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chap. 15
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Common law | A system of law based on precedent and customs |
| Precedent | A ruling that is used as the basis for a judicial decision in a later, similar case |
| Statue | A law written by a legislative branch |
| Plaintiff | A person or party filing a lawsuit |
| Defendant | An individual or group being sued or charged with a crime |
| Felony | A serious crime such as murder, rape, kidnapping, or robbery |
| Misdemeanor | A relatively minor offense such as vandalism or stealing inexpensive items |
| Larceny | The unlawful taking away of another persons property with the intent never to return it |
| Robbery | The taking of property from a persons possession by using force or threats |
| Burglary | Unlawful entry into any dwelling or structure |
| Lawsuit | A legal action in which a person or group sues to collect damages for some harm that is done |
| Torts | Wrongful acts for which injured party has the right to sue |
| Libel | Written untruths that are harmful to someones reputation |
| Constitutional law | Branch of law dealing with formation, construction, and interpretation of constitutions |
| Stare decisis | The practice of using earlier judicial rulings as a basis for deciding cases |
| Writ of habeas corpus | A court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to county to explain why they are holding the person |
| Bill of attainder | A law that punishes a person accused of a come without a trial or a fair hearing in court |
| Ex post facto law | A law that would allow a person to be punished for an action that was not against the law when it was committed |
| Due process of law | Procedures established legal procedures |
| Search warrant | A court order allowing law enforcement officers to search a suspects home or business and take specific items as evidence |
| Double jeopardy | Putting someone on trial for a crime of which he or she was previously acquitted |
| Grand jury | A group of citizens that decides whether there is sufficient evidence to accuse someone of a crime |
| Plea bargaining | Negotiation between the defense attorney and the prosecutor |
| Bail | A sum of money used as a security deposit to ensure that an accused person returns for his or her trial |