NYS Legal Terminology and Principles 5

Question 1

What does 'ex parte' mean in legal proceedings?

Accepted Answer

Involving or on behalf of only one party without the other present

Answer

With both parties present

Answer

A decision made by a panel of judges

Answer

Evidence submitted after a trial

Question 2

What is 'perjury'?

Accepted Answer

Lying under oath during a legal proceeding

Answer

Refusing to testify in court

Answer

Tampering with physical evidence

Answer

Failing to appear for jury duty

Question 3

What is the 'chain of custody' in criminal cases?

Accepted Answer

The documented chronological record of who collected, handled, and stored evidence

Answer

The order in which witnesses testify

Answer

The sequence of appeals available to a defendant

Answer

The hierarchy of court officers in a courtroom

Question 4

What does 'sua sponte' mean?

Accepted Answer

On the court's own initiative without a motion by either party

Answer

At the request of the prosecution

Answer

With the consent of both parties

Answer

Under direction of an appellate court

Question 5

What is 'grand larceny' distinguished from 'petit larceny' by?

Accepted Answer

The value of the stolen property

Answer

The type of property stolen

Answer

The location where the theft occurred

Answer

Whether a weapon was used

Question 6

What is an 'injunction'?

Accepted Answer

A court order requiring a party to do or refrain from a specific act

Answer

A criminal sentence requiring community service

Answer

A formal accusation by a prosecutor

Answer

A request to postpone a trial date

Question 7

What does 'probable cause' mean in the context of arrests and searches?

Accepted Answer

A reasonable belief based on articulable facts that a crime has occurred or evidence will be found

Answer

Absolute certainty that a crime was committed

Answer

Suspicion based on a person's appearance alone

Answer

A confession by the suspect