Popular sovereignty
Basic principal of the American system of government which asserts that the people are he source of any with the consent of the governed
Limited government
Basic principle of American government which states that government is restricted in what it may do and each individual has rights that government cannot take away
Fundamental law
Laws of basic and lasting importance which may not easily be changed
Initiative
A process in which a certain number of qualified voters sign petitions in favor of a proposed statue or constitutional amendment which then goes directly to the ballot
Statutory law
A law passed by the legislature
Police power
The authority of each state to act to protect and promote the public health safety morals and general welfare
Constituent power
The non-legislative power of constitution making and the constitutional amendment process
Referendum
A process by which a legislative measure is referred to the states voters for final approval or rejections
Recall
A petition procedure by which voters may remove an elected official from office before the completion of his or her regular ter
Item veto
A governor may veto one or more items in a bill without rejecting the entire measure
Clemency
Mercy or leniency granted to an offender by a chief executive
Pardon
Release from the punishment or legal consequences of a crime by the president or a governor
Commutation
The power to reduce the length of a sentence or fine for a crime
Reprieve
An official postponement of the execution of a sentence
Parole
The release of a prisoner short of the complete term of the original sentence
Common law
An unwritten law made by a judge that has developed over centuries from those generally accepted ideas of right and wrong that have gained judicial recognition
Precedent
Court decision that stands as an example to be followed in future similar cases
Criminal law
The portion of the law that defines public wrongs and provides for their punishment
Felony
A serious crime which may be punished by a heavy fine and or imprisonment or even death
Misdemeanor
A lesser offense punishable by a small fine and or a short jail term
Infraction
A minor crime punishable by a fine but not incarceration
Civil law
The portion of the law relating to human conduct to disputes between private parties and to disputes between private parties and government not covered by criminal law
Jury
A body of persons selected according to law who hear evidence and decide questions of fact in a court case
Information
A formal chart filed by a prosecutor without the action of a grand jury
Bench trial
A trail in which the judge alone hears the case
Warrant
A court order authorizing or making legal some official action such as a search warrant or an arrest warrant
Appellate jurisdiction
The authority of a court to review decisions of inferior courts
Retention election
A yes or no vote to renew the term of an appointed judge