a serious crime such as murder or rape, kidnapping or robbery
What is a 'felony'?
100
admission or charge of committing a crime
What is 'guilty'?
100
following established legal procedures
What is 'due process'?
100
a defendant's answer to charges
What is a 'plea'?
200
minor offense such as vandalism or stealing inexpensive items
What is a 'misdemeanor'?
200
a formal notice that a lawsuit is being brought
What is a 'complaint'?
200
in agreement with the constitution
What is 'constitutional'?
200
courts where trials are held and lawsuits begun
What is 'district court'?
200
cases in which only federal courts have jurisdiction
What is 'exclusive jurisdiction'?
300
A lawyer for the state who tries a case before the courts
What is a 'prosecutor'?
300
an act that breaks a law and causes harm to society in general
What is 'crime'?
300
individual or group being sued or charged with a crime
What is a 'defendant'?
300
person or party filing a lawsuit
What is the 'plaintiff'?
300
decision reached by a jury (or judge) after hearing a case
What is 'verdict'?
400
group of 12 to 23 persons convened by a court to decide whether or not there is enough evidence to justify bringing someone to trial
What is 'grand jury'?
400
ruling used as a basis for a decision in other similar cases
What is 'precedent'?
400
detailed explanation of the legal thinking behind a court's decision in a case
What is 'court opinion'?
400
accusation by a grand jury; formal finding that there is enough evidence to bring someone to trial for a crime
What is 'indictment'?
400
power of the Supreme Court to say whether any law or government action goes against the Constitution
What is 'judicial review'?
500
order by a higher court for a lower court to send up the record of the original decision for review
What is 'Writ of Certiorari'?
500
notice directing someone to appear in court to answer a complaint or charge (also known as a subpoena)
What is 'summons'?
500
hearing in which a suspect is charged and pleads guilty or not guilty
What is 'arraignment'?
500
court order that a prisoner be brought before the court to be shown why they should not be released; designed to prevent illegal arrests and unlawful imprisonments