Civil and Criminal Law

Question 1

What’s the purpose of criminal law?

Answer 1

To regulate public behavior and conduct.

Question 2

What’s the purpose of civil law?

Answer 2

To regulate relations between individuals or groups.

Question 3

What is a felony?

Answer 3

Carries a penalty of a year or more in prison.

Question 4

What is a misdemeanor?

Answer 4

Carries a penalty of one year or less in prison.

Question 5

Who brings on criminal cases?

Answer 5

The government.

Question 6

What is a lawsuit? (Civil action)

Answer 6

A lawsuit is brought by someone who was wronged by another.

Question 7

How must guilt be proven in criminal cases?

Answer 7

Guilt must be proven 100%. Juries must agree completely and there can be no other way the crime occurred.

Question 8

How must guilt be proven in civil cases?

Answer 8

The plaintiff must have evidence. Juries must reach a majority decision of 51% in agreement that the defendant was responsible.

Question 9

What is an arrest?

Answer 9

A person suspected of a crime is taken into custody.

Question 10

What are two legal ways to search a property?

Answer 10

By probable cause- police have a reasonable belief a crime has been committed.
By warrant-court order stemming from the police, or witnesses.

Question 11

What is a search warrant?

Answer 11

A court order is obtained from a judge who is convinced that there is a need to search a person’s place.

Question 12

What is booking?

Answer 12

A formal process of making a police record of the arrest.

Question 13

What is a judicial officer’s job?

Answer 13

Explains a criminal’s rights and charges before a hearing.

Question 14

What is bail?

Answer 14

A person may be released after paying money.

Question 15

What is personal recognizance?

Answer 15

A person promises the return and is likely to show up to a trial.

Question 16

What is a grand jury indictment?

Answer 16

A jury that determines if there is enough evidence to continue to a trial. Formally charges a person with a crime.

Question 17

What are some rights you have at the trial?

Answer 17

6th Amendment rights to trial by jury of your peers. (12 people)
The jury must reach a complete agreement on a verdict.
You have the right to a fair, speedy, public trial.
May confront witnesses.

Question 18

What is direct examination?

Answer 18

When witnesses are first questioned by the prosecutor and then by the defense.

Question 19

Who sentences a criminal?

Answer 19

A judge

Question 20

What percent of cases go to trial?

Answer 20

Less than 2%

Question 21

What is prosecutorial discretion?

Answer 21

When there is no charge for a criminal.

Question 22

What is prosecutorial diversion?

Answer 22

First-time or special offenders avoid the criminal justice system.

Question 23

What is a plea bargain?

Answer 23

Admission of guilt in return for a lesser charge/sentence.

Question 24

What is utilitarianism?

Answer 24

To discourage someone from committing a crime in the future.

Question 25

What is retribution?

Answer 25

When someone is held accountable (penalty) for a crime.

Question 26

What is denunciation?

Answer 26

To announce publicly the wrongdoings of a criminal.

Question 27

What is a tort?

Answer 27

A wrongful act leading to civil liability.

Question 28

What is a liability?

Answer 28

Someone taking legal accountability.

Question 29

What is a remedy?

Answer 29

Compensation for an injury/loss.

Question 30

What is a settlement?

Answer 30

An official agreement to a civil case.

Question 31

What is the 4th Amendment?

Answer 31

There can be no unreasonable search or seizures on your property.