Criminal Law Basics Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of crime?

  • A minor wrongdoing
  • A legal contract
  • Punishable offense against society (correct)
  • An agreement to commit a crime

What does vicarious criminal liability entail?

  • Criminal liability is avoided by an employee
  • Criminal intent of one person substitutes the requirement of intent for another (correct)
  • Only corporate officers can be liable
  • Intent must be proven in every case

What is a felony?

A crime punishable by confinement for more than a year in a state prison, by a fine of more than $1,000, or both - or even death.

What is a misdemeanor?

<p>A less serious crime punishable by confinement in a country or city jail for less than one year, by fine, or both.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an infraction?

<p>A lesser misdemeanor punishable by fine only.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines a white-collar crime?

<p>A crime typically committed in the workplace that does not involve violence or force nor does it cause physical injury to people or physical damage to property.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are anti-trust laws?

<p>Laws that prohibit competing companies from price fixing or dividing up sales regions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is larceny?

<p>Wrongful taking of money or personal property belonging to someone else with the intent to deprive the owner of possession.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is embezzlement?

<p>Taking of another's property or money by a person to whom it has been entrusted.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is robbery?

<p>Taking of property from another's person or immediate presence, against the victim's will, by force or causing fear.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is burglary?

<p>Entering a building without permission when intending to commit a crime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a fence in legal terms?

<p>One who receives stolen property.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are false pretenses?

<p>Obtaining property by lying about a past or existing fact.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is forgery?

<p>Falsely making or materially altering a writing to defraud another.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does bribery involve?

<p>Offering or giving anything of value to influence performance of an official in carrying out his or her public or legal duties.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is extortion?

<p>Obtaining money or other property by wrongful use of force, fear, or the power of office, also known as blackmail.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is conspiracy?

<p>Agreement between two or more persons to commit a crime; it is a separate crime from the crime the parties planned to commit.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is arson?

<p>Willful and illegal burning or exploding of a building.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is probable cause?

<p>Reasonable ground for belief; requirement for legal or reasonable searches and seizures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a defense in legal terms?

<p>A legal position taken by an accused to defeat the charges against him or her.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are procedural defenses?

<p>Defenses based on problems with the way the evidence is obtained or the way the accused person is arrested, questioned, tried, or punished.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are substantive defenses?

<p>Defenses that disprove, justify, or otherwise excuse the alleged crime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is immunity?

<p>Freedom from prosecution even when one has committed the crime charged.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does contempt of court mean?

<p>Action that hinders the administration of justice in court.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is punishment according to legal definitions?

<p>Penalty provided by law and imposed by a court; purpose is to discipline the wrongdoer not to remedy the wrong.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is plea bargaining?

<p>Accused person agrees to plead guilty to a less serious crime in exchange for having a more serious charge dropped.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an indictment?

<p>A written accusation declaring that there is sufficient evidence to try the identified individual for a specified crime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a grand jury?

<p>Group of citizens selected to hear, in secret, the evidence of alleged crimes submitted by the prosecutor.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an arrest warrant?

<p>Written court order for the apprehension of an accused.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is arraignment?

<p>Court proceeding at which the formal charges in the information or indictment are read, defendant pleads guilty or not guilty, and judge may set bail.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a preliminary hearing?

<p>Court proceeding at which evidence against defendant will be presented to the court so it may determine whether there is sufficient cause to hold him or her for trial.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is bail?

<p>A sum of money or property deposited or pledged to guarantee that the arrested person will appear for a preliminary hearing or trial.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a subpoena?

<p>A command to an individual to appear and testify or produce documents or other evidence in his or her possession.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are motions in legal context?

<p>Pleas to the court to order some action or rule on some matter pertinent to the case concerning disclosure, admissibility, or suppression of evidence and other matters.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is voir dire?

<p>Preliminary exam of potential jurors to determine their ability to judge able and impartially the matter to be placed before them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does challenge for good cause mean?

<p>Juror dismissed due to ties to defendant or prosecution that might be prejudicial.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a preemptory challenge?

<p>Juror automatically dismissed without having to state any cause.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is direct examination?

<p>Conducted by the side calling a witness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is cross-examination?

<p>The opposing side questioning a witness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a verdict?

<p>Decision of the jury; must be unanimous in criminal trials.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is a crime?

An offense against society that is punishable by law.

What is a felony?

A serious crime, typically punishable by over a year in prison, significant fines, or even death.

What is a misdemeanor?

A less serious offense, typically punished by less than a year in jail or fines.

What is an infraction?

A minor violation of the law, usually punishable by a fine alone.

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What is white-collar crime?

A non-violent crime committed in business settings, often involving deceit and dishonesty.

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What is larceny?

The wrongful taking of someone else's property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it.

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What is embezzlement?

The misappropriation of property by someone who was entrusted with it.

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What is robbery?

The taking of property through force or the threat of force.

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What is burglary?

Unlawfully entering a building with the intent to commit a crime.

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What is a fence?

A person who receives stolen property, often with the intention of selling it.

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What are false pretenses?

Acquiring property by intentionally deceiving someone about a fact.

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What is forgery?

Altering documents to defraud someone.

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What is bribery?

Offering something of value to influence someone in a position of authority.

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What is extortion?

Obtaining property through threats or the misuse of power.

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What is conspiracy?

An agreement between two or more people to commit a crime, which is itself a crime.

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What is arson?

The intentional burning or explosion of a structure, often for malicious reasons.

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What is probable cause?

Reasonable grounds to believe that a crime has been committed or that evidence of a crime will be found in a particular place.

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What is a defense in a criminal case?

Legal arguments used by a defendant to counter the charges against them, justifying or negating the crime.

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What are procedural defenses?

Issues with the legal procedures or process that may invalidate a case against a defendant.

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What are substantive defenses?

Arguments that directly challenge the prosecution's case, proving the defendant innocent or justifying their actions.

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What is immunity?

Protection from prosecution, even if a person committed the crime.

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What is contempt of court?

Actions that obstruct justice or disrespect the authority of the court, like refusing to follow orders.

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What is punishment?

Legal penalties imposed on offenders, aiming to discipline and deter future crimes.

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What is plea bargaining?

An agreement between the accused and the prosecution where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser crime in exchange for a reduced charge or sentence.

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What is an indictment?

A formal accusation by a grand jury, stating that there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial.

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What is a grand jury?

A secret group of citizens who review evidence of potential crimes.

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What is an arrest warrant?

A court order authorizing the lawful arrest of a suspect.

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What is arraignment?

The first court appearance of a defendant after being arrested, where charges are read and a plea is entered.

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What is a preliminary hearing?

A hearing that examines evidence to determine if there is enough to proceed to trial.

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What is bail?

Financial security provided by the defendant to ensure their appearance in court.

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What is a subpoena?

A legal document requiring someone to appear in court or provide evidence.

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What are motions in a trial?

Requests made by attorneys to the judge during a trial, seeking specific actions related to the case.

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What is voir dire?

The process of selecting impartial jurors for a trial.

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What are challenges in jury selection?

Dismissing potential jurors for reasons related to the case (for good cause) or without explanation (preemptory challenge).

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What is direct examination?

The questioning of a witness by the party who called them to the stand.

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What is cross-examination?

The questioning of a witness by the opposing party, aiming to challenge their testimony.

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What is a verdict?

The jury's decision on a case, which must be unanimous in criminal trials.

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Study Notes

Criminal Law Basics

  • Crime: A punishable offense against society.
  • Vicarious Criminal Liability: Substitutes the criminal intent of an employee for that of a corporate officer in legal cases.

Types of Crimes

  • Felony: Serious crime punishable by over one year in prison or significant fines, and can include death.
  • Misdemeanor: Less serious crime, punishable by less than a year in jail or fines.
  • Infraction: Minor violation punishable by a fine only.
  • White-Collar Crime: Non-violent crime committed in business settings, usually involving deceit.

Property Crimes

  • Larceny: Theft involving wrongful taking of someone else's property.
  • Embezzlement: Misappropriation of property by someone entrusted with it.
  • Robbery: Taking property through force or intimidation.
  • Burglary: Entering a building unlawfully to commit a crime.
  • Fence: A person who receives stolen property.

Fraud and Corruption

  • False Pretenses: Acquiring property through deceit about a fact.
  • Forgery: Altering documents to defraud.
  • Bribery: Offering value to influence an official's actions.
  • Extortion: Obtaining property through threats or misuse of authority.

Legal Processes & Rights

  • Conspiracy: Agreement to commit a crime, considered a distinct offense.
  • Arson: Intentionally burning or exploding a structure.
  • Probable Cause: Justification required for legal searches and seizures.
  • Defense: Legal rationale used by an accused to counter charges.

Types of Defenses

  • Procedural Defenses: Issues in the legal process that could invalidate the case against a defendant.
  • Substantive Defenses: Arguments disproving or justifying the crime alleged.

Legal Immunity & Disruptions

  • Immunity: Protection from prosecution despite having committed the crime.
  • Contempt of Court: Acts that obstruct justice in legal proceedings.

Punishments & Plea Deals

  • Punishment: Legal penalty aimed at disciplining offenders rather than remedying the crime.
  • Plea Bargaining: Agreement where the accused pleads to a lesser crime for reduced charges.
  • Indictment: Formal accusation based on sufficient evidence for trial.
  • Grand Jury: A group reviewing evidence for potential crimes in secrecy.
  • Arrest Warrant: Court order for the apprehension of a suspect.
  • Arraignment: Court proceeding where charges are read and a plea is entered.

Pre-Trial Proceedings

  • Preliminary Hearing: Examines evidence to determine if there's enough for trial.
  • Bail: Financial security to ensure appearance in court.
  • Subpoena: Order for someone to provide testimony or evidence.

Trial Process

  • Motions: Requests made to the court for actions impacting the case.
  • Voir Dire: Vetting process of jurors for impartiality.
  • Challenges:
    • For Good Cause: Dismissal of jurors related to parties involved.
    • Preemptory Challenge: Dismissal without cause.
  • Direct Examination: Questioning by the party that called the witness.
  • Cross Examination: Questioning by the opposing party.
  • Verdict: Jury's decision, which must be unanimous in criminal trials.

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