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Quiz about Legal Latin
Quiz about Legal Latin

Legal Latin Trivia Quiz


Latin is said to be a dead language. Maybe so, but not legally speaking. That is, Latin is used quite frequently in the legal profession. This quiz is about some of those Latin words and phrases that can be heard in most any courtroom.

A multiple-choice quiz by ncterp. Estimated time: 3 mins.
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Author
ncterp
Time
3 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
413,381
Updated
Aug 09 23
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
234
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: john62450 (9/10), adam36 (8/10), bradez (5/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. When a higher court tells a lower court that it wants to review a particular case, what does the higher court issue? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. What is "prima facie" evidence? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. What does "corpus delicti" mean? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. When a judge wants to meet with attorneys "in camera", what does he or she mean? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. What is the term police use to describe the manner in which a crime was committed? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. The best way for an attorney to challenge the legality of one's detention would be to file what kind of document? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. An affidavit is a verbal statement of fact.


Question 8 of 10
8. In a case before a court involving an esoteric subject with which you have abundant knowledge, you may choose to help the court by filing a what? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. What is the Latin term for "guilty mind"? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. What is the Latin term for getting caught in the actual commission of a crime? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. When a higher court tells a lower court that it wants to review a particular case, what does the higher court issue?

Answer: Writ of Certiorari

A writ is an order. A writ of certiorari is issued by a higher or appellate court when it feels the need to review a particular case. In the US, this is often where there may be possible conflicts with the Constitution. Many landmark US Supreme Court cases grew out of the issuance of such writs.

The word certiorari comes from a Latin word meaning "to be more fully informed."
2. What is "prima facie" evidence?

Answer: Evidence that can stand on its own

"Prima facie" is a Latin term meaning "at first glance". It also describes evidence upon which a case can be built.
3. What does "corpus delicti" mean?

Answer: Evidence that a crime has been committed

"Corpus delicti" is a Latin term that literally means "body of the crime", or that there is sufficient evidence to prove that a crime has been committed. As an example, if a building bursts into flames, there is no crime until an investigation reveals the evidence of one.
4. When a judge wants to meet with attorneys "in camera", what does he or she mean?

Answer: In private

"In camera" is a Latin phrase meaning "in private", usually that means in the judge's chambers. A judge will often review sensitive material "in camera".
5. What is the term police use to describe the manner in which a crime was committed?

Answer: Modus operandi

"Modus operandi", often abbreviated to "m.o.", means "manner of operation". Often it's a criminal's "m.o." that leads to their arrest.
6. The best way for an attorney to challenge the legality of one's detention would be to file what kind of document?

Answer: Writ of habeas corpus

"Habeas corpus" means "produce the body". It is a writ (order) from a court to the detaining authority to bring the body (person) to the court so the court can determine if the person is being legally detained.
7. An affidavit is a verbal statement of fact.

Answer: No

No, it is more than a statement. Affidavit is a Latin word meaning "he has declared under oath". For an affidavit to be legal, it must be voluntary, written and sworn to under oath.
8. In a case before a court involving an esoteric subject with which you have abundant knowledge, you may choose to help the court by filing a what?

Answer: Amicus curiae brief

"Amicus curiae" is a Latin term meaning "friend of the court". For example, if a court was hearing a case involving animal cruelty, PETA could file an amicus curiae brief to help the court understand the issues involved.
9. What is the Latin term for "guilty mind"?

Answer: Mens rea

"Mens rea" means "guilty mind". The law says that someone who lacks the mental ability to know whether a particular act is illegal or not, cannot be found guilty of a criminal act.
10. What is the Latin term for getting caught in the actual commission of a crime?

Answer: In flagrante delicto

"In flagrante delicto" is often used as a polite way of telling someone they've been caught in the act of sexual intercourse, but it is actually used to describe being caught in the act of committing any crime. "In pari delicto" is used to describe two parties who are equally at fault.
Source: Author ncterp

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
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