Category 1: Foundations of Law
A system of rules created and enforced by a government or society.
What is law?
This type of law deals with offenses against society, such as robbery or murder.
What is criminal law?
The person accused of committing a crime or being sued in a civil case.
Who is the defendant?
The guilty action or physical act required for most crimes.
What is actus reus?
The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a particular case.
What is jurisdiction?
Information presented in court to help prove or disprove a fact.
What is evidence?
A rule established by a government legislature such as Congress or a state legislature.
What is a statute?
This type of law deals with disputes between individuals or organizations.
What is civil law?
The person who begins a civil lawsuit against another person.
Who is the plaintiff?
The guilty mind or criminal intent required for many crimes.
What is mens rea?
The process by which a case is formally brought before a court.
What is litigation?
The final decision reached by a jury in a trial.
What is a verdict?
Law that comes from judges' decisions in previous court cases.
What is case law?
This area of civil law deals with wrongful acts that cause injury or damage.
What is tort law?
The government attorney who tries to prove that a criminal defendant committed a crime.
Who is the prosecutor?
A serious crime such as murder, robbery, or kidnapping.
What is a felony?
A formal statement accusing someone of committing a crime.
What is a charge?
In a criminal case, the prosecution must prove guilt to this very high standard.
What is beyond a reasonable doubt?
A previous court decision that judges use when deciding similar cases.
What is precedent?
This area of law deals with legally enforceable agreements between parties.
What is contract law?
A person who gives evidence under oath about what they saw, heard, or know.
Who is a witness?
A less serious criminal offense, often punishable by a fine or shorter jail sentence.
What is a misdemeanor?
The legal requirement that government follow fair procedures before taking away someone's life, liberty, or property.
What is due process?
In most civil cases, the plaintiff must prove that their claim is more likely true than not.
What is preponderance of the evidence?
The legal principle requiring courts to generally follow earlier decisions in similar cases.
What is stare decisis?
This type of law establishes the powers and limits of government and protects individual rights.
What is constitutional law?
A group of citizens who listen to evidence and determine facts in a trial.
What is a jury?
A person intentionally helps another person commit a crime but does not necessarily carry out the main criminal act.
Who is an accomplice?
Protection preventing a person from being tried twice for the same crime after an acquittal or conviction.
What is double jeopardy?
When a higher court reviews the decision of a lower court, the process is called this.
What is an appeal?