Ch. 12 Vocabulary
What are robberies, manslaughter, and other serious crimes referred to as?
Felonies
a past court decision that serves as a rule or example for deciding future cases with similar facts or legal questions
precedent
The federal court system consists of how many levels?
3
This type of law is also called judge-made law, is a body of law based on judicial rulings in earlier cases
What is the appropriate name for the death penalty?
capital punishment
What are crimes such as petty theft, simple assault, and disorderly conduct referred to as?
Misdemeanors
expresses disagreement with the majority's decision in a legal case, providing alternative legal reasoning or highlighting concerns about the ruling's implications
dissenting opinion
These people think that interpretation of laws and the Constitution should be limited to the words those documents contain
strict constructioninsts
This type of law consists of laws passed by city councils, state legislatures, & Congress—the lawmaking bodies of local, state, & national government
statutory law
How many states use capital punishment?
27
The party bringing the lawsuit
Plaintiff
Disapproves of most or some of an opinion’s grounds, but approves of its majority outcome
concurring opinion
What case established the principle of "judicial review"?
Marbury v. Madison
Law that has supreme standing over all other types of law
constitutional law
right to trial by jury
If paid, enables accused persons to be temporarily freed from jail while awaiting trial
Bail
Papers filed with the Court by groups that are affected by a case but are not parties involved in it
amicus curiae briefs
List the "lower courts"
district courts & court of appeals
Law that includes both the regulations made by executive departments & independent agencies & the laws that govern their actions
administrative law
Early release from prison is referred to as ___.
parole
A formal, written accusation issued by a grand jury, which charges a person with a crime, typically a serious felony
Indictment
a formal court order from a higher court, usually the U.S. Supreme Court, to a lower court, compelling the lower court to send up its case records for review
writ of certiorari
Who was the first Supreme Court justice?
John Jay
This type of law involves disputes in which one private party brings a lawsuit against another for causing some type of harm
civil law
What is the time constraint that determines whether or not you go to jail or prison?
1 year - less than a year goes to jail & a year or more goes to prison