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Judic. Branch Vocab
Judicial Branch Vocabulary Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Arrest | to hold or seize under the authority of law |
| Accused | someone who is charged with a crime in a court of law |
| Appeal | to ask a higher court to review an earlier decision |
| Appellate | the authority to hear an appeal of a decision of another court |
| Arraignment | a hearing in which a suspect is charged with a crime and pleads guilty or not guilty |
| Bail | money paid to the court by an accussed person to guarantee that they will show up for the trial |
| Circuit Court | court of appeals in the federal court system |
| Civil Case | cases dealing with disputes between individuals; usually involving property or money |
| Compensation | something received as an equivalent for debt, loss, or injury |
| Criminal Law | the group of laws that tell which acts are crimes, how the accused person should be tried in court, and how crimes should be punished. |
| Defendant | a person who is accused of a crime or being sued |
| District Court | the trial courts in the federal system |
| Due Process | a process by which the government must treat accused persons fairly according to rules established by law. |
| Felony | a serious crime such as robbery or murder |
| Indictment | A formal charge issued by a grand jury that names the suspect and states the charges against the suspect. |
| Judicial Review | the Supreme Court’s power to overturn any law or executive action that it decides is in conflict with the Constitution. |
| Jurisdiction | the right to hear a case |
| Juvenile | a person under the age of 18 |
| Misdemeanor | a relatively minor crime such as shoplifting |
| Plaintiff | person or group that files a lawsuit in a civil case |
| Plea | statement by the accused stating whether they are guilty or not guilty |
| Probable Cause | reasonable belief that a crime has been committed |
| Prosecution | a government body that brings a charge against the accused in criminal law |
| Verdict | the decision of a judge or jury |
| Warrant | A legal document issued by a court, giving police permission to make an arrest, seizure, or a search. |