Overbroad Rule
This trap appears as a wrong-answer choice in 64 active questions. Spotting how it is built is the repair: read each example's “why it's attractive” before the “why it's wrong.”
Subject distribution
- CRIMINAL40
- Evidence10
- Real Property7
- Constitutional Law4
- Civil Procedure1
- Contracts1
- Torts1
Example wrong choices
first 2014068_retreat_canoe · CIVIL_PROCEDURE · Choice BYes, Paul has a right to a jury trial as to every claim, regardless of whether they are equitable in nature.
Why it's attractive
Students see the legal damages claim and swing to a blanket yes.
Why it's wrong
CUT: the rule is not jury for every claim regardless of equitable nature.
14250_barnabas-paul-daniel-veterans-affairs · CONSTITUTIONAL_LAW · Choice DThe ex post facto clause.
Why it's attractive
The statute imposes a civil disability, not a criminal penalty — ex post facto doesn't apply
Why it's wrong
The statute imposes a civil disability, not a criminal penalty — ex post facto doesn't apply
14560_death_qualified_choir · CRIMINAL · Choice AAffirm the conviction, but reverse the death sentence and remand for a new sentencing hearing before a different jury.
Why it's attractive
keeps conviction but assumes sentence must be redone
Why it's wrong
keeps conviction but assumes sentence must be redone
14560_death_qualified_choir · CRIMINAL · Choice BReverse both.
Why it's attractive
reverses more than the only argument can reach
Why it's wrong
reverses more than the only argument can reach
14560_death_qualified_choir · CRIMINAL · Choice DAffirm the conviction, but reverse the death sentence and remand for resentencing to life in prison.
Why it's attractive
creates a remedy the call never supports
Why it's wrong
creates a remedy the call never supports
14562_chapel_bank_stop · CRIMINAL · Choice AYes, because the confession was the fruit of a Miranda violation, even though there was no Fourth Amendment violation.
Why it's attractive
concedes no Fourth violation but assumes warning violation
Why it's wrong
concedes no Fourth violation but assumes warning violation
14562_chapel_bank_stop · CRIMINAL · Choice CYes, because the confession was the fruit of a Fourth Amendment violation, even though there was no Miranda violation.
Why it's attractive
treats reasonable suspicion as insufficient for Terry
Why it's wrong
treats reasonable suspicion as insufficient for Terry
14562_chapel_bank_stop · CRIMINAL · Choice DYes, because the confession was the fruit of both a Fourth Amendment violation and a Miranda violation.
Why it's attractive
fails both axes
Why it's wrong
fails both axes
14572_barnabas-at-the-sanctuary · CRIMINAL · Choice DShe may not grant a directed verdict for the defense, because the prosecution presented expert testimony while the defense relied only on lay witnesses.
Why it's attractive
No anchor or stem fact creates an expert-vs-lay bar on directed verdicts. The choice invents a threshold not present in the legal framework.
Why it's wrong
No anchor or stem fact creates an expert-vs-lay bar on directed verdicts. The choice invents a threshold not present in the legal framework.
14599_bethany_stoneworks_inventory · CRIMINAL · Choice Adenied, because warrantless administrative inspections of commercial premises are valid without a warrant.
Why it's attractive
The answer says commercial premises generally, while the stem gives a special regulated industry.
Why it's wrong
The answer says commercial premises generally, while the stem gives a special regulated industry.
14599_bethany_stoneworks_inventory · CRIMINAL · Choice Csustained, because the safety-and-theft purpose of the statute is merely a pretext for conducting criminal searches.
Why it's attractive
The stem gives a routine regulatory inspection, but the answer treats the search as ordinary criminal pretext.
Why it's wrong
The stem gives a routine regulatory inspection, but the answer treats the search as ordinary criminal pretext.
14599_bethany_stoneworks_inventory · CRIMINAL · Choice Dsustained, because the inspection code gives mine inspectors and police unbridled discretion to conduct warrantless searches.
Why it's attractive
Unbridled means no meaningful limits; the stem lists limits.
Why it's wrong
Unbridled means no meaningful limits; the stem lists limits.
14713_hymn_study_keys · CRIMINAL · Choice DTimothy and Stephen are guilty of burglary.
Why it's attractive
The answer upgrades the whole scene to burglary without entry-time crime intent for both actors.
Why it's wrong
The answer upgrades the whole scene to burglary without entry-time crime intent for both actors.
14826_mary_scooter_fundraiser_bias · EVIDENCE · Choice Aimproper, because Lydia has not been given an opportunity to explain or deny the incident.
Why it's wrong
Choice A is not the credited answer for this item.
14826_mary_scooter_fundraiser_bias · EVIDENCE · Choice Bproper, because it tends to show Lydia's violent character.
Why it's wrong
Choice B is not the credited answer for this item.
14826_mary_scooter_fundraiser_bias · EVIDENCE · Choice Dimproper, because impeachment cannot properly be by specific instances of conduct.
Why it's wrong
Choice D is not the credited answer for this item.
15009_scripture-print-fixtures · REAL_PROPERTY · Choice DFor Mary, because the items became part of Mary's real estate when they were installed.
Why it's attractive
Treats installation as automatic forfeiture.
Why it's wrong
Treats installation as automatic forfeiture.
15012 · REAL_PROPERTY · Choice Dthe owner of Building 2, because he has a right to take whatever action is necessary to protect himself from possible tort liability to persons using the stairway.
Why it's attractive
D says 'whatever action is necessary.' That is an overclaim. Easement repair rights are limited, not unlimited self-help.
Why it's wrong
D says 'whatever action is necessary.' That is an overclaim. Easement repair rights are limited, not unlimited self-help.
15014 · REAL_PROPERTY · Choice Cvalid, but only so long as the original grantees from the landowner own their respective tracts of Peterhill.
Why it's attractive
The phrase 'only so long as' imposes an original-owner limit. The deed text says the opposite: heirs, assigns, successors, and any owner of Peterhill.
Why it's wrong
The phrase 'only so long as' imposes an original-owner limit. The deed text says the opposite: heirs, assigns, successors, and any owner of Peterhill.
15015_advent_lantern · REAL_PROPERTY · Choice AEsther, because a personal representative may remove only trade fixtures from real property.
Why it's attractive
The word only adds a restriction the taught Gold Key does not contain.
Why it's wrong
The word only adds a restriction the taught Gold Key does not contain.
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