BLAW 3310 EXAM 3 REVIEW STUDY GUIDE
WITH FULL EXPLANATIONS 2026
◉ Stability. Answer: the legal system helps define acceptable
behavior. The law limits activities that hurt the public interest. The
law can also require or encourage business practices that further
social or political goals
◉ Predictability. Answer: law provides predictability and uniformity
◉ Social Change. Answer: the legal system provides a way to bring
about changes in "acceptable" behavior
-Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): state racial segregation for public
facilities legal under "separate buy equal"
-Brown v. Board of Education (1954): state laws establishing racial
segregation in public school is unconstitutional
◉ Conflict Resolution. Answer: a critical function of the law is
dispute resolution
-Court system (formal process)
◉ Constitution. Answer: the fundamental law of a nation; written
document (not always written) establishing the powers of
government and its basic structure
,◉ U.S. Constitution. Answer: sets framework, powers and limits of
federal government (3 branches of government)
◉ Legislative Branch. Answer: Congress (House and Senate); makes
the laws
◉ Executive Branch. Answer: President and his cabinet; implements
the laws (executive orders)
◉ Judicial Branch. Answer: Supreme Court; interpret the laws
◉ Statutes. Answer: rules made by legislative bodies; written by
legislative, signed into by executive; typically commands or prohibits
something, or declares policy (affects business behavior)
◉ Administrative Agencies. Answer: a governmental bureau
established by Congress (or the President) to execute certain
functions of Congress
◉ Common Law. Answer: law made and applied by judges as they
resolve disputes among private parties; foundation of agency
(employment), contact, property, and tort law
, ◉ Legal Precedent. Answer: to settle disputes that are similar to past
disputes, judges look for guidance by studying decisions form earlier
recorded cases
◉ Stare Decisis. Answer: "to stand on decided cases"; the use of
precedent by courts
◉ Criminal Law. Answer: concern legal wrongs or crimes committed
against the state (Felony or Misdemeanor)
◉ Felony. Answer: serious class crime punishable by imprisonment
of more than a year
◉ Misdemeanor. Answer: lesser class crime punishable by a fine
and/or imprisonment of less than a year (not in state or federal
penitentiaries)
◉ Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. Answer: in criminal law, the general
rule that for a judge to find a defendant guilty, there can be no
significant doubt that the defendant violated a criminal statute
(higher standard of proof); jail time
◉ Civil Law. Answer: concerns the rights and responsibilities that
exist among members of society or between individuals and the
government in non-criminal matters
WITH FULL EXPLANATIONS 2026
◉ Stability. Answer: the legal system helps define acceptable
behavior. The law limits activities that hurt the public interest. The
law can also require or encourage business practices that further
social or political goals
◉ Predictability. Answer: law provides predictability and uniformity
◉ Social Change. Answer: the legal system provides a way to bring
about changes in "acceptable" behavior
-Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): state racial segregation for public
facilities legal under "separate buy equal"
-Brown v. Board of Education (1954): state laws establishing racial
segregation in public school is unconstitutional
◉ Conflict Resolution. Answer: a critical function of the law is
dispute resolution
-Court system (formal process)
◉ Constitution. Answer: the fundamental law of a nation; written
document (not always written) establishing the powers of
government and its basic structure
,◉ U.S. Constitution. Answer: sets framework, powers and limits of
federal government (3 branches of government)
◉ Legislative Branch. Answer: Congress (House and Senate); makes
the laws
◉ Executive Branch. Answer: President and his cabinet; implements
the laws (executive orders)
◉ Judicial Branch. Answer: Supreme Court; interpret the laws
◉ Statutes. Answer: rules made by legislative bodies; written by
legislative, signed into by executive; typically commands or prohibits
something, or declares policy (affects business behavior)
◉ Administrative Agencies. Answer: a governmental bureau
established by Congress (or the President) to execute certain
functions of Congress
◉ Common Law. Answer: law made and applied by judges as they
resolve disputes among private parties; foundation of agency
(employment), contact, property, and tort law
, ◉ Legal Precedent. Answer: to settle disputes that are similar to past
disputes, judges look for guidance by studying decisions form earlier
recorded cases
◉ Stare Decisis. Answer: "to stand on decided cases"; the use of
precedent by courts
◉ Criminal Law. Answer: concern legal wrongs or crimes committed
against the state (Felony or Misdemeanor)
◉ Felony. Answer: serious class crime punishable by imprisonment
of more than a year
◉ Misdemeanor. Answer: lesser class crime punishable by a fine
and/or imprisonment of less than a year (not in state or federal
penitentiaries)
◉ Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. Answer: in criminal law, the general
rule that for a judge to find a defendant guilty, there can be no
significant doubt that the defendant violated a criminal statute
(higher standard of proof); jail time
◉ Civil Law. Answer: concerns the rights and responsibilities that
exist among members of society or between individuals and the
government in non-criminal matters
