Bar Exam - Boys State - California | Questions and Answers with complete solution

What is the supreme law of the land? - The US Constitution What are the three branches of government? - Legislative "makes laws" - Executive "carries out laws" - Judicial "evaluates laws" Is it possible to amend the US Constitution by plebiscite? - Yes, the Amendments to state constitution are ratified by a vote of the people. How many amendments have been added to the US Constitution? - 27 amendments (as of 2017) When and how did California become a state? - California applied for statehood (1849) and became a state (September 9, 1850) after the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed and Mexico gave the land the the US. When was the present day California Constitution adopted? - Our present day Constitution was adopted on May 7th, 1879. How many amendments have been added to the California Constitution? - The California Constitution has 512 amendments (as of 2017) What is an "ex post facto" law? - A law that makes illegal an act that was legal when committed, increases the penalties for an infraction after it has been committed, or changes the rules or evidence to make conviction easier. Which state official represents the state in court? - State's attorney What is the difference between a civil and criminal suit? - A civil suit usually deals with private corporations or individuals in order to make money or a jail sentence. A criminal suit deals with a person who has committed a crime and is being treated to a court case.