Wrong Timing
This trap appears as a wrong-answer choice in 37 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
- CRIMINAL15
- Real Property7
- Contracts6
- Civil Procedure3
- Constitutional Law3
- Evidence3
Example wrong choices
first 2014222_piano_tutor_counterclaim_default · CIVIL_PROCEDURE · Choice CNo, because Peter still had time to answer the counterclaim.
Why it's attractive
Four weeks is more than 21 days after service.
Why it's wrong
Four weeks is more than 21 days after service.
14293_mootness-live-stream · CONSTITUTIONAL_LAW · Choice DDefer action on the motion until after any appellate proceedings in the criminal case have concluded, because the defendant might appeal, the conviction might be set aside, a new trial might be ordered, and the streaming issue could resurface.
Why it's attractive
The chance of appellate reversal is too remote. No obvious errors means no strong likelihood of revival. Mootness does not yield to theoretical possibilities.
Why it's wrong
The chance of appellate reversal is too remote. No obvious errors means no strong likelihood of revival. Mootness does not yield to theoretical possibilities.
14400_mechanical_camel · CONTRACTS · Choice AAfter the camel had completed four Advent tours for Daniel, it was discovered that, because of a clerical error unknown to both parties, the maker’s certificate listed an obscure prop shop as the builder rather than the famous Jerusalem Stageworks workshop that had actually built it.
Why it's attractive
The actual maker is better than the listed maker; that does not hurt Daniel.
Why it's wrong
The actual maker is better than the listed maker; that does not hurt Daniel.
14400_mechanical_camel · CONTRACTS · Choice BA week after the sale, while Daniel was testing the camel, it suddenly jerked, threw him from its platform, and injured him so severely that he was hospitalized for seven months and needed eighteen months for full recovery.
Why it's attractive
The later harm matches the warning that the camel jerks.
Why it's wrong
The later harm matches the warning that the camel jerks.
14400_mechanical_camel · CONTRACTS · Choice DThe camel earned Daniel $4.8 million over a four-year touring career, but when retired it was found to have nonstandard internal electronics and to be useless as a template for manufacturing replica camels.
Why it's attractive
The camel already delivered four years of the bought-for use.
Why it's wrong
The camel already delivered four years of the bought-for use.
14427_peter_john_boat_inquiry · CONTRACTS · Choice ANo, because the offer lapsed before John accepted.
Why it's attractive
Did the offer state a time limit? No. So lapse requires reasonable time. The whole exchange was minutes. Reasonable time? Yes. No lapse. CUT.
Why it's wrong
Did the offer state a time limit? No. So lapse requires reasonable time. The whole exchange was minutes. Reasonable time? Yes. No lapse. CUT.
14561_grand_jury_lantern_prints · CRIMINAL · Choice AGranted, because the assistant was acting as a police agent and the warrantless removal of the lantern was unconstitutional.
Why it's attractive
litigates agency instead of grand-jury timing
Why it's wrong
litigates agency instead of grand-jury timing
14561_grand_jury_lantern_prints · CRIMINAL · Choice CDenied, because the lantern was removed from Stephen's possession by a private citizen and not a police officer.
Why it's attractive
denies the motion for a private-citizen reason despite police persuasion
Why it's wrong
denies the motion for a private-citizen reason despite police persuasion
14561_grand_jury_lantern_prints · CRIMINAL · Choice DGranted, because, if there was no probable cause, the grand jury should not consider the evidence.
Why it's attractive
adds a probable-cause condition to grand-jury evidence
Why it's wrong
adds a probable-cause condition to grand-jury evidence
14723_worship_van_collision · CRIMINAL · Choice Bconvicted, because they made no effort to intervene.
Why it's attractive
The choice turns nonintervention into accomplice liability without a duty fact.
Why it's wrong
The choice turns nonintervention into accomplice liability without a duty fact.
14723_worship_van_collision · CRIMINAL · Choice Cconvicted, because they urged Daniel to run away.
Why it's attractive
The words came after the victim fell, not as aid to commit manslaughter.
Why it's wrong
The words came after the victim fell, not as aid to commit manslaughter.
14723_worship_van_collision · CRIMINAL · Choice Dacquitted, because Daniel was not convicted of the offense.
Why it's attractive
The choice makes the hung jury the reason, not the companions' conduct.
Why it's wrong
The choice makes the hung jury the reason, not the companions' conduct.
14760_forklift_warehouse · EVIDENCE · Choice AYes, as a statement made for purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment.
Why it's attractive
803(4) is real, but a fault accusation isn't pertinent to treatment — needs the pertinence Gold Key.
Why it's wrong
803(4) is real, but a fault accusation isn't pertinent to treatment — needs the pertinence Gold Key.
14760_forklift_warehouse · EVIDENCE · Choice BYes, as an excited utterance.
Why it's attractive
Three-hour delay is visible in the stem; excited utterance needs ongoing stress.
Why it's wrong
Three-hour delay is visible in the stem; excited utterance needs ongoing stress.
14760_forklift_warehouse · EVIDENCE · Choice DNo, because it relates an opinion.
Why it's attractive
No rule excludes hearsay just for being an opinion; the stated reason invents a requirement.
Why it's wrong
No rule excludes hearsay just for being an opinion; the stated reason invents a requirement.
15011_psalm_ridge_meadow · REAL_PROPERTY · Choice ADaniel, because the express easement ended when Ruth conveyed the meadow back to him.
Why it's attractive
The choice answers the first chapter: the old express easement ended. The call asks the final access lawsuit after the later landlocked conveyance.
Why it's wrong
The choice answers the first chapter: the old express easement ended. The call asks the final access lawsuit after the later landlocked conveyance.
15011_psalm_ridge_meadow · REAL_PROPERTY · Choice BDaniel, because Lydia can buy a different route across Naomi's land to another county road.
Why it's attractive
The choice uses a later practical option. The access right is tested at the severance that made the meadow landlocked.
Why it's wrong
The choice uses a later practical option. The access right is tested at the severance that made the meadow landlocked.
15011_psalm_ridge_meadow · REAL_PROPERTY · Choice CLydia, because Daniel is estopped by the access easement he once granted to Ruth.
Why it's attractive
The choice uses a real-sounding easement frame but attaches Lydia's current right to the wrong source.
Why it's wrong
The choice uses a real-sounding easement frame but attaches Lydia's current right to the wrong source.
15015_advent_lantern · REAL_PROPERTY · Choice CEsther, because the Advent lantern could not be legally removed after Martha died.
Why it's attractive
The choice reverses the taught timing rule by treating death as an instant cutoff.
Why it's wrong
The choice reverses the taught timing rule by treating death as an instant cutoff.
15023 · REAL_PROPERTY · Choice Bthe landowner, because a right for support, appurtenant to Lot 1, had been acquired by adverse possession or prescription.
Why it's attractive
The 12-year and 10-year facts are bait. The support right on these facts does not need to be acquired by prescription.
Why it's wrong
The 12-year and 10-year facts are bait. The support right on these facts does not need to be acquired by prescription.
Practice the questions that use this trap as a distractor and get full Wrong Answer Forensics on submit.
Practice questions using this trap →