PLA 3108 Final Exam Review Questions
& Answers 2024/2025
Common (case) law - ANSWERS1. Either all caselaw or the case law that is made by judges in the
absence of statues.
2. The legal system that originated in england is is composed of case law and statues that grow and
change, influenced by ever-changing custom and tradition.
Statutory law - ANSWERSRules created by a legislative authority. The body of rules the is used by the
courts to interpret these laws is the rules of construction. The purpose of this is to determine the intent
of the legislature.
Tripartite System of Government - ANSWERSThe federal and state governments are each divided into
three branches
-legislative
-executive
-judicial
Tripartite System of Government - Legislative - ANSWERSLawmaking
-Federal government = united states congress
-state government = state legislators
Tripartite System of Government - Executive - ANSWERSThe branch of government that carries out the
laws.
The administrative branch
-federal government = president
-state government = governors
Tripartite System of Government - Judicial - ANSWERS1. having to do with a court
, 2. having to do with a judge
3. describes the branch of government that interprets the law and that resolves legal disputes
-federal government = federal courts
-state governments = state courts
State Court System - ANSWERS(Page 105)
Unified Court Structure
State Courts - Unified Court Structure - ANSWERS(Page 105)
A simplified state court structure with three or four tiers;
the court structure of other states that do not have a unified court structure is more complex
Plantiff - ANSWERS(Page 117)
A person who brings (starts) a lawsuit against another person)
Defendant - ANSWERS(Page 117)
The person against whom a legal action is brought. This legal action may be civil or criminal.
Appellant - ANSWERS(Page 575 - Glossary)
The person who appeals a case to a higher court
Appelle - ANSWERS(Page 576 - Glossary)
The person against who an appeal is taken (usually, but not always, the winner in the lower court).
Compare with appellant.
Constitution - ANSWERS(Page 577 - Glossary)
1. A document that sets out the basic principles and most general laws of a country, state, or
organization.
2. The U.S. Constitution is the basic law of the country on which most other laws are based, and to which
all other laws must yield. Often abbreviated "Const." or "Con."
& Answers 2024/2025
Common (case) law - ANSWERS1. Either all caselaw or the case law that is made by judges in the
absence of statues.
2. The legal system that originated in england is is composed of case law and statues that grow and
change, influenced by ever-changing custom and tradition.
Statutory law - ANSWERSRules created by a legislative authority. The body of rules the is used by the
courts to interpret these laws is the rules of construction. The purpose of this is to determine the intent
of the legislature.
Tripartite System of Government - ANSWERSThe federal and state governments are each divided into
three branches
-legislative
-executive
-judicial
Tripartite System of Government - Legislative - ANSWERSLawmaking
-Federal government = united states congress
-state government = state legislators
Tripartite System of Government - Executive - ANSWERSThe branch of government that carries out the
laws.
The administrative branch
-federal government = president
-state government = governors
Tripartite System of Government - Judicial - ANSWERS1. having to do with a court
, 2. having to do with a judge
3. describes the branch of government that interprets the law and that resolves legal disputes
-federal government = federal courts
-state governments = state courts
State Court System - ANSWERS(Page 105)
Unified Court Structure
State Courts - Unified Court Structure - ANSWERS(Page 105)
A simplified state court structure with three or four tiers;
the court structure of other states that do not have a unified court structure is more complex
Plantiff - ANSWERS(Page 117)
A person who brings (starts) a lawsuit against another person)
Defendant - ANSWERS(Page 117)
The person against whom a legal action is brought. This legal action may be civil or criminal.
Appellant - ANSWERS(Page 575 - Glossary)
The person who appeals a case to a higher court
Appelle - ANSWERS(Page 576 - Glossary)
The person against who an appeal is taken (usually, but not always, the winner in the lower court).
Compare with appellant.
Constitution - ANSWERS(Page 577 - Glossary)
1. A document that sets out the basic principles and most general laws of a country, state, or
organization.
2. The U.S. Constitution is the basic law of the country on which most other laws are based, and to which
all other laws must yield. Often abbreviated "Const." or "Con."
