LS 101 Final Exam Review

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key legal concepts, cases, and definitions related to LS 101 curriculum.

Misdemeanor

Crimes punishable by a fine/imprisonment of less than one year.

Felony

Crimes punishable by a fine/imprisonment of more than one year, usually in prison.

Mens rea

Guilty intent.

Actus reus

Guilty act.

Homicide

The act of killing another person, which can be categorized into first degree murder, second degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, and assisting suicide.

Battery

An intentional act that creates harmful or offensive physical contact.

Assault

An intentional act that creates reasonable apprehension of a battery.

Larceny

Taking property without the owner's consent.

Robbery

Theft that involves injury or violence.

Burglary

Breaking and entering a building for the purpose of committing another crime.

Kidnapping

Intentionally restraining another person.

Alibi

A defense claiming that a defendant was elsewhere when a crime was committed.

Self-defense

A legal defense where a defendant claims they acted to protect themselves from harm.

Insanity

A defense that argues a defendant was not sane at the time of committing a crime.

Probable cause

The reasonable belief that a crime has been committed, necessary for a valid search.

Miranda warnings

Rights that must be read to a suspect upon arrest, informing them of their rights to remain silent and to have legal counsel.

Search warrants

A legal document signed by a judge that authorizes law enforcement to search a specific location or person.

Stop and frisk

A brief detention and pat-down for weapons based on reasonable suspicion of a crime.

Grand jury

A group that decides whether charges should be brought against a defendant.

Sentencing guidelines

Rules and recommendations that judges use to determine appropriate sentences for convicted defendants.

BFOQ (Bona Fide Occupational Qualification)

A legal exception allowing employers to make hiring decisions based on specific characteristics.

Affirmative action

Policies designed to remedy past discrimination in employment.

FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act)

A law allowing leave for serious health conditions or family needs.

Fault divorce

A divorce that requires one spouse to prove that the other has engaged in wrongdoing.

No-fault divorce

A divorce that does not require proof of wrongdoing, focusing on irreconcilable differences.

Sole custody

Where one parent has both physical and legal custody of a child.

Joint custody

Where both parents share custody of a child.

Commonwealth v. Carter

A case where Michelle Carter was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for encouraging suicide.

Mitchell v. Wisconsin

A case ruling on the legality of warrantless blood draws from unconscious drivers.

Johnson v. Transportation Agency of Santa Clara County

A case ruling that favored affirmative action in hiring decisions.

Obergefell v. Hodges

A landmark case that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

People v. Wolff

A case where the defendant claimed insanity in a murder charge but was found legally sane.