Law Basics
Which group creates the laws citizens must follow?
Answer: Government
What would likely happen in a society with no legal system?
Answer: Disorder and confusion
In democratic law-making, whose interests should be represented?
Answer: The majority while respecting minority rights
Which area of law deals with illegal acts and their consequences?
Answer: Criminal law
In a criminal case, what is the accused person called?
Answer: Defendant
Every law is a type of this, but not every one of these is a law.
Answer: Rule
A society lacking laws would probably face what?
Answer: Lawlessness and disorder
An essential principle of our legal system is protecting the rights of whom?
Answer: Minority populations
How are criminal violations categorized?
Answer: Felonies and misdemeanors
What is the proper sequence of courts from lowest to highest?
Answer: Trial Court → Court of Appeals → Supreme Court
What is the correct relationship between laws and rules?
Answer: Every law is a type of rule, but not every rule is a law
In a democracy, how should laws be created?
Answer: Through a systematic legal framework
What type of rights does every person have simply by being born?
Answer: Human rights
What distinguishes a felony from other crimes?
Answer: It carries a potential sentence exceeding one year
The American legal process is best described as what type of system?
Answer: Adversarial system
Laws are a subset of ____ with government _____.
Rules
Government
Which is NOT a purpose of our legal system: safeguarding freedoms, ensuring equality, generating disputes, or maintaining order?
Answer: Generating disputes
Which international document sets out fundamental human rights?
Answer: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
What is the typical maximum sentence for a misdemeanor?
Answer: One year or less
Which court has the final authority to interpret constitutional issues?
Answer: Supreme Court
Legal systems usually mirror and support a society’s what?
Answer: Core beliefs and principles
What important function does the legal system serve besides maintaining order?
Answer: Settling disputes peacefully
What is it called when people fail to help others in distress?
Answer: The bystander effect
Which legal area governs disputes between private parties?
Answer: Civil law
What is the highest judicial body in the United States?
Answer: U.S. Supreme Court