Criminal Law Quiz

What is the purpose of criminal laws?

• Resolve disputes between individuals

• Regulate behavior and punish offenders

• Create rules for government operations

• Protect contracts between businesses

Civil laws deal with:

• Punishment for crimes

• Disputes between individuals or organizations

• Federal government powers

• Constitutional rights

Which standard of proof is used in criminal cases?

• Beyond a reasonable doubt

• Preponderance of the evidence

• Clear and convincing evidence

• Balance of probabilities

What standard of proof applies in most civil cases?

• Absolute certainty

• Beyond a reasonable doubt

• Preponderance of the evidence

• Beyond all doubt

Which branch of government interprets laws?

• Legislative

• Executive

• Judicial

• State

Federalism means:

• Power is divided between national and state governments

• States have no power to make laws

• Only the federal government enforces laws

• Local governments have supreme power

The Supremacy Clause establishes that:

• State laws take precedence over federal laws

• Federal laws are the supreme law of the land

• Judicial review is unnecessary

• The executive branch can override laws

Checks and balances ensure:

• A fair trial for defendants

• No branch of government becomes too powerful

• States can veto federal laws

• Citizens can’t lobby

Judicial review allows courts to:

• Overrule state laws

• Declare laws unconstitutional

• Create new laws based on precedent

• Resolve disputes between individuals

In a trial, the plaintiff is:

• The person accused of wrongdoing

• The person bringing the lawsuit

• The government’s representative

• The neutral party