Legal Terminology Part 1

Question 1

What is the significance of learning legal terminology?

Answer 1

It helps in carrying out basic legal functions and ensures precision in communication.

Question 2

How does the meaning of the word ‘court’ change in legal contexts?

Answer 2

It can refer to the judicial branch, a specific judge, or all judges in a district.

Question 3

Why is precision important in legal language?

Answer 3

Inaccuracies can have devastating effects on case outcomes, leading to potential legal consequences.

Question 4

What is the adversarial legal system?

Answer 4

A system where opposing parties battle in court for a favorable result, overseen by a judge.

Question 5

What does the term ‘allege’ mean in a legal context?

Answer 5

To describe a specific charge made in accordance with legal codes.

Question 6

What is the legal implication of the term ‘innocent’?

Answer 6

There is no legal plea of ‘innocent’; pleas are limited to guilty, not guilty, and others.

Question 7

Fill in the blank: A person found not guilty is said to be _______.

Answer 7

acquitted.

Question 8

What does ‘injury’ refer to in legal terms?

Answer 8

An invasion of legal rights adversely affecting a person’s body, property, or reputation.

Question 9

What is meant by ‘damages’ in legal contexts?

Answer 9

Loss, harm, or hurt resulting from an injury, which may include financial compensation.

Question 10

What are the two types of damages often awarded in court?

Answer 10

• Actual (compensatory) damages
• Punitive damages

Question 11

What is an injunction in legal terms?

Answer 11

A command issued by the court either forbidding or compelling specific activities.

Question 12

What are statutory definitions?

Answer 12

Definitions of legal words and phrases officially authorized by a statute.

Question 13

True or False: Courts are always bound to uphold statutory definitions.

Answer 13

False.

Question 14

What does the term ‘remedy’ refer to in legal practice?

Answer 14

The legal means by which a person’s right is enforced and relief is gained.

Question 15

What common Latin term means ‘from the beginning’?

Answer 15

ab initio.

Question 16

What does ‘ad infinitum’ mean?

Answer 16

Without limit.

Question 17

What is the meaning of ‘lex talionis’?

Answer 17

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: The phrase ‘damnum absque injuria’ refers to _______.

Answer 18

loss without injury in the legal sense.

Question 19

What is the essence of Latin terms in legal practice?

Answer 19

They summarize complex concepts uniquely understood within the legal profession.

Question 20

What does ‘in flagrante delicto’ mean?

Answer 20

While the wrong is blazing.

Question 21

What is the role of appellate courts regarding legal definitions?

Answer 21

They analyze and interpret the meanings of legal words and phrases.

Question 22

Knowingly

Answer 22

which may be defined generally as acting with awareness of consequences

Question 23

Sudden and accidental

Answer 23

a phrase found vague and ambiguous in more than 50 cases

Question 24

Explosion

Answer 24

the specific definition of which may or may not provide insurance coverage

Question 25

Day

Answer 25

which has been defined a number of ways

Question 26

Extend

Answer 26

which is often analyzed with reference to the type of behavior or conduct covered by a legal order

Question 27

Combination

Answer 27

which has been defined in a variety of ways

Question 28

Punitive Damages

Answer 28

damages awarded above and beyond compensatory damages as additional punishment

Question 29

Pain and Suffering

Answer 29

mental anguish or physical pain from the injury

Question 30

Actual Damages

Answer 30

(compensatory) represent a sum rewarded to the injured party as compensation for loss or damage

Question 31

Wrongful Act

Answer 31

an act or failure to act that infringes on the rights of another person and causes damage to that person

Question 32

Allegation

Answer 32

refers to a specific charge against a person made in accordance with state or federal legal codes

Question 33

Guilty

Answer 33

an admission of committing the alleged crime

Question 34

Not Guilty

Answer 34

a denial of committing the alleged crime

Question 35

Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity

Answer 35

a denial based on the inability to appreciate the criminality of an act or to form criminal intent

Question 36

Double jeopardy or former jeopardy

Answer 36

a statute that forbids charging someone with a crime for which he or she has already been found not guilty

Question 37

No contest

Answer 37

(nolo contendere) essentially the same as a guilty plea in a criminal case except that it can’t be used as evidence against a defendant later in a private

Question 38

ab absurdo

Answer 38

literally “from the absurd.” Often used to describe an argument that seeks to establish its validity by pointing out the absurdity of the opposing argument.

Question 39

ab initio

Answer 39

From the beginning

Question 40

ad infinitum

Answer 40

Without limit

Question 41

certiorari

Answer 41

Literally “to be certain or assured.” Used to describe petitions from a higher court to certify the record of a case tried in a lower court

Question 42

contra

Answer 42

In opposition to; against

Question 43

damnum absque injuria

Answer 43

No basis for a lawsuit; loss without injury in the legal sense

Question 44

dixi

Answer 44

I have spoken; the matter is settled

Question 45

in flagrante delicto

Answer 45

While the wrong is blazing

Question 46

lex talionis

Answer 46

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth