click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Ch. 15
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Common Law | A system of law based on precedence and customs. |
Precedent | A ruling that is used as the basis for a judicial decision in a later, similar case. |
Statute | 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 person's property with the intent never to return it. |
Robbery | The taking of property from a person's 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. |
Tort | Wrongful acts for which an injured party has the right to sue. |
Libel | Written untruths that are harmful to someone's 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 fro deciding cases. |
Writ of Habeas Corpus | A court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person. |
Bill of Attainder | A law that punishes a person accused of a crime 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 actin that was not against the law when it was committed. |
Search Warrant | A court order allowing law enforcement officers to search a suspect's 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 trail. |