statute
collection of laws passed by Congress, written laws
precedent
an interpretation of a law that is used in later trials, become part of common law
common law
law based on court decisions rather than a legal code
ordinances
local laws
regulations
rules that an agency within the executive branch makes, they have power similar to a law
lawsuit
a disagreement brought to the courts for a resolution
plaintiff
someone who files a lawsuit against someone or brings criminal charges against someone
defendant
someone who is charged with a crime or accused of some other wrong doing
felony
serious crimes that normally have a punishment of more than one year in jail
misdemeanor
less serious crimes that have a punishment of a fine or less than one year in jail
burglary
unlawful entry into any dwelling or structure
larceny
the unlawful taking away of another person's property with the intent to never return it
robbery
taking someone's property by threat or force
tort
a person may suffer an injury and claim another person is responsible because of negligence
complaint
a formal notice that a lawsuit is being brought
summons
a notice directing someone to appear in court to answer a complaint or charge
discovery
process by which attorneys have opportunity to check facts and gather evidence
settlement
in a legal case, the amount of money the defendant agrees to pay the plaintiff
prosecution
party who starts the legal proceedings against another party for a violation of the law
crime
an act that breaks a law and causes harm to people or society in general
penal code
a state's written criminal laws
parole
to grant a prisoner an early release from prison, with certain restrictions
mandatory sentencing
punishment that judges must impose according to what the law directs
arraignment
a hearing in which a suspect is charged and pleads guilty or not guilty
testimony
that statement a witness makes under oath
cross-examine
a question a witness at a trial or a hearing to check or discredit the testimony
acquittal
a vote of not guilty
hung jury
a jury that cannot agree on a verdict
juvenile
a person not yet legally an adult
juvenile delinquent
a child or teenager who commits a serious crime or repeatedly breaks the law
rehabilitate
to correct a person's behavior