Question 1

The term case law does not encompass a broader range of law than the term common law.

Accepted Answer

The term common law refers to the body of law derived from judicial decisions, whereas the term case law specifically refers to the recorded decisions of individual cases. Therefore, common law encompasses a broader range of law than case law.

Question 2

Administrative law is usually more specific than statutory law.

Accepted Answer

Administrative law deals with the regulations and rules created by government agencies in order to implement statutory law. As such, administrative law is often more detailed and specific than the abstract principles set forth in statutes.

Question 3

Personal jurisdiction is the extent of a court's authority to hear and resolve specific disputes.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 4

Legal dictionaries include definitions of legal terms and commentaries on the definitions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Legal dictionaries include definitions of legal terms...

Question 5

For a court opinion to be mandatory authority,it must be on point and it must be written by a higher court in the jurisdiction.

Accepted Answer

To be mandatory authority, a court opinion must be on point (meaning it addresses the same legal issue as the current case) and written by a higher court in the same jurisdiction.

Question 6

There is no uniform method for citations.

Accepted Answer

The answer of There is no uniform method for citations....

Question 7

Law reviews are usually published by law schools.

Accepted Answer

Law reviews are academic journals that are typically published by law schools or law students.

Question 8

Not all primary authority is mandatory authority.

Accepted Answer

Primary authority includes sources such as statutes, regulations, and case law. While some primary authority may be mandatory (meaning it must be followed), not all of it is mandatory. For example, a court decision from a different jurisdiction may not be binding on the court in a particular case, but it can still be persuasive authority.

Question 9

Mandatory authority is a nonlaw source that a court may rely on when reaching a decision.

Accepted Answer

Mandatory authority refers to sources of law, such as statutes or higher court decisions, that a court must follow when making its decision.

Question 10

The United States Supreme Court may declare laws enacted by state legislatures unconstitutional.

Accepted Answer

This power is granted to the Supreme Court under the principle of judicial review established in Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Question 11

A constitution is not an example of enacted law.

Accepted Answer

A constitution is an example of enacted law as it is a formal legal document that has been officially established and adopted by a governing body.

Question 12

Secondary authority cannot be mandatory authority.

Accepted Answer

Secondary authority consists of sources such as law review articles, treatises, and other commentaries that interpret and analyze primary authority, but they are not binding on the court and cannot be considered mandatory authority.

Question 13

Decisions of the highest court in a state are examples of common law.

Accepted Answer

Yes, decisions of the highest court in a state establish precedent and are considered part of the common law in that state.

Question 14

The Restatements of Law is restricted to discussion of a single legal topic.

Accepted Answer

The Restatements of Law covers a variety of legal topics and provides guidance and analysis on those topics. It is not limited to a single legal topic.

Question 15

If times have changed and there is good reason not to follow a prior decision of a higher court,then a lower court may choose not to follow the precedent of a higher court in the same jurisdiction.

Accepted Answer

Lower courts are bound by the decisions of higher courts in the same jurisdiction, regardless of changing times or opinions; they cannot choose not to follow precedent.

Question 16

The United States District Courts are the main trial courts in the federal system.

Accepted Answer

The United States District Courts are indeed the main trial courts in the federal system.

Question 17

A court of appeals may review new evidence when considering a matter on appeal.

Accepted Answer

A court of appeals is typically limited to reviewing the evidence and proceedings that took place in the trial court. They generally do not consider new evidence that was not presented at trial. However, there may be certain limited circumstances where new evidence can be considered, such as if it was not available at the time of the trial despite due diligence.

Question 18

The American Law Reports (ALR)is a series of books that contain the text of selected court opinions,along with scholarly commentaries on the opinions.

Accepted Answer

The American Law Reports (ALR) is indeed a series of books that contain the text of selected court opinions along with scholarly commentaries on the opinions.

Question 19

Because of the doctrines of stare decisis and precedent,courts can be relied on to reach the same decision on an issue as earlier courts did when the cases are sufficiently similar.

Accepted Answer

Stare decisis and precedent require courts to follow earlier decisions on similar issues, resulting in consistency and predictability in the law.

Question 20

The doctrine of stare decisis requires lower courts to follow the decision of a higher court in a jurisdiction in cases involving similar issues and facts.

Accepted Answer

Stare decisis, which means "to stand by things decided," is a fundamental doctrine in common law legal systems, including the United States. It provides predictability, consistency, and stability in the law by requiring lower courts to follow the precedents set by higher courts in their jurisdiction.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Legal Principles and Authorities