Federal System
The sharing of power between the central (national) and state governments
Reserved Powers
Powers that the U.S. Constitution does not give to the national government and are retained by the states
Concurrent Powers
Powers that are shared by the federal and state governments
Supremacy Clause
The clause in Article VI of the U.S. Constitution that make federal laws prevail over state laws if they are in conflict
Grants-in-Aid
Federal taxpayer money given to the states by the federal government
Unicameral
A one house legislature (only Nebraska has this)
Redistricting
The process of redrawing legislative districts
Malapportionment
Unequal representation in a state legislature
Session
A meeting of a legislative or judicial body to conduct business
Special Session
A legislative meeting called for a specific purpose
Legislative Referendum
A vote by the people called by the legislature to seek voter approval of a law
Popular Referendum
A question placed on a ballot by a citizen led petition to decide if a law should be repealed
Line Item Veto
To veto only a specific part of a larger bill - generally a spending bill
(U.S. President does not have this power)
Commute
To reduce a criminal's sentence
Parole
To grant a prisoner an early release from prison with certain restrictions
Trial Court
The type of court in which a judge or a jury listens to the evidence and reaches a verdict in favor of one party or the other in a case
Misdemeanor
A less serious crime (usually having a maximum penalty of less than one year in jail)
Civil Case
A court case in which one party in a dispute claims to have been harmed in some way by the other party and is seeking compensation
Plaintiff
The person in a civil case who claims to have been harmed
Defendant
The person in a civil case who is said to have caused harm or in a criminal case - who is alleged to have broken the law
Appellate Court
The type of Court in which a party who lost at the trial court (lower court) asks judges to review that decision and reverse it
Felony
A more serious crime (usually one in which the maximum penalty is one year or more jail time)
Federal System
The sharing of power between the central (national) and state governments
Reserved Powers
Powers that the U.S. Constitution does not give to the national government and are retained by the states
Concurrent Powers
Powers that are shared by the federal and state governments
Supremacy Clause
The clause in Article VI of the U.S. Constitution that make federal laws prevail over state laws if they are in conflict
Grants-in-Aid
Federal taxpayer money given to the states by the federal government
Unicameral
A one house legislature (only Nebraska has this)
Redistricting
The process of redrawing legislative districts
Malapportionment
Unequal representation in a state legislature
Session
A meeting of a legislative or judicial body to conduct business
Special Session
A legislative meeting called for a specific purpose
Legislative Referendum
A vote by the people called by the legislature to seek voter approval of a law
Popular Referendum
A question placed on a ballot by a citizen led petition to decide if a law should be repealed
Line Item Veto
To veto only a specific part of a larger bill - generally a spending bill
(U.S. President does not have this power)
Commute
To reduce a criminal's sentence
Parole
To grant a prisoner an early release from prison with certain restrictions
Trial Court
The type of court in which a judge or a jury listens to the evidence and reaches a verdict in favor of one party or the other in a case
Misdemeanor
A less serious crime (usually having a maximum penalty of less than one year in jail)
Civil Case
A court case in which one party in a dispute claims to have been harmed in some way by the other party and is seeking compensation
Plaintiff
The person in a civil case who claims to have been harmed
Defendant
The person in a civil case who is said to have caused harm or in a criminal case - who is alleged to have broken the law
Appellate Court
The type of Court in which a party who lost at the trial court (lower court) asks judges to review that decision and reverse it
Felony
A more serious crime (usually one in which the maximum penalty is one year or more jail time)