Trouble Areas Flashcards
These cards are designed to remedy errors.
What is the value of whether other neighbors have complained about a nuisance in establishing a defense?
Whether others have complained is relevant in establishing reasonableness.
What happens if a contract fails to specify a delivery date under the UCC?
Where a delivery time is not specified the contract is valid and the seller must deliver the goods within a “reasonable time.”
When does borrowing become larceny?
(1) When the time is unreasonable and (2) when used in a matter creating a substantial risk of loss.
What risk of loss is present in driving a car?
Driving per se is not a substantial risk unless the driving is reckless. Otherwise ordinary or reasonable.
What is the alienability of future interest in land as part of a potentially expanding class?
Even if the class may expand, the interest can be voluntarily or involuntarily transferred, including by creditors.
What is the admissibility of former testimony under oath of an unavailable witness at a criminal trial?
The evidence is admissible for the truth of the matter asserted as a hearsay exception.
What rights do the heirs of joint tenants have over the proceeds of a joint sale when one of the tenants dies before conveyance?
None. All rights and proceeds from a sale of a joint tenancy go to the survivor of the tenancy.
What is the priority in an explicit subordination agreement between mortgagee-debtors when there is a recording statute?
The agreement will prevail despite the recording statute.
Can the government adopt a statement that originates in one religion and refuse to adopt a statement that originates in another?
Yes because the government is free to choose which messages it will and will not convey absent any other prescriptions so long as it displays some diversity of religious expression.
What is required to object when evidence is obtained illegally?
Standing. If evidence was obtained illegally in violation of another person’s rights, a different defendant may not be able to object to their admission.
What can a prior inconsistent statement be used to do?
Any prior inconsistent statement may be used to impeach at any time including as a means of impeaching a statement that is an admissible hearsay statement.
When can police search a car?
(1) Threat to officer safety, (2) threat of evidence destruction, and (3) searching for evidence associated with an arrest.
What is the best defense against nuisance?
The plaintiff is hyper-sensitive.
What is a bad defense against nuisance?
The plaintiff moved to the area. That ONLY counts as part of the calculus and is not determinative.
What is the one term that may not be “gap-filled” in the UCC?
Quantity.
Price, time, etc. can all be gap-filled.
What type of contract does the UCC disfavor?
Unilateral.
What is one of the strongest defenses to defamation?
Invitation to comment. Even if false.
What is the after-acquired property doctrine?
An heir may sell their interest in advance of the interest passing.
What is the effect of a guilty plea on 4th Amendment rights?
None. Accepting a plea does not prevent a criminal defendant from asserting a civil claim against the government for a violation of their rights.
What is an accord?
A new agreement to change how to fulfill a prior agreement.
What is satisfaction?
The fulfillment of an accord.
What is always relevant to breach for a negligence action?
The reasonableness of an action or response.
What does co-tenancy give?
The ability to hold and possess the entire land regardless of the portion of interest.
Under common law tort, who may sue for trespass?
Only the tenant or person in possession. In modern law, it can be the landlord.
What is the name of a sub-lease or non-assignment clause?
A lesser restraint on alienation. They are valid.
What is the order of priority in a foreclosure?
(1) Sale & legal expenses, (2) foreclosing party principal & accrued interest; (3) junior lienors in the order of priority; (4) mortgagor-debtor.
What happens when a foreclosure does not cover the loan amounts when there is an anti-deficiency statute?
(1) Senior mortgages attach to the land, (2) junior mortgages are wiped out, and (3) senior lenders can go after original lenders on a contractual basis.
To recover a deficiency after foreclosure, who can a senior lender sue?
(1) Debtor or assigns, and (2) current landholder as a surety. Recovery can only happen once.
What happens when a foreclosure does not cover the loan amounts in common law?
(1) Senior mortgages attach to the land, (2) junior mortgages can sue, but do not attach.
What happens to a mortgage priority if there is a modification?
Where there are multiple mortgages and a senior modifies the mortgage arrangement their debt is subordinated.
What happens to a real covenant when an adverse possessor takes title to the land?
Notice is irrelevant thus covenants only pass if adhered to by the adverse possessor prior to taking title.
What is required for an adverse possessor to take the title of an entire tract when they only possess part of the tract?
(1) Color of title, and (2) reasonable proportion between actually possessed part and the whole.
What is the default majority rule for property taxes in adverse possession?
An adverse possessor may successfully bring an action to quiet title even if they have not paid the property taxes.
What happens to a reverter if the holder takes no action despite knowing of the violation?
The person in violation of the fee simple determinable becomes an adverse possessor.
What is necessary for stand-your-ground defense?
The defendant must be in an area they are lawfully allowed to be and have special dominion such as home or work.
What are attributes of the parties contributing to the element of “extreme and outrageous” conduct?
If (1) tortfeasor is an authority, common carrier, or innkeeper or (2) victim is very young, old, or vulnerable.
What form of intent in torts is a court more likely to consider?
A lesser, but sufficient form of intent than pure malice.
What conditions are necessary for bystander IIED?
(1) The victim is a close family member of the plaintiff OR (2) the plaintiff suffered PHYSICAL symptoms.
What are the forms of interference that give rise to liability for conversion?
(1) Intentional interference through (a) preventing possession or control, (b) refusing to return, (c) exceeding scope of consent.
(2) Criminal interference through (a) accepting stolen goods, (b) fraud or duress, (c) destruction or arson.
(3) Unwittingly through (a) wrong return, (b) fundamentally altering the character, (c) exposing to unreasonable risk.
What is the rule for “consent implied by law” in an emergency?
(1) Apparently necessary contact in an emergency to prevent harm, and (2) no reason to believe consent would be declined.
What is the scope of private necessity defense?
A trespasser may intrude only for as long as the emergency exists. A failure to vacate after may create liability.
What damages are recoverable from a person involuntarily trespassing.
None. Trespass requires intent.
When does the law assume implied consent?
(1) If a reasonable person, (2) under the circumstances, (3) would assume consent.
What is not necessary to consider in determining consent in a non-emergency situation?
Alternatives to touch are irrelevant if within the expectations of a reasonable person in the circumstances.
(e.g. on a subway)
What language means an assault probably has not occurred?
Any past-tense description of becoming aware of an attempt. The assault perception must be immediate and concurrent.
Does a trespasser to chattles have to subjectively know their use violates anther’s possessor rights?
No, so long as they intended the conduct that interfered with the owners rights.
What is the effect of a claim for trespass to chattles and conversion for the same property?
If the plaintiff prevails, only one may be awarded.
What is necessary for a consent to battery?
(1) Informed, (2) voluntary, and (3) of legal capacity [over 18].
Can a lawful borrower be held liable for conversion of chattles?
No, not unless they intentionally exceed the scope of consent.
If the person exercising dominion had lawful possession, that is per se not conversion because conversion requires unlawful possession.