Basics of Legal System
Who is a prosecutor?
the government’s attorney in a criminal case
What amendment guarantees the right to free speech?
What is "the act of killing that is premeditated, deliberate, and done with malice"?
First Degree Murder
What is an arrest?
When a person suspected of a crime is taken into custody
What is one of the possible sentencing options the judge can sentence a guilty person to?
Suspended Sentence, Probation, Home Confinement, Fine, Restitution, Imprisonment, the Death Penalty
What document is the supreme law of the land in the United States?
the Constitution
What amendment states that people have "the right to keep & bear arms"?
the Second Amendment
What is "is the willful and malicious burning of a person’s property"?
Arson
What is "the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, usually cash amount"?
Bail
What is a "pardon" in the Criminal Justice System?
A pardon means, in effect, that the crime did not happen.
It is granted by the President or Governor
What is the highest court in the United States, that all courts must follow?
the U.S. Supreme Court
What amendment states you cannot be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against yourself?
the Fifth Amendment
What is "the unlawful taking of property from a person’s immediate possession by force or intimidation"?
Robbery
What is "Probable Cause"?
Having a reasonable belief that a specific person has committed a crime, permitting a legal arrest
What is a "closing argument"?
The closing arguments are the last things the jury members or judge hear from both sides before they deliberate
What is a civil case?
A private citizen, organization or group of citizens suing someone else
What amendment protects against unreasonable search and seizures?
the Fourth Amendment
What is "is any attempt or threat to carry out a physical attack upon another person"?
Assault
What is a "Grand Jury"?
A group of 16 to 23 people charged with determining whether there is sufficient cause to believe that a person has committed a crime and should stand trial.
If you are "badgering the witness," what does that mean?
Being rude to a witness, often not allowing time to answer questions asked before asking another.
What is the name of a lawyer who goes to court?
Trial attorney, Trial lawyer, Litigator
What amendment protects against cruel and unusual punishment as well as excessive bail?
the Eighth Amendment
What is "a killing in which there is no intent to kill at all"?
Involuntary manslaughter
What is a situation when searches are reasonable and may be legally conducted without a warrant?
A search that is part of a lawful arrest is considered reasonable.
A police officer who reasonably thinks a person is behaving suspiciously can "stop & frisk"
If a person consents to the search or it is in plain view
At a border or airport. A car if the police believe it holds contraband
In hot pursuit or in emergency situations (hear someone in danger)
What is a possible ramification of being convicted of a crime and being released?
Difficulty finding a job, inability to vote, inability to use public housing or public food assistance, many others