Vocab
A person who is accused of a crime.
What is a defendant?
You were actually crazy the whole time and didn't know what you were doing when you committed the crime.
What is insanity?
In 1966, a man was arrested in Arizona and was not informed of his rights while being arrested. After the Supreme Court sided with him in his court case, cops became required to read this off to anyone being arrested.
What are the Miranda Rights/Warning?
The purposeful killing of another person.
What is murder?
The government official that brings the case against the defendant.
You were in imminent danger and had no choice but to use force against someone.
What is self-defense?
In 1989, Gregory Lee Johnson was arrested in Texas for the public burning of the American flag. When his case was eventually brought to the Supreme Court, it was mostly focused on this amendment.
What is the first amendment?
Stealing goods from a store.
What is shoplifting?
An offense committed against the public good or society.
What is a crime?
You did something illegal in order to protect someone close to you.
What is defense of family members?
In Gideon v. Wainwright, the Supreme Court decided that if the defendant was unable to obtain before a trial, the state was required to get them one.
What is a lawyer/attorney?
Placing a false signature on a check or other document to imitate someone else.
What is forgery?
A less serious crime that could be punished by a fine or jail time.
What is a misdemeanor?
When it comes the crimes like murder, it depends on if the defendant meant to commit the crime or not, or if they had:
What is intent?
In 1974, the Supreme Court sided with the United States and stated presidents could be convicted after this notorious president refused to hand over evidence involving the Watergate Scandal.
Who is Richard Nixon?
The unlawful touching of another person.
What is battery?
A less serious crime that is usually punishable by a fine, but not jail time, such as a speeding ticket.
What is an infraction?
You committed the crime but only because the law made or tricked you.
What is entrapment?
The 1973 Supreme Court case which allowed abortion as a "right to privacy", but was overturned in 2022.
What is Roe v. Wade?
The wrongful taking of property by someone lawfully entrusted with possession and control of that property.
What is embezzlement?