When a judge is required to follow an earlier court decision when deciding a case with similar circumstances. Also called the doctrine of "stare decisis."
Precedent
100
Less serious crime with a less sever penalty.
Misdemeanor
100
Minor who has done something that would not be a crime if it were done by an adult.
Unruly child
100
One person's interference with another's rights, either through intent negligence, or strict liability.
Tort
100
Power and authority given to a court to hear a case and to make a judgment.
Jurisdiction
200
Rules of conduct established by the government of a society to maintain stability and justice in that society.
Law
200
Attempt to commit a battery.
Assault
200
Willful or malicious causing of damage to property.
Vandalism
200
Court order issued by a judge ordering a person to do or not to do something.
Injunction
200
Actions between citizens of different states where the amount of money involved exceeds $50,000.
Diversity of citizenship
300
Law specifically passed by a governing body created for that purpose.
Statute
300
Major crime punishable by imprisonment or death.
Felony
300
Goal of the juvenile court system to restore the offender to a useful life rather than to impose harsh penalties.
Rehabilitation
300
Wrongful act of injuring another's reputation by making false statements. Generally divided into two categories, libel and slander.
Defamation
300
Authority of a court to try a case the first time it is heard.
Original jurisdiction
400
Decisions of the early law courts developed in England based on customs.
Common Law
400
Person who is accused of a crime.
Defendant
400
Minor, under a certain age (usually sixteen), who has committed an act that would be a crime if done by an adult.
Delinquent child
400
Something that produces a result, and without which, the result would not have occured.
Proximate cause
400
Courts that have the authority to hear appeals and review cases from lower courts.
Appellate court
500
Values that govern a society's attitude toward right and wrong.
Morality
500
Breaking (opening) and entering of a dwelling at night with the intent to commit a felony.
Burglary
500
Act of stealing goods from a store.
Shoplifting
500
When a person does not exercise the degree of care that a reasonable person would exercise in that same situation.
Breach of duty
500
Party that accuses the person of a crime. The plaintiff.