LAW 231 UNIT 2 EXAM (TERMS) QUESTIONS ANSWERED CORRECTLY LATEST UPDATE 2026
State Courts - Answers Courts that hear cases involving state law; include trial, appellate, and
supreme courts.
Federal Courts - Answers Courts with limited jurisdiction created by Article III; hear federal questions
and diversity cases.
Trial Courts - Answers Courts of original jurisdiction where evidence is presented and facts are
determined.
Appellate Courts - Answers Courts that review trial court decisions for legal error; no new evidence.
Circuit Split - Answers When federal appellate circuits disagree on the same legal issue, often
prompting Supreme Court review.
Caniglia v. Strom - Answers Case limiting the 'community caretaking' exception; police cannot enter
homes without a warrant under that doctrine.
Common Law - Answers Judge-made law developed through written opinions.
Binding Precedent - Answers Prior decisions that lower courts must follow.
Persuasive Authority - Answers Non-binding decisions that may influence a court.
Subject Matter Jurisdiction (SMJ) - Answers Court's authority to hear a specific type of case.
General Jurisdiction - Answers Court can hear almost any type of case.
Limited Jurisdiction - Answers Court can hear only specific types of cases (e.g., probate, bankruptcy).
Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction - Answers Only federal courts may hear (e.g., bankruptcy, patents).
Federal Question Jurisdiction - Answers Case arises under U.S. Constitution, federal statutes, or
treaties.
Diversity Jurisdiction - Answers Parties from different states + amount in controversy > $75,000.
Standing - Answers Plaintiff must show injury-in-fact, causation, and redressability.
Original Jurisdiction - Answers Court where a case begins.
Concurrent Jurisdiction - Answers Case can be heard in either state or federal court.
Forum Selection Clause - Answers Contract term choosing where disputes will be litigated.
In Rem Jurisdiction - Answers Court's power over property located within the state.
Quasi In Rem Jurisdiction - Answers Court uses property to resolve personal claims unrelated to the
property.
Personal Jurisdiction (PJ) - Answers Court's authority over the defendant.
Pennoyer v. Neff - Answers Early case requiring physical presence or property for PJ.
Minimum Contacts - Answers Defendant must have purposeful contacts with the forum state.
Goodyear v. Brown - Answers General jurisdiction requires 'continuous and systematic' contacts.
Calder v. Jones - Answers Effects test: intentional acts aimed at forum causing harm there.
Clemens v. McNamee - Answers Example applying effects test; contacts must be purposeful.
Physical Presence - Answers Being served while physically in the state establishes PJ.
Voluntary Consent - Answers Defendant agrees to jurisdiction.
Venue - Answers Proper geographic location for trial.
Change of Venue - Answers Moving trial for fairness or convenience.
Franklin v. Facebook - Answers Case applying forum-selection clause to online terms.
Zippo Sliding-Scale Test - Answers Internet jurisdiction test based on website interactivity.
Calder Effects Test (Internet) - Answers Online conduct targeting the forum can establish PJ.
Class Action - Answers Lawsuit where one or more plaintiffs represent a large group.
CAFA (Class Action Fairness Act) - Answers Expands federal jurisdiction over large class actions.
In re Subway Sandwich Marketing - Answers Example of class action adequacy and settlement
scrutiny.
Standing (Pre-Suit) - Answers Plaintiff must show personal injury before filing.
Statute of Limitations (SOL) - Answers Deadline to file a lawsuit.
Complaint - Answers Document initiating lawsuit; states claims and facts.
Summons - Answers Notice to defendant of the lawsuit.
Answer - Answers Defendant's first responsive pleading.
Counterclaim - Answers Defendant sues plaintiff.
Cross-Claim - Answers Claim against a co-party.
Motion to Dismiss - Answers Asks court to throw out case for legal insufficiency.
Motion for Summary Judgment - Answers No genuine issue of material fact; judge can rule as matter
of law.
State Courts - Answers Courts that hear cases involving state law; include trial, appellate, and
supreme courts.
Federal Courts - Answers Courts with limited jurisdiction created by Article III; hear federal questions
and diversity cases.
Trial Courts - Answers Courts of original jurisdiction where evidence is presented and facts are
determined.
Appellate Courts - Answers Courts that review trial court decisions for legal error; no new evidence.
Circuit Split - Answers When federal appellate circuits disagree on the same legal issue, often
prompting Supreme Court review.
Caniglia v. Strom - Answers Case limiting the 'community caretaking' exception; police cannot enter
homes without a warrant under that doctrine.
Common Law - Answers Judge-made law developed through written opinions.
Binding Precedent - Answers Prior decisions that lower courts must follow.
Persuasive Authority - Answers Non-binding decisions that may influence a court.
Subject Matter Jurisdiction (SMJ) - Answers Court's authority to hear a specific type of case.
General Jurisdiction - Answers Court can hear almost any type of case.
Limited Jurisdiction - Answers Court can hear only specific types of cases (e.g., probate, bankruptcy).
Exclusive Federal Jurisdiction - Answers Only federal courts may hear (e.g., bankruptcy, patents).
Federal Question Jurisdiction - Answers Case arises under U.S. Constitution, federal statutes, or
treaties.
Diversity Jurisdiction - Answers Parties from different states + amount in controversy > $75,000.
Standing - Answers Plaintiff must show injury-in-fact, causation, and redressability.
Original Jurisdiction - Answers Court where a case begins.
Concurrent Jurisdiction - Answers Case can be heard in either state or federal court.
Forum Selection Clause - Answers Contract term choosing where disputes will be litigated.
In Rem Jurisdiction - Answers Court's power over property located within the state.
Quasi In Rem Jurisdiction - Answers Court uses property to resolve personal claims unrelated to the
property.
Personal Jurisdiction (PJ) - Answers Court's authority over the defendant.
Pennoyer v. Neff - Answers Early case requiring physical presence or property for PJ.
Minimum Contacts - Answers Defendant must have purposeful contacts with the forum state.
Goodyear v. Brown - Answers General jurisdiction requires 'continuous and systematic' contacts.
Calder v. Jones - Answers Effects test: intentional acts aimed at forum causing harm there.
Clemens v. McNamee - Answers Example applying effects test; contacts must be purposeful.
Physical Presence - Answers Being served while physically in the state establishes PJ.
Voluntary Consent - Answers Defendant agrees to jurisdiction.
Venue - Answers Proper geographic location for trial.
Change of Venue - Answers Moving trial for fairness or convenience.
Franklin v. Facebook - Answers Case applying forum-selection clause to online terms.
Zippo Sliding-Scale Test - Answers Internet jurisdiction test based on website interactivity.
Calder Effects Test (Internet) - Answers Online conduct targeting the forum can establish PJ.
Class Action - Answers Lawsuit where one or more plaintiffs represent a large group.
CAFA (Class Action Fairness Act) - Answers Expands federal jurisdiction over large class actions.
In re Subway Sandwich Marketing - Answers Example of class action adequacy and settlement
scrutiny.
Standing (Pre-Suit) - Answers Plaintiff must show personal injury before filing.
Statute of Limitations (SOL) - Answers Deadline to file a lawsuit.
Complaint - Answers Document initiating lawsuit; states claims and facts.
Summons - Answers Notice to defendant of the lawsuit.
Answer - Answers Defendant's first responsive pleading.
Counterclaim - Answers Defendant sues plaintiff.
Cross-Claim - Answers Claim against a co-party.
Motion to Dismiss - Answers Asks court to throw out case for legal insufficiency.
Motion for Summary Judgment - Answers No genuine issue of material fact; judge can rule as matter
of law.
