Law School Basics
This is the test that everyone must take before applying to law school.
What is the LSAT
Diana Ross never joined in this adjudicative body but shared in part of the name
What is the Supreme Court
his is the first three words of the Constitution, showing that the power comes from us folks
What is "We the People"
This amendment gives you the right to say what you think, even if it’s unpopular — just don’t yell “fire!” in a crowded theater.
What is the First Amendment?
This right protects you from being tried twice for the same crime. It is different than being a two time competitor of this show!
What is Double Jeopardy
IRAC (a method of legal writing) stands for?
Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion
What is a previous court decision that guides future cases?
Precedent
This group of the first ten amendments is like the Constitution’s VIP list for protecting your rights.
What is the Bill of Rights
This amendment protects you from being forced to let soldiers live in your house — a bigger deal in 1776 than it is today.
What is the Third Amendment?
This fast-food chain was famously sued over hot coffee in a case that became a symbol of frivolous lawsuits — even though the injuries were very real.
What is McDonald's?
Name one factor law schools consider besides GPA
Personal Statement, Work Experience, LSAT Score
This type of court hears cases for the first time and decides guilt, innocence, or liability
What is a trial or district court
This branch of government is described in Article II and is responsible for making sure laws are carried out.
What is the Executive Branch
This amendment ended slavery in the United States — big news in 1865.
What is the Thirteenth Amendment?
In To Kill a Mockingbird, this fictional lawyer defends an innocent man in a deeply unjust trial.
Atticus Finch
This method of questioning to develop critical thinking for law students and survived hemlock poison, unlike its namesake founder.
What is the Socratic Method
The party who brings a lawsuit in a civil case is known by this term.
What is a Plaintiff
This amendment lets you remain silent so you don’t accidentally say something that could land you in hot water.
What is the 5th Amendment
This amendment guarantees equal protection under the law — it’s been at the center of many civil rights cases.
What is the Fourteenth Amendment?
In this state, dressing like a nun for Halloween can land you in trouble, technically.
What is Alabama?
This 1969 Supreme Court case ruled that students do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.”
What is Tinker v. Des Moines
This is the standard of proof required in a criminal trial for a defendant to be found guilty.
What is beyond a reasonable doubt
The 4th Amendment protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government — so no surprise searches without a warrant or a good reason. It also applies to state actors thanks to this Amendment.
What is the 14th Amendment Due Process Clause
This amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, mostly thanks to the Vietnam War era.
What is the Twenty-Sixth Amendment?
This term means “let the decision stand” in Latin — fancy words for “we already decided this.”
Stare Decisis