1CIVIL/CRIMINAL
What is one possible outcome of a civil case?
A. Prison
B. Community service
C. Compensation (money) or another legal order
D. A criminal record
C. Compensation (money) or another legal order
1. What is the main purpose of criminal law?
A. To settle disagreements between people
B. To protect society by dealing with crimes
C. To help people buy houses
D. To make school rules
B. To protect society by dealing with crimes
What are the three Principles of Justice?
A. Freedom, honesty and respect
B. Fairness, equality and access
C. Rules, rights and responsibilities
D. Truth, justice and peace
B. Fairness, equality and access
Which statement best describes the dual role of courts in Victoria?
A. Courts only enforce laws made by Parliament.
B. Courts resolve disputes and can develop the law through judicial decisions.
C. Courts create all laws in Victoria.
D. Courts only hear criminal cases.
B. Courts resolve disputes and can develop the law through judicial decisions.
A person is charged with speeding and driving without a licence. Which court is most likely to hear this case first?
A) Supreme Court – Trial Division
B) Magistrates’ Court
C) County Court
D) Supreme Court – Court of Appeal
B) Magistrates’ Court
Emma slips on a wet floor at a shopping centre and sues the centre for her injuries. Is this a civil or criminal case?
A. Civil
B. Criminal
A. Civil
Which of these is an example of a criminal case?
A. A neighbour damages your fence.
B. Someone steals a bicycle.
C. A customer wants a refund.
D. A builder does not finish a job.
B. Someone steals a bicycle.
Which principle of justice means everyone is treated the same under the law?
A. Fairness
B. Equality
C. Access
D. Responsibility
B. Equality
What is meant by the term jurisdiction?
A. The punishment given to an offender.
B. The order in which laws are passed.
C. The authority of a court to hear particular types of cases and make decisions.
D. The authority of Parliament to make laws.
C. The authority of a court to hear particular types of cases and make decisions.
Which court would hear an appeal from a decision made in the County Court regarding a criminal conviction?
A) Magistrates’ Court
B) Supreme Court – Court of Appeal
C) Children's Court
D) Coroners Court
B) Supreme Court – Court of Appeal
What is the main purpose of civil law?
A. To punish criminals
B. To settle disputes between people or organisations
C. To send people to prison
D. To make new laws
B. To settle disputes between people or organisations
5. A person is caught shoplifting from a supermarket. Is this a civil or criminal case?
A. Civil
B. Criminal
B. Criminal
Which example best shows access to justice?
A. A judge listens to both sides before making a decision.
B. Everyone has the same chance to use the courts, even if they need legal help.
C. A person is found guilty without a trial.
D. Only wealthy people can afford a lawyer.
B. Everyone has the same chance to use the courts, even if they need legal help.
Which factor is most likely to determine which Victorian court hears a case?
A. The suburb where the offence occurred.
B. The age of the judge.
C. The opinion of the police officer.
D. The seriousness or type of the case.
D. The seriousness or type of the case.
A group of residents launch a class action against a chemical company for polluting their water supply. Which court would hear this case?
A) Supreme Court – Trial Division
B) County Court
C) Magistrates’ Court
D) Children's Court
A) Supreme Court – Trial Division
B) County Court
*Depending on complexity of the case
Which of these is an example of a civil case?
A. Assault
B. Robbery
C. A disagreement over a contract
D. Burglary
C. A disagreement over a contract
What is one possible outcome of a criminal case?
A. Compensation only
B. A fine or prison sentence
C. A refund for a faulty product
D. A new contract
B. A fine or prison sentence
Explain what fairness means in the justice system.
Fairness means everyone has a chance to tell their side of the story and decisions are made without bias.
How do courts make law in Victoria?
A. By voting on new legislation.
B. By replacing laws they disagree with.
C. By interpreting legislation and creating precedents when deciding cases.
D. By making laws without hearing cases.
C. By interpreting legislation and creating precedents when deciding cases.
Why is the doctrine of precedent important in the Victorian legal system?
A. It promotes consistency and fairness by requiring lower courts to follow decisions of higher courts in similar cases.
B. It allows judges to ignore previous decisions.
C. It ensures every court makes different decisions.
D. It prevents appeals from being heard.
A. It promotes consistency and fairness by requiring lower courts to follow decisions of higher courts in similar cases.
Why do we have both civil law and criminal law?
Criminal law protects society by punishing crimes, while civil law helps solve disputes fairly and may provide compensation.
Explain one difference between civil law and criminal law.
Criminal law deals with crimes against society, while civil law deals with disputes between people or organisations.
Sam is accused of vandalism. He is given time to explain his side of the story, and the judge listens to both Sam and the witnesses before making a decision.
Question: Which Principle of Justice is shown in this scenario? Explain your answer.
Fairness, because both sides were heard before the judge made a decision.
Which court would generally hear an appeal from the Magistrates' Court?
A. High Court of Australia.
B. Children's Court.
C. County Court.
D. Federal Court.
C. County Court.
In Australia, courts are organised into a hierarchy with lower courts, intermediate courts and superior courts.
Which statement best explains the role of these different levels of courts?
A. Lower courts hear less serious cases, intermediate courts hear more serious cases and appeals, and superior courts hear the most serious cases and important appeals.
B. Lower courts make all laws, while higher courts only enforce them.
C. Intermediate courts only deal with civil disputes, while superior courts only deal with criminal cases.
D. All levels of courts have exactly the same powers and responsibilities.
A. Lower courts hear less serious cases, intermediate courts hear more serious cases and appeals, and superior courts hear the most serious cases and important appeals.