appellate jurisdiction
a higher court's authority to review legal decisions by a lower court
indictment
a formal statement by a prosecuting attorney charging someone with a crime
Subpoena
a court document requiring a person to appear in court and testify at a given time and place
acquittal
a court finds the defendant not guilty
grand jury
decides whether there is sufficient evidence against an accused person to justify a criminal trial
public defender
an accused person who cannot afford legal aid is provided with this court appointed lawyer
criminal law
it defines crimes and establishes punishment for violations
ex post facto law
makes illegal an action that was legal at the time the law was passed; forbidden by the constitution
amnesty
a group of lawbreakers are given a general pardon
original jurisdiction
the power of a court to hear a case when it is first brought into the judicial system
opinion
a court's written decision in a case, which includes reasons for the ruling
plea
the response of the defendant in a court case regarding his or her guilt or innocence
sequester
the isolation of jury members
dissenting opinion
the view of a judge who disagrees with the majority opinion of the court
extradition
an accused person is returned to the state or country where the crime was allegedly committed
hung jury
a group of people who cannot agree on a verdict
capital punishment
the death penalty
reprieve
an execution or prison sentence is temporarily delayed by this official order by a chief executive
civil law
it provides for the settlement of disputes between individuals over such matters as contracts and family relations
state court
has jurisdiction over all cases arising under a state's own law