UNL BLAW 371 Russell exam 1 (ch 1-3) UPDATED ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
Constitution Fundamental law of the land, establishes the limits and power of government,
establishes legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
Statutes Law passed by legislative, superior to common law but subordinate to the
constitution; state laws, federal laws, municipal laws.
Ordinances Municipal laws are regulations enacted by local governments.
Stare Decisis "To stand by things decided" courts should follow precedent, legal principles
from past cases.
Common Law Body of law that has developed from court decisions.
Civil law Wrongdoer pays money but no jail time, requirement for guilt: "preponderance of
the evidence."
Criminal law Guilty can be fined, imprisoned, or both, creates a felony or misdemeanor,
requirement for guilt: "beyond a reasonable doubt."
Public law Legal relationships between members of society and the government; imposes
legal constraints, bring about social change.
Private law Legal relationships among members of society; resolves disputes, primarily
common law.
Procedural law How legal matters are processed through the court or other systems and how it is
to be enforced ("the nuts and bolts").
Substantive law Defines legal rights and regulates behavior.
Ethics The rules or standards governing conduct of members of a profession.
Purposes of law Influencing the behavior of members of the society, resolving disputes,
maintaining important social values, providing a method for assisting social
change.
Separation of Powers Separate branches of government, legislative, executive, and judicial.
ANSWERS
Constitution Fundamental law of the land, establishes the limits and power of government,
establishes legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
Statutes Law passed by legislative, superior to common law but subordinate to the
constitution; state laws, federal laws, municipal laws.
Ordinances Municipal laws are regulations enacted by local governments.
Stare Decisis "To stand by things decided" courts should follow precedent, legal principles
from past cases.
Common Law Body of law that has developed from court decisions.
Civil law Wrongdoer pays money but no jail time, requirement for guilt: "preponderance of
the evidence."
Criminal law Guilty can be fined, imprisoned, or both, creates a felony or misdemeanor,
requirement for guilt: "beyond a reasonable doubt."
Public law Legal relationships between members of society and the government; imposes
legal constraints, bring about social change.
Private law Legal relationships among members of society; resolves disputes, primarily
common law.
Procedural law How legal matters are processed through the court or other systems and how it is
to be enforced ("the nuts and bolts").
Substantive law Defines legal rights and regulates behavior.
Ethics The rules or standards governing conduct of members of a profession.
Purposes of law Influencing the behavior of members of the society, resolving disputes,
maintaining important social values, providing a method for assisting social
change.
Separation of Powers Separate branches of government, legislative, executive, and judicial.
