if approved

Question 33

merit selection(4)

Answer 33

• judicial nominating committee selects 3-5 candidates
• state gov makes final selection
• after some time. . . uncontested retention election
• if yes. . . full term, if no. . . process starts over

Question 34

merit selection process(4)

Answer 34

• screening and evaluation by a citizens’ nominating commission
• nomination by governor
• confirmation hearing by senate
• retention election

Question 35

national judicial college(3)

Answer 35

• university of nevada at reno
• chief objective - to improve justices through training and education
• can get a masters, PhD, or certificate of completion

Question 36

when federal judges goes bad

Answer 36

• recall elections
• impeachment
• trial before senate, need 2/3 vote

Question 37

if state judge goes bad in pa

Answer 37

• judicial conduct commissions investigate and hear testimony
• judicial conduct board presents case to court of judicial discipline
• judges may be impeached by house of reps and convicted by 2/3 senate