penal code
a state's written criminal laws
judicial review
the power of the Supreme Court to say whether any federal, state, or local law or government action goes against the Constitution
trial court
type of court in which a judge or a jury listens to the evidence and reaches a verdict, or decision, in favor of one party in the case
jurisdiction
a court's authority to hear and decide cases
pardon
a declaration of forgiveness and freedom from punishment
opinion
a detailed explanation of the legal thinking behind a court's decision in a case
caseload
a judge's or court's workload of cases in a period of time
Ex post facto law
a law that would allow a person to be punished for an action that was not against the law when it was committed
lawsuit
a legal action in which a person or group sues to collect damages for some harm that is done
precedent
a ruling that is used as the basis for a judicial decision in a later, similar case
Bail
a sum of money used as a security deposit to ensure that an accused person returns for his or her trial
ruling
an official decision by a judge or a court that settles a case and may also establish the meaning of a law
writ of certiorari
an order a higher court issues to a lower court to obtain the records of the lower court in a particular case
subpoena
an order that requires a person to appear in court
reprieve
an order to delay a person's punishment until a higher court can hear the case
Federal Courts
courts which deal with federal law, disputes between states, states and the government, the US and other countries, and appeals
Civil Rights Act of 1964
law passed by congress which made discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Civil Rights Act of 1968
law passed by Congress which made discrimination in housing illegal and prohibited intimidating or hurting someone on the basis of their race, color, religion, or national origin.
Voting Rights Act of 1965
law passed by congress which made discrimination in voting illegal, including prohitbiting requiring that people pass literacy tests before voting
Criminal Law
law which describes crimes and punishments
Juvenile law
laws dealing with crimes committed by individuals under 18 and their rights
Civil Law
laws which don't deal with crimes but deal with disputes among citizens, organizations, and citizens and governments.
Military Law
laws which only apply to individuals serving in the armed forces.
Adjudication hearing
one step in the legal process for dealing with suspected juvenile delinquents. This is similar to a criminal trial, except that it is closed to the public.
Trial Process
process involving 6 steps: 1. arrest; 2. preliminary hearing (judge decides on bail); 3. indictment (judge/grand jury hears evidence, formally charges suspect); 4. arraignment (suspect pleads guilty or not guilty); 5. trial (prosecution and defense presen
spoils system
rewarding people with government jobs on the basis of their political support
Appellate jurisdiction
the authority of a court to hear a case appealed from a lower court
original jurisdiction
the authority to hear cases for the first time
Judicial Branch
the branch of government that interprets laws
misdemeanor
the least serious type of crime; minor crime for which a person can be fined a small sum of money or jailed for up to one year
plaintiff
the person in a civil case who claims to have been harmed; person who files a lawsuit
stare decisis
the practice of using earlier judicial rulings as a basis for deciding cases
plea bargaining
the process in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty to a less serious crime in order to receive a lighter sentence
sentence
the punishment given to someone found guilty of committing a crime
Chief Justice
the Supreme Court justice who leads the court
unanimous opinion
the Supreme Court rules on a case in which all justices agree on the ruling
parole
to grant a prisoner an early release from prison, with certain restrictions
Appeals Court
type of court in which a party who lost a case in a lower court asks judges to review that decision and reverse it
tort
wrongful act, other than breaking a contract, for which an injured party has the right to sue