Final Flashcards
5 Elements of Negligence
- did the defendant owe plaintiff a duty of due care?
- did the defendant breach this duty of due care?
- did the defendant’s breach of the duty of due care cause the plaintiff harm?
- was result of defendant’s breach so remote/bizarre/ unforseable/unusual/ it would be unfair to hold him or her liable
- was the plaintiff actually injured in some way?
If a crime does not injure an identifiable person, it is not a tort
TRUE
A victim of a tort may sue- and recover damages- in a criminal case against the tortfeasor
FALSE
Strict liability only applies to extreme negligence - not “garden variety” negligence
FALSE
Careless actions that result in injuries to others are always crimes - not only torts
FALSE
Motive is an element of tort liability
FALSE
Motive is an element of criminal liability
FALSE
Motive
the overall goal that prompts a person’s actions
not an element of a crime or tort
Intent
involves an express or implied desired to perform a particular act
3 major categories for Strict Liability
Animals
Abnormally Dangerous Activities
Products Liability
The same act can - but only rarely - be both a crime and tort
FALSE
Many actions that constitute torts also constitute crimes, and most crimes involve tortious acts
The same act can be both a breach of contract and a tort
TRUE
The tort of invasion of privacy is always defined as appropriation of another’s name or likeness
FALSE
Professionals have a duty to perform their functions at the same level as would a reasonable person
FALSE
as reasonable professional practicing the same profession
Negligence can be proven w/o showing showing an actual injury
FALSE
injury is the 5th element of negligence
Truth is not a defense to defamation
FALSE
The criminal law of all states is the same b/c all states have adopted a uniform criminal code
FALSE
Since a corporation is not a human being ( and thus cannot be sentenced to to prison) it cannot be convicted
FALSE
For business related crimes, managers cannot be criminally responsible for the conduct of their employees
FALSE
For an act to be deemed criminal, it is necessary that some person be named
FALSE
there are victimless crimes
Bribery
illegal payments or offers to pay, whether money, property, or services, to a political campaign, to government officials, or to other persons such a the employees of a competing firm, for the purpose of receiving favorable treatment, proprietary information, or other assistance that the briber either is not entitled to receive or - at the very least- cannot lawfully receive by the method chosen (kickbacks or payoffs)
Bribery requires the use of violence or the threat of violence
FALSE
White-collar crimes, typically, involve violence or the threat of violence
FALSE
Due process rights apply only to individuals - not artificial beings, such as corporations
FALSE
Appellate court - not trial court judges - establish and define crimes and specify their punishment
FALSE
Felonies consist of only federal crimes - serious federal crimes
FALSE
Perjury occurs only in court (federal or state)
FALSE
perjury is the act of a person deliberately making material false or misleading statements while under oath
Comparative negligence has been rejected by most states
FALSE
The degree of care required of a person is that which an extraordinary person would exercise under similar circumstances
FALSE
The concept of immunity from liability means that certain persons are not subject to tort liability
TRUE
The widest range of tort liability arises in the area of negligence
TRUE
Defamation of a public figure requires the additional element of ?
malice
Delores strikes Betty but not purposefully. Betty should sue Delores for?
negligence
Regarding torts and crimes
every crime is a tort
Commercial exploitation can be a type of invasion of privacy
TRUE
For tort liability to be imposed, the tortfeasor must have acted w/the intent to do wrong
FALSE
Which statement is correct?
a. If the defendant is found guilty, he he/she may appeal.
b. If the defendant is found not guilty, the government can appeal
C. If the jury cannot arrive at a unanimous decision about the defendant’s guilt/innocence, the jury (in the great majority of U.S. legal systems) is considered a “hung jury” and the trial judge must order the jury to continue its deliberations until it reaches a unanimous decision.
d. For jury trials, every state judicial system requires a unanimous vote for a conviction.
e. None of the above.
a. If the defendant is found guilty, he he/she may appeal.
Which statement is correct?
a. A person charged with any crime in any jurisdiction (state/territory) is presumed guilty until proven innocent.
b. The government has the burden of proving that the accused (the defendant) is guilty of the crime charged.
c. The defendant - to be convicted - must be found guilty by “clear and convincing evidence.”
d. None of the above.
e. B and c.
b. The government has the burden of proving that the accused (the defendant) is guilty of the crime charged.
A plea of nolo contendere (no contest) means that the accused agrees to the imposition of a penalty but does not admit guilt.
TRUE
There is no such thing as criminal negligence
FALSE
IE; MICHAEL JACKSON’S DOCTOR
Criminal laws:
a. Vary from state to state.
b. Are the same from state to state.
c. Are the same from state to state, except for white collar crimes.
d. Are the same from state to state, except for violent crimes.
e. none of the above
a. Vary from state to state.
A person can be guilty of a crime even if her attempt to commit a crime was unsuccessful or incomplete.
TRUE
For an act to be a crime, it is necessary that some person be harmed.
FALSE
“Mental state” does not require an awareness of guilt.
TRUE
Regarding business crimes, managers/supervisors cannot be held criminally responsible for the conduct of their employees.
FALSE
An innocent person convicted of a crime is always able to obtain compensation for the injustice he/she suffered.
FALSE
Crimes are defined - and their punishments (maximums and minimums) - are specified by:
a. Trial court judges.
b. Appellate court judges.
c. The United State Constitution.
d. The U.S. Constitution and state constitutions.
e. None of the above.
e. None of the above.
A public official, appointed/elected to represent the state in criminal cases in a particular judicial district:
a. District attorney.
b. City attorney.
c. United States attorney.
d. Solicitor General
a. District attorney.
A serious crime, usually punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death:
a. Infraction
b. Felony
c. Misdemeanor
d. None of the above.
b. Felony
Which of the following is true?
a. Felonies are less serious than misdemeanors.
b. Felonies involve violent crimes only.
c. Felonies are federal crimes only.
d. A defendant charged with a felony has the right to a preliminary hearing or grand jury.
e. None of the above.
d. A defendant charged with a felony has the right to a preliminary hearing or grand jury.
Which statement is incorrect?
a. Some states do not let a criminal defendant refuse to take the stand.
b. Some states protect criminal defendants against self-incrimination, but allow the judge or jury to draw an adverse inference from a defendant’s decision not to take the stand.
c. In the U.S. - under the federal judicial system and all state judicial systems - a criminal defendant does not have to take the stand and no adverse inference is permitted.
d. A-b are both incorrect.
e. A-c are all incorrect.
d. A-b are both incorrect.
Daniel Dipstick is hurrying to catch a plane at SFO. And drives his car at 60 mph through a stop sign. He did not intend to hurt anyone by his reckless driving., Nevertheless, he struck a pedestrian, knocking her 50 feet in the air and killing her. Which statement is correct?
a. Dipstick is guilty of attempted murder.
b. Dipstick is guilty of murder.
c. Dipstick is guilty of manslaughter.
d. None of the above.
c. Dipstick is guilty of manslaughter.
The provision found in the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which bars an individual from being criminally prosecuted/sentenced twice for substantially the same offense:
a. Due process clause
b. Ex post-facto clause
c. Retroactive clause
d. Double jeopardy clause
d. Double jeopardy clause
A crime can be committed only if ________ of its elements have been fulfilled.
a. all
b. a majority
c. the most significant
d. None of the above
a. all
To be a crime, the act must _________ be accompanied by a criminal intent.
a. always
b. usually
c. occasionally
d. None of the above
b. usually
_________ judge may formulate/introduce a new crime if he/she believes a new crime is essential to convict the defendant and in his/her estimation the defendant deserves to be convicted of some crime.:
a. No
b. A trial
c. Only an appellate court
d. None of the above
a. No
In class, Zuckerman discussed how his ex- real-life attorney was convicted of burglary. Burglary is a general intent crime.
FALSE
As respects Zuckerman’s ex-attorney, Zuckerman explained that administrative agencies always/almost always treat felonies as “moral turpitude offenses” but never/almost never view misdemeanors as moral turpitude offenses.
FALSE
Miranda warnings include the following:
a. You have the right to remain silent.
b. Any statement you make may be used as evidence against you.
c. You have the right to an attorney present during any questioning.
d. If you cannot afford to hire an attorney, the court will appoint one for you, if you so desire, before any questioning.
e. All of the above.
e. All of the above
Miranda warnings pertain only to federal criminal cases - not state criminal cases.
FALSE
Linda a Hayward police officer, conducted an unconstitutional search of Zuckerman’s (she needed a search warrant but did not obtain one). During her search, she found a key to a locker at the Amtrak train station in Emeryville. Inside that locker was evidence that Zuckerman was part of a notorious East Bay gang that sells illegal drugs throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Based only on these facts, that evidence would be excluded in Zuckerman’s trial.
a. True
b. False
c. Dude, I need more information
a. True
A person who is declared legally insane cannot be criminally responsible.
TRUE
Generally (not always), a police officer cannot arrest someone without a warrant.
FALSE
What is a correct statement about the plea of nolo contendere?
a. It is Latin for “no contest.’
b. It is an implied confession of guilt.
c. The court (trial judge) will treat it as the equivalent of a guilty plea.
d. It leaves the defendant free to deny his/her guilt at any subsequent civil proceedings.
e. All of the above.
e. All of the above.
If a defendant pleads guilty at his/her arraignment, is he or she still entitled to a preliminary hearing/grand jury?
a. Yes, but only if he/she plead guilty to a felony.
b. Yes, period.
c. No.
d. Dude, I need more information.
c. No
Which of the following is definitely a felony?
a. Reckless driving.
b. Disturbing the peace.
c. Robbery.
d. Burglary.
e. None of the above.
c. Robbery.
What is a correct statement about negligence?
a. As the criminal act must be accompanied by criminal intent, there is no such thing as criminal negligence.
b. Negligence is a concept more frequently used in civil cases than in criminal cases.
c. In criminal law., negligence or recklessness is equivalent to a general criminal intent.
d. B and c are both correct.
D. B and c are both correct.
Bribery requires the use of violence or threatened violence
FALSE
An act that constitutes a felony in one state will necessarily be a felony in all other states.
FALSE
Which statement about proof of motive is correct?
a. It is unimportant when the defendant’s guilt is clearly established.
b. It may be relevant when the defendant’s guilt is not clearly established.
c. The existence of motive tends to prove guilt.
d. The absence of proof a motive indicates innocence.
e. All of the above.
e. All of the above.
A specific criminal intent is an element of some - but not most - crimes
TRUE
Can an officer or director of a corporation go to prison for a crime that the corporation commits even though he/she was not convicted?
NO
Plea bargains are binding on the court. That is, a trial judge does not have the power to “bust” a plea bargain
FALSE
Jury trials are available for all felony cases, but almost never available to defendants charged only with misdemeanors
FALSE
The prosecutor - not the defendant - decides whether there will be a jury.
FALSE
___________ is a screening device to prevent hasty, malicious and oppressive prosecutions.
a. A preliminary hearing.
b. A grand jury.
c. An arraignment
d. All of the above
e. A and b
e. A and b
The right against double jeopardy is guaranteed in federal - but not state - courts
FALSE
ITS BOTH
Zuckerman, a crooked bank teller, steals cash that bank customers deposited. This is robbery
FALSE
THIS IS EMBESSLEMENT
Manslaughter is the unlawful killing of a human being with malice.
FALSE
THIS IS MURDER
Robbery is the taking of personal property from another person’s home, office, commercial building or other structure after entering the building/structure without authority
FALSE
THIS IS BURGLARY
“White collar” crimes, typically, involve cunning and deceit - not physical force.
TRUE
Burglary is defined as the taking of personal property from another by use of force or fear of force.
FALSE
THIS IS ROBBERY
Actus reus refers to “evil intent” - the possession of the required state of mind to commit a crime.
FALSE
The crime of bribery can involve:
a. Money
b. Property
c. Favors
d. Anything of value
d. Anything of value
- Nadine Nogoodnik is the purchasing agent for ABC, Inc. It is her job to buy all of the equipment that ABC needs to manufacture is widgets. Lester Larcenous is a sales representative for a company that makes certain equipment that ABC can use to manufacture its widgets. Lester offers to pay Nadine a 10% “kickback” if she buys equipment from him. Nadine accepts the offer and orders the equipment. Which statement is correct?
a. Nadine is guilty of bribery, but not Lester.
b. Lester is guilty of bribery but not Nadine.
c. Both Lester and Nadine are guilty of bribery.
d. None of the above.
c. Both Lester and Nadine are guilty of bribery.
- Ain many criminal cases, the government enters into a plea- bargaining agreement with the defendant. The government does this for the following reason(s):
a. Avoid the risks of trial.
b. Save $$$
c. Prevent further overcrowding of prisons
d. All of the above
?????
As you know, pop icon, Michel Jackson died in June 2009, from a massive overdose of the general anesthetic, propofol. Subsequently, Jackson’s physician, Dr. Conrad Murray was charged with - and convicted of - what crime?
a. First degree murder.
b. Second degree murder.
c. Voluntary manslaughter.
d. Involuntary manslaughter.
d. Involuntary manslaughter.
In the famous case of R v. Dudley and Stephens (often called “cannibalism on the high seas”), the defendants asserted the following defense:
a. Self-defense
b. Duress
c. Necessity
d. None of the above
c. Necessity
- Harry buys oxycodone from a dealer named “Grandpa” after a prescription for the drug he’d been given to treat knee pain ran out and his treating physician would not renew it. He bought the drugs on credit as he was unemployed and did not have the $150. To pat Grandpa. A few weeks later, Grandpa and his thug associates started coming by to demand the $150. Harry was so scared that he and his mother (Harry lived with his mom) moved from the apartment in which they were living.
Just a few days later, however, Grandpa and his crew appeared outside Harry’s new apartment. They forced Harry into their car, where (according to Harry) one of Grandpa’s associated told him that he was either going to pay up that night or “get beaten so bad” his mother wouldn’t recognize him. Then according to Harry, Grandpa gave him a phony prescription for oxycodone with Harry’s name on it and told Harry that he (Harry) was going to go to the downtown Hayward CVC store and fill the prescription to clear his debt. Harry said that two of Grandpa’s thugs went into the CVC store with him to make certain that he filled the prescription. Later, the Hayward police arrested Harry and he was subsequently charged with trafficking in oxycodone and obtaining a prescription by fraud.
You are Harry’s defense counsel. What defense are you going to assert?
a. Self-defense
b. Necessity
c. Duress
d. Entrapment
e. None of the above
????//
Albert, 72, lived alone in a single- family house. He was a semi-retired handyman and was extremely upset that some expensive tools had been stolen from his garage. Thus, he mounted a .22 caliber pistol in his garage. The pistol was aimed at the center of the garage door and was set to discharge if the door was opened several inches. One day, two high school punks, ages 15 and 16, tried to break into Albert’s garage. Upon opening the door, the 16-year old was shot in the face by the gun. He survived - barely.
Now, the Alameda County DA is prosecuting Albert for assault with a deadly weapon. You are Albert’s attorney. What is Albert’s defense?
a. Self-defense. b. Duress c. Necessity d. Entrapment
Should Albert be convicted?
a. Self-defense.
Roxanne was a single-mother - she had a baby daughter, Deanna. Roxanne’s new boyfriend (not Deanna’s father) was Horace. Horace moved in with Roxanne and Deanna (when Deanna was just 10-months old) in their Hayward home. One day, Horace volunteered to watch Deanna while Roxanne went to work. When Roxanne returned, Deanna was screaming and seriously burned on her bottom and side. Horace said he gave her a bath, but the water suddenly got too hot.
Three months later, Deanna arm broke when Horace tried to pull her from Roxanne’s arms. Then a month later, Deanna received a black eye while in Horace’s care. And a few weeks after that, Horace screamed in Deanna’s face when she was crying.
About six months later, Deanna died from severe beating and shaking injuries suffered while in Horace’s care. The medical examination revealed that Deanna also had preexisting injuries from other incidents of abuse. Prosecutors charged Horace with murder. Additionally, they charged Roxanne with felony child endangerment.
The prosecution’s case against Roxanne will fail as there is no proof that Roxanne had any criminal intent. T/F
FALSE
Proof of motive is essential to a conviction. That is, an element of every crime
FALSE
Proof of motive is essential to a conviction. That is, an element of every crime
FALSE
Matthew Stafford, a famous American football player, discovered that his picture was appearing on billboards throughout the states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Alabama endorsing a big food company’s new energy bar. The food company had not received Stafford’s permission for use of either his picture or his endorsement.
a. Stafford can successfully sue the food company for defamation.
b. Stafford can successfully sue the food company for invasion of privacy.
c. Stafford can successfully sue the food company for breach of contract.
d. The food company committed a crime and a tort.
b. Stafford can successfully sue the food company for invasion of privacy.
Abel, an instructor at CSUEB, unknown to his department chairperson or to anyone else at CSUEB, was under the care of Dr. I.M. Cain, a Hayward psychiatrist, for certain mental issues that did not – in any possible way – interfere with his job. At a CSUEB social function – to which Dr.Cain was invited – Dr. Cain discussed Abel’s psychotherapy sessions with some of Abel’s colleagues, including his department chairperson. As Abel was – in no way – a threat to anybody, Dr. Cain had no need to warn anybody about him. Nevertheless, as a result of Dr. Cain’s disclosure about Abel’s mental condition to his chairperson and other colleagues, Abel lost his job.
a. Abel can successfully sue Dr. Cain for defamation.
b. Abe can successfully sue Dr. Cain for invasion of privacy.
c. Abel can successfully successfully sue Dr. Cain for invasion of privacy and malpractice (professional negligence).
d. Abel can successfully sue Dr. Cain for invasion of privacy, malpractice (professional negligence), and breach of contract.
e. None of the above.
d. Abel can successfully sue Dr. Cain for invasion of privacy, malpractice (professional negligence), and breach of contract.
Nancy Nogoodnik was criminally charged by the state of California and convicted of robbery. She had attacked and badly beaten – after taking $1,000 from the store’s cash register – a 7-11 store clerk in San Leandro.
a. In addition to the conviction, the 7-11 clerk can sue Nancy for assault and battery.
b. After being convicted, Nancy cannot be sued for the same offense (this would be “double jeopardy”).
c. Need more information, dude.
a. In addition to the conviction, the 7-11 clerk can sue Nancy for assault and battery.
______________________ deals with private wrongs and affects individuals – not society as a whole.
a. Criminal law
b. Tort law
c. Criminal law and tort law
d. Need more information, dude.
b. Tort law
At the start of his Legal Environment of Business class, Zuckerman asked Ms. Hudson to remain after class to discuss her terrible attendance record. However, at the end of the class, Hudson refused to stay as she had another class across campus that was beginning in 10 minutes. Zuckerman responded by blocking the exit so that Hudson was unable to leave as she wanted to do.
a. Hudson may claim false arrest.
b. Hudson may claim false imprisonment.
c. Hudson may claim false imprisonment and false arrest.
d. Hudson may claim false imprisonment, false arrest and defamation.
b. Hudson may claim false imprisonment.
Jennifer, a waitress at a Denny’s coffee shop, had the misfortune of waiting on Zuckerman, a very rude customer. Finally, after having endured a number of impolite comments, Jennifer said to Zuckerman, “Okay, jerkface, I’ve had enough – unless you leave right now, I’m going to throw this cup of coffee in your face!” Zuckerman refused to leave, and Jennifer made good on her threat – she threw Zuckerman’s cup of coffee in his face.
a. Jennifer is liable to Zuckerman for assault.
b. Jennifer is liable to Zuckerman for battery.
c. Jennifer is liable to Zuckerman for assault and battery.
d. If any third person (i.e. customer, other Denny’s employee, etc.) heard Jennifer call Zuckerman “jerkface,” Jennifer would also be liable to Zuckerman for defamation.
e. Zuckerman will have a choice – either press criminal charges against Jennifer, or sue her for tort damages. He cannot do both.
c. Jennifer is liable to Zuckerman for assault and battery.
Same scenario as #6, above. Zuckerman wants to sue Denny’s.
a. Zuckerman is out of luck. Denny’s will definitely not be liable.
b. Zuckerman will be successful. This is a classic case of respondeat superior.
c. Unless Denny’s manager/s told Jennifer to act as she did, Denny’s will not be liable to Zuckerman.
d. Dude, I need more information.
d. Dude, I need more information
Jim is an employee of the Hayward Bakery Co. His car is in the shop for repairs and body work (he recently was involved in an accident). In the meantime, Jim has permission to drive one of the company’s delivery trucks – Jim’s boss, Dave, said, “No biggie, Jim, until your car is repaired, you can use the company’s truck to go to and from work.” However, one night after work, Jim, decided that he wanted to see the Oakland A’s play against the Baltimore Orioles at the O. Co. Coliseum. On the way to the baseball stadium, Jim stopped at a bar, and became drunk. Then, once on the road headed to the ballpark), Jim drove too fast for the existing road conditions, and the company truck collided with another car – tragically, the other motorist was killed. Now, the other motorist’s widow and two children are suing Jim and his employer for wrongful death. Lastly, until this terrible accident, Jim had a perfect driving record.
a. Jim will be liable in tort, but not his employer.
b. Jim and his employer will both be liable in tort. .
c. Jim will be liable – both in tort and criminally – as will his employer.
d. Jim will be liable (in tort and criminally), but his employer will only be liable in tort (not criminally).
a. Jim will be liable in tort, but not his employer.
or
d. Jim will be liable (in tort and criminally), but his employer will only be liable in tort (not criminally).
Zuckerman, an alcoholic, down on his luck attorney, owes thousands of dollars to various credit card companies. One particular collection agency, “Rat Dog Collections,” has been calling Zuckerman every night – until midnight – at his home. Their collection specialists call Zuckerman names, such as “deadbeat” and “parasite.” They also threaten Zuckerman by saying, “You will lose your job if you don’t pay up.” This type of conduct by Rat Dog collection specialists has caused Zuckerman tremendous anguish and worry.
a. Zuckerman has a cause of action for defamation against Rat Dog.
b. Zuckerman has a cause of action for the intentional infliction of emotional distress.
c. Zuckerman has no valid cause of action against Rat Dog.
d. Zuckerman has a cause of action for invasion of privacy against Rat Dog.
e. Zuckerman can successfully sue Rat Dog for defamation, invasion of privacy, and the intentional infliction of emotional distress.
b. Zuckerman has a cause of action for the intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Ted is an in-house accountant for Superior Widget Company. Louella Parsons, Superior’s CEO, in an attempt to make the company’s financial statements look better, has instructed Ted to falsely boost sales figures. This little trick made it look as if the company was actually making money – in fact, it was losing money.
a. Ted is liable for civil fraud, but not criminal fraud.
b. Ted is not liable, either civilly or criminally, as he was just following his boss’s orders.
c. Ted is liable for both civil and criminal fraud.
d. Ted is liable for both civil and criminal fraud, and – if his wrongdoing is discovered by third parties – will, in all probability, lose his CPA license.
d. Ted is liable for both civil and criminal fraud, and – if his wrongdoing is discovered by third parties – will, in all probability, lose his CPA license.
Assumption of the risk is a defense against people who voluntarily expose themselves to a risk of harm, suffer an injury, and then sue.
TRUE
A group of CSUEB students decided to hold a picnic and swimming pool party at the Hayward Hills home of Bob Bigbucks, who was on vacation. They had a great time – just one problem: They never asked for Bigbucks’s permission.
a. The students committed a nuisance.
b. The students committed a trespass.
c. Bigbucks can sue the students for conversion.
d. The students can be found liable for both civil and criminal trespass.
d. The students can be found liable for both civil and criminal trespass.
A trade secret consists of any information (financial, scientific, technical, etc.), technique, formula/method/process that is used in business and that provides this business an advantage that its competitor(s) do not know about. Please select from the choices below the ways in which a trade secret may be improperly acquired.
a. Industrial espionage (i.e. spying, electronic surveillance).
b. Bribery.
c. Fraud.
d. Interception of communications.
e. All of the above.
e. All of the above.
Betty, a single mother of two small children (ages 9 and 11), is a grammar school teacher. To earn more money, Betty teaches music – including the drums – in a small, makeshift music studio in her garage, between the hours of 7 pm and 11 pm. However, the loud noises from the garage are disturbing Betty’s neighbors.
a. Betty’s neighbors appear to have a valid cause of action for nuisance against Betty.
b. Betty’s neighbors appear to have a valid cause of action for trespass against Betty.
c. Betty’s neighbors appear to have valid causes of action for nuisance and trespass against Betty.
d. Betty’s neighbors appear to have valid causes of action for nuisance, trespass, and intentional infliction of emotional distress against Betty.
a. Betty’s neighbors appear to have a valid cause of action for nuisance against Betty.
A wrongful death lawsuit can only be based on an intentional act – never a negligent act.
FALSE
In almost all states, the harsh and unfair rules of comparative negligence have been replaced by contributory negligence.
FALSE
- . Lester, a CSUEB professor, suffered a sudden, massive heart attack behind the wheel of his car and, as a result, lost control of his car. Tragically, Lester’s car struck two young brothers, 11 and 9, as they were crossing an intersection – Lester’s car went through a red light – the two boys were in a pedestrian crosswalk and they had the right of way. Assume Lester reasonably believed that he was in perfect health, and that immediately before the heart attack, Lester was driving under the speed limit, and, in no way, was operating his car negligently.
a. Lester is liable for wrongful death based on negligence.
b. Lester is strictly liable for the tragedy.
c. Lester’s lack of knowledge regarding his poor health will constitute a defense in any criminal proceeding, but will be help him in a civil action.
d. Lester appears not to be liable – either civilly (tort) or criminally – for this tragedy.
d. Lester appears not to be liable – either civilly (tort) or criminally – for this tragedy.
Compensatory damages are to punish – and make an example of – the defendant.
a. True
b. False
c. Dude, it depends.
b. False
Dexter was the office manager for a group of five orthopedic surgeons. In 2016, he developed a gambling addiction, and became heavily in debt. Increasingly desperate, he falsified patient records and took money from the physicians’ accounts to pay his debts. What type of theft offense did Dexter commit?
a. Larceny
b. Shoplifting
c. Embezzlement
d. False pretenses
c. Embezzlement
Let’s pretend the following facts: Suppose (a) the San Francisco Giants baseball club had a famous pitcher named Warren Spahn; (b) a writer named Ted Jones wrote a biography of Spahn that was aimed at children; and (c) the biography made Spahn out to be a war hero by falsely claiming that he had earned the Bronze Star while he was stationed in Afghanistan. Assume that Spahn is very upset because though he is proud of his military service, he did not earn the Bronze Star and does not want anybody to think he was a hero when he was not.
What cause of action should Spahn claim against the author and publisher of his biography?
a. Defamation
b. Intentional infliction of emotional distress
c. Invasion of privacy – public disclosure of private facts
d. Invasion of privacy – false light
e. Invasion of privacy – intruding upon a person’s right to be left alone
d. Invasion of privacy – false light
Through deception, a magazine entitled Hustler, which is devoted to the publication of lewd pictures of women and to sexual exploitation, obtained a picture of an entertainer, Jeannie Braun, who performed an amusement park act with a swimming pig. The picture showed Ms. Braun with her pig in a swimming pool, with the caption: [required]
What would be the most appropriate cause of action for Ms. Braun to assert against Hustler?
a. Defamation
b. Invasion of privacy – false light
c. Intentional infliction of emotional distress
d. Intentional infliction of emotional distress – public disclosure of private facts
b. Invasion of privacy – false light
crime = A private wrong against an individual
tort = A public wrong against society
FALSE
crime = The plaintiff is the prosecution (either the state or federal government). (The offended person is usually a witness against the defendant).
tort = Plaintiff is , typically, an individual or business..
TRUE
crime = Mostly, case law (aka “common law”).
tort = Mostly, common law”.
FALSE
crime = Burden of proof for plaintiff (prosecutor) is beyond a reasonable doubt.
tort = Plaintiff’s burden of proof is, generally, a preponderance of the evidence.
TRUE
crime = Consent is rarely a defense.
tort = Consent is usually a defense.
TRUE
crime = No damages are necessary.
tort = Damages must be proven.
TRUE
crime = Basis for criminal guilt: Generally, an intentional act, but sometimes recklessness (gross negligence) and, in rare cases, strict liability.
tort = Basis for tort liability: An intentional act, negligence, or strict liability.
TRUE