What does the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantee in federal courts for cases at law?

Correct answer: The right to a jury trial when the amount in controversy exceeds $20.

Explanation

This question tests knowledge of a specific constitutional amendment that is crucial to civil procedure. The Seventh Amendment preserves the historical right to have a jury of one's peers decide factual disputes in most civil cases.

Other questions

Question 1

In a civil trial, which of the following governs all proceedings in federal district courts?

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of the pleadings in a lawsuit?

Question 3

According to the text, a complaint must contain which three elements?

Question 4

What is the legal term for formally notifying a defendant of a lawsuit?

Question 5

In federal courts, how much time does a defendant have to answer a complaint after being served with a summons?

Question 6

What is the consequence if a defendant fails to deny an allegation in their answer to a complaint under the federal rules?

Question 7

What is it called when a defendant, in their answer, admits the truth of the complaint but raises new facts to show they should not be held liable?

Question 8

Which pretrial motion asks the court to decide the case based solely on the complaint and the answer, without any outside evidence?

Question 9

What is the primary difference between a deposition and an interrogatory in the discovery process?

Question 10

What is the purpose of a pretrial conference?

Question 11

During jury selection (voir dire), what type of challenge allows an attorney to ask for a juror to be dismissed without providing a reason?

Question 12

Which type of evidence is generally not admissible in court because it is defined as testimony about a statement made by someone else who was not under oath at the time?

Question 13

What is the name of the motion a party can make at the conclusion of the plaintiff's case, arguing that the plaintiff has presented no evidence to support their claim?

Question 14

What is the term for a posttrial motion that asks the judge to set aside the jury's verdict as unreasonable and erroneous and enter a judgment for the opposing party?

Question 15

When an appellate court reviews a case, what does it typically focus on?

Question 16

If an appellate court sends a case back to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with its opinion, what action has it taken?

Question 17

What is a writ of execution used for?

Question 18

Which type of attorney's fee is fixed as a percentage of a client's recovery in a personal-injury lawsuit?

Question 19

In the case of Cruz v. Fagor America, Inc., how did the plaintiff, Cruz, serve the summons and complaint on the out-of-state corporation?

Question 20

A motion for summary judgment will be granted by a court only if:

Question 21

What is the typical range for contingency fees as a percentage of a client's recovery, according to the text?

Question 22

What is the term for a defendant's claim against the plaintiff, which is included in the defendant's answer?

Question 23

In the case Computer Task Group, Inc. v. Brotby, why did the appellate court uphold the lower court's entry of a default judgment against Brotby?

Question 24

What is the term for the process of obtaining information from the opposing party or from witnesses prior to trial?

Question 26

What must an attorney provide to the court when challenging a prospective juror 'for cause'?

Question 27

In the case Novak v. Tucows, Inc., why were the printouts of internet pages from the Wayback Machine considered inadmissible hearsay?

Question 28

What is the questioning of a witness by the opposing attorney called, which takes place after the direct examination?

Question 29

Under what condition will a judge grant a motion for a new trial?

Question 30

What document must a party file with the trial court clerk to initiate the appeal process?

Question 31

Under the FRCP, if a defendant agrees to waive formal service of process, how much additional time do they receive to respond to the complaint?

Question 32

Which of the following is an example of electronic evidence, or e-evidence?

Question 33

What is the primary purpose of a motion to strike, as described in Exhibit 3-4?

Question 34

When is evidence considered relevant and thus potentially admissible in court?

Question 35

What does a summons typically notify a defendant of?

Question 36

Under what circumstances may a court grant a request for a physical or mental examination of a party during discovery?

Question 37

What is the purpose of the exclusionary rule in criminal procedure?

Question 38

After the plaintiff's attorney presents their case, the defense attorney presents their evidence. What can the plaintiff's attorney present after the defense has finished?

Question 39

What is a major reason that an appellate court will not tamper with a trial court's finding of fact?

Question 40

What is the Latin phrase 'non obstante veredicto' associated with?

Question 41

What is the purpose of an opening statement at the beginning of a trial?

Question 42

A default judgment may be entered against a defendant who fails to do what?

Question 43

What is an appellate brief?

Question 44

In the context of discovery, what are affidavits?

Question 45

Under what circumstance would an appellate court be most likely to modify a lower court's decision?

Question 46

What is a motion to compel discovery used for?

Question 47

What term refers to the questioning of a witness by the attorney who called them to the stand?

Question 48

According to the case study of Cruz v. Fagor America, Inc., what was the result of the appeal?

Question 49

What does an appellate court review to make its decision?

Question 50

Which of the following is NOT a procedural step in a criminal case, as outlined in Exhibit 9-3?