LAW 3220 UNIT 1 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE 2026

LAW 3220 UNIT 1 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE 2026 Define Jurisprudence - Answers The science and philosophy of law that defines various approaches to the appropriate function of law and how legal doctrines should be developed and applied; most center on how legal rights are recognized Identify and apply important equitable maxims. - Answers Maxim = common law rules that guide courts in deciding cases and controversies before them 1. Equity aids the vigilant 2. Substance over form 3. Clean hands . doctrine Equity aids the vigilant - Answers The law favors those who exercise vigilance in pursuing their claims and disfavors those who rest on their legal rights by failing to act to protect their rights in a reasonable period of time; ex: Stat of limitations imposes deadline to file a claim substance over form - Answers courts look to the intent of parties involved and adhere to a standard of good faith and fair play instead of applying the letter of the law in a way that would violate fundamental principles of fairness and consistency; ex. agreement says limited partner, but acts like a general partner - will be treated as general clean hands doctrine - Answers Courts are guided in their decisions not only by the letter of the law but also on the basis that one seeking the aid of a court must come to the court with clean hands that are unstained by bad faith, misrepresentations, or deceit; ex. Man transfers stock to brother to avoid paying a legal judgement against him, he fights with brother, eventually suing and trying to get funds returned - barred from recovering stock because the original transfer was fraudulent Define "statute of limitation" - Answers a statute prescribing a period of limitation for the bringing of certain kinds of legal action. Recognize, explain, and give examples of sources of American law. - Answers Much is derived from English legal doctrines; West & SW has Spanish influences; Louisiana has French Ciivil Law roots. Modern Law = combo of Constitutional (permanence & preemptioin) , Statutory, Common, & Administrative (PRIMARY sources) Classify the law into several broad categories, give examples - Answers Criminal vs Civil: civil = compensate parties for losses (damages), while criminal = protect society & violation means fines/prison (paid to gov) Substantive vs Procedural: sub = rights and create duties, while proc = structure & rules for pursuing sub Understand the legal doctrine of stare decisis and precedent - Answers the principle that similar cases with similar facts under similar circumstances should have similar outcomes applying the law made in previous appellate court opinions to current cases with similar facts; binding on trial courts; prec in one state not binding on another Know the difference between remedies at law and equity and give examples - Answers Remedies at Law = money damages vs equitable relief = injunction (stop) or restraining order, or specific performance (you must do this) What is the difference between a statute and an ordinance - Answers statute = state or federal level passed by legislation, ordinance = local level passed by municipality Describe the Supremacy clause - Answers the statement in Article VI of the Constitution that federal law is superior to laws passed by state legislatures; Constitution is the supreme law of the land List the major protections in the Constitution's Bill of Rights and explain how they apply. - Answers the first ten amendments to the Constitution that preserve the rights of the people from unlawful acts of government officials, establish and protect freedom of speech, religion, assembly, petition and press; also protects from unreasonable searches and seizures; recognizes fundamental constitutional rights of the people Identify limits imposed on government overreaching by virtue of the Due Process Clause and Equal Protection Clause. - Answers DP = 5th & 14th; protects individuals from being deprived of "life, liberty, or property" without process of law; two aspects: 1. procedural requirements when fed and state govs impair life, liberty, or property (gov must give appropriate notice, a neutral hearing, and an opportunity to present evidence before any government action is taken and 2. limits substantive power of states to regulate certain areas related to individual liberty - requires laws are published for inspection and specific enough that a reasonable person would understand how it applies (too vague/ broad = unconstitutional) EP = part of 14th Amendment; prohibits state governments from denying their citizens equal protection of the laws; treat similarly situated people equally Recognize the three standards of constitutional review and their application. Know some examples. - Answers 1. rational basis 2. intermediate scrutiny 3. strict scrutiny Recognize the role of judicial review in interpreting the Constitution. - Answers power of judiciary to declare legislative or executive act unconstitutional (Marbury v Madison 1803) Describe Constitutional restrictions on state regulation of commerce in the business environment. - Answers restricts states from discriminating against unduly burdening interstate commerce; state can regulate commerce as long as it does not 1. impose a discriminatory law (tax) on out-of-state businesses and 2. state law is a legitimate effort to regulate health, safety, and welfare Explain Congress's tax and spend powers. - Answers Congress has the textual power to impose taxes & spend Federal tax revenues in any way that promotes the common defense and general welfare of the US Power to tax = Enumerated, and therefore an independent source of federal authority Identify the powers of Congress that impact individuals and businesses. - Answers four part test to evaluate constitutionality cod conditions attached to Fed spending programs: 1. grant conditions exercised in pursuit of general welfare 2. clearly stated 3. related to Fed interest in the national program or project 4. spending power cannot be used to induce states to do things that would be unconstitutional themselves