Abel and Karin were in a business dispute. It looked like they might be headed for a lawsuit. Abel suggested that they hire an independent, neutral, third party to avoid a trial. This person would hear the evidence and argument of the parties and decide who wins the dispute.  What is this type of process called?

A jury found that MotoCo had to pay punitive damages to a plaintiff in a tort claim. The plaintiff was seriously injured when the defective part that MotoCo intentionally included in its SUV failed. The punitive damage award was 25 times the amount of the plaintiff’s compensatory damages. There are no civil penalties that apply in this situation.

Toni and Jane are students at Chaffey College. They were taking a test in the Zoology lab when Toni noticed that Jane was copying her answers. She tried to cover her paper, but Jane was a good cheater. This really made Toni mad. She reached into a drawer, picked up a stuffed Avocet (a bird with a long sharp beak), and stabbed Jane in the arm. Jane stopped cheating. The police arrested Toni. The District Attorney’s office prosecuted Toni on charges of assault with a deadly weapon.  Later, Jane filed a lawsuit against Toni for money damages. What type of case is each of these? 

California Court of Appeal Justices:

George entered Benya’s Auto Mart to purchase a used car. George found a vehicle with a sales price of $11,000. After answering all of George’s questions, Benya and George agreed to a sale at that price. As George was leaving to get the money to pay for the car, Benya told George that Jon Voight formerly owned the car. George said “That settles it. Now, I really have to buy this car!” He got the money and purchased the car. George later learned that Jon Voight had never owned the car and Benya knew that all along. If George sues for fraud, he will _______.

Tommy owned a newspaper. He could not stand Abel who was the world’s most famous golfer. His popularity was so great, his fame went beyond the world of golf. His face was recognized worldwide. A freelance reporter gave Tommy a story that said Abel cheated at golf when playing with friends. Tommy knew this was not true, but decided to run the story anyway. The story ran, and Abel’s friends would no longer talk to him. He also lost his advertising sponsorships. His reputation was ruined. Abel sues Tommy and the paper.

Jose was thinking about his decision to construct his new facility round the clock. At first he thought that it might result in excess noise in the area around XYZ’s facility and that it would disrupt the sleep of the area’s residents. After a moment, he decided that 24 hour construction was really the only choice because it would complete the facility sooner. This was best for XYZ, and as president he had to make the hard decisions that help XYZ, regardless of how the decision impacts anyone else. There was really nothing else he could do, the situation required him to make this decision.

Juana saw her co-worker Robert using prescription drugs. Juana does not like Robert at all. She realizes that she can cause Robert some trouble at work because they are both nurses. Juana tells her supervisor that he saw Robert abusing prescription drugs without a prescription, and that she was worried Robert might injure a patient (even though she believed he was not abusing). Karen talks with Robert about the alleged drug usage and Robert produces a bottle of prescription medicine and a prescription showing that he is required to take for high blood pressure. The medication does not affect his ability to care for patients. Robert claims that Juana committed defamation when Juana told Karen he used illegal drugs. Is Robert right?

Ariana decided to start a new career, driving racing cars. She became very good at it very quickly. She loved to drive fast and sing at the same time. Fans loved to watch her race and listen to the live stream of her music at the same time! People loved her white race car with the lavender number “21″ painted on the side. She called her car the “Grande Prix.” The Prep Boys auto parts store ran an ad showing the Grande Prix at the finish line clearly showing the number “21″ on the side of the car. You could not see Ariana’s face, but there was someone in the car wearing a lavender jump suit and helmet. The ad said “Cross the finish line first with the Prep Boys!” Ariana sued the Prep Boys.

Riley decided to play a practical joke on Terri, a co-worker. As Terri was leaving the office one night, Riley, wearing a mask, stepped out from behind some bushes. He pointed a realistic looking handgun made out of licorice at her and demanded her purse, or else he would kill her. Terri was afraid he would shoot her. Terri was a sixth degree black belt. When Riley pointed the “gun” barrel at her, Terri grabbed his wrist and twisted it. It broke, making him drop the gun. Terri filed a civil lawsuit against Riley.