Legal Terms
This is the term for a written law passed by a legislative body.
What is a statute?
This is the name for the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
What is the Bill of Rights?
The person who decides the case in a bench trial.
Who is the judge?
This type of law deals with crimes and punishment.
What is criminal law?
This 1954 Supreme Court case ended racial segregation in schools.
What is Brown v. Board of Education?
A person who brings a case against another in a court of law.
What is a plaintiff?
The amendment that protects freedom of speech.
What is the First Amendment?
The group that decides the facts in a criminal trial.
What is a jury?
This type of law deals with disputes between private parties.
What is civil law?
This case gave us the right to be read legal warnings during arrest.
What is Miranda v. Arizona?
The principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty.
What is the presumption of innocence?
The branch of government that interprets laws.
What is the judicial branch?
A lawyer who represents someone accused of a crime.
What is a defense attorney?
These are minor offenses, like speeding or littering.
What are misdemeanors?
This landmark 1973 case legalized abortion nationwide and was later overturned.
What is Roe v. Wade?
This Latin phrase means "let the decision stand," referring to precedent.
What is stare decisis?
This amendment guarantees the right to remain silent.
What is the Fifth Amendment?
The standard of proof in a criminal case.
What is beyond a reasonable doubt?
This type of law governs relationships and divorce.
What is family law?
The 1803 case that established judicial review.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
A court order requiring someone to appear in court or produce evidence.
What is a subpoena?
This clause in the Constitution allows federal law to override state law.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
The initial court document that starts a lawsuit.
What is a complaint?
The area of law that involves injuries and negligence.
What is tort law?
The case where the Supreme Court ruled that suspects must be appointed an attorney if they can't afford one.
What is Gideon v. Wainwright?