Civics and Government Quiz: Understanding Legal and Judicial Terms

1. What is the role of a grand jury?

They decide whether to indict (formally accuse) defendant of committing a crime

They have the final decision on a defendant's guilt or innocence.

They determine the sentence for a convicted individual.

They serve as defense attorneys for the accused.

Grand juries do not determine the sentence, serve as defense attorneys, or have the final decision on guilt or innocence; their primary function is to decide whether to indict a defendant.

Explanation

Grand juries do not determine the sentence, serve as defense attorneys, or have the final decision on guilt or innocence; their primary function is to decide whether to indict a defendant.

2. What is the role of a Petit Jury?

Group of people that file charges against a defendant.

Group of people that decide if a defendant is guilty or innocent.

Group of people that issue warrants for arrests.

Group of people that handle appeals in court cases.

A Petit Jury is specifically responsible for determining the guilt or innocence of a defendant in a trial, not for initiating charges, handling appeals, or issuing warrants.

Explanation

A Petit Jury is specifically responsible for determining the guilt or innocence of a defendant in a trial, not for initiating charges, handling appeals, or issuing warrants.

3. What is a plaintiff?

This person is suing the defendant in hopes of receiving damages from the defendant.

The person being accused of a crime in a court case.

The attorney representing the defendant in a court case.

The judge presiding over the court case.

A plaintiff is the person who brings a case against another in a court of law, typically seeking compensation or some form of relief.

Explanation

A plaintiff is the person who brings a case against another in a court of law, typically seeking compensation or some form of relief.

4. What is a tort?

Property rights violation

Contract dispute

Type of civil law involving a person committing a wrongful action.

Criminal offense

A tort is a civil wrong that causes harm or loss to someone, where the person committing the tort may be held liable for damages.

Explanation

A tort is a civil wrong that causes harm or loss to someone, where the person committing the tort may be held liable for damages.

5. What does contract law entail?

Type of administrative law involving government regulations.

Type of civil law involving the breaking of a written agreement.

Type of criminal law involving theft and violence.

Type of constitutional law involving individual rights and freedoms.

Contract law deals specifically with agreements between parties, focusing on the enforcement and breach of those agreements.

Explanation

Contract law deals specifically with agreements between parties, focusing on the enforcement and breach of those agreements.

6. What does Gideon v. Wainwright guarantee individuals who are charged with a crime?

Free bail for all individuals charged with a crime.

Automatic acquittal for anyone charged with a crime.

This court case guarantees that the government provides you a lawyer if you are charged with a crime.

Access to unlimited appeals for individuals charged with a crime.

Gideon v. Wainwright is a landmark Supreme Court case that established the right to counsel for criminal defendants who cannot afford to pay for their own attorneys. It does not guarantee free bail, automatic acquittal, or unlimited appeals.

Explanation

Gideon v. Wainwright is a landmark Supreme Court case that established the right to counsel for criminal defendants who cannot afford to pay for their own attorneys. It does not guarantee free bail, automatic acquittal, or unlimited appeals.

7. What landmark court case established the requirement for police to read an individual their due process rights before any police questioning?

Gideon v. Wainwright

Brown v. Board of Education

Roe v. Wade

This court case states that the government must read you your due process rights before any police questioning.

Miranda v. Arizona is a crucial court case that established the necessity for law enforcement to inform individuals of their due process rights before any police questioning. The other options provided do not pertain to this specific legal requirement.

Explanation

Miranda v. Arizona is a crucial court case that established the necessity for law enforcement to inform individuals of their due process rights before any police questioning. The other options provided do not pertain to this specific legal requirement.

8. What was the outcome of the Supreme Court case McCullough v. Maryland?

This Supreme Court case stated that the federal government is supreme over the states when conflict arises.

The case established that states have the authority to nullify federal laws they deem unconstitutional.

The case upheld the constitutionality of state-imposed taxes on federal institutions.

The case declared states' rights to be superior to federal mandates.

McCullough v. Maryland was a landmark Supreme Court case that established the supremacy of the federal government over the states in cases of conflict. The case reinforced the principle that federal law takes precedence over state law.

Explanation

McCullough v. Maryland was a landmark Supreme Court case that established the supremacy of the federal government over the states in cases of conflict. The case reinforced the principle that federal law takes precedence over state law.

9. What landmark Supreme Court case established the principle of judicial review?

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruled that corporations can spend unlimited amounts in elections.

This Supreme Court case stated that courts have the power to use judicial review.

Brown v. Board of Education declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Roe v. Wade legalized abortion nationwide based on a woman's right to privacy.

Marbury v. Madison is a significant case in the history of the United States judicial system as it established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of laws and actions by the government.

Explanation

Marbury v. Madison is a significant case in the history of the United States judicial system as it established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of laws and actions by the government.

10. What was the significance of Plessy v. Ferguson?

This Supreme Court case granted voting rights to African Americans.

This Supreme Court case declared segregation unconstitutional.

This Supreme Court case stated that segregation is legal.

This Supreme Court case addressed labor union rights.

Plessy v. Ferguson established the 'separate but equal' doctrine, leading to legal segregation in the United States. This decision was later overturned by Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.

Explanation

Plessy v. Ferguson established the 'separate but equal' doctrine, leading to legal segregation in the United States. This decision was later overturned by Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.

11. What is a defendant?

A person who accuses someone of a crime.

A witness in a court case.

A person either accused of a crime (criminal law)orA person accused of doing something wrong (civil law)

The plaintiff in a lawsuit.

A defendant is the individual who is being accused of a crime or wrongdoing in either criminal or civil law proceedings. This person is not the accuser but rather the one who must defend themselves against the allegations.

Explanation

A defendant is the individual who is being accused of a crime or wrongdoing in either criminal or civil law proceedings. This person is not the accuser but rather the one who must defend themselves against the allegations.