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Judicial System
Civics (Unit 8)
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| 5th amendment | protection against unfair national government. (national due process) |
| 14th amendment | protection against unfair state government. (state due process) |
| Appeal | asking a higher court to review the decision of a lower court. |
| Appellate jurisdiction | authority to hear a case on review. |
| Arraignment | step in a criminal case where a plea is entered. |
| Arrest | taken into police custody. |
| Attorney | lawyer |
| Bail | money or property set aside for a defendant to await trial from home. |
| Civil case | dispute between two parties over property or money. |
| Complaint | formal notice of a lawsuit. |
| Criminal case | action taken to bring accused person to justice. |
| Defendant | person accused of a crime or being sued. |
| Due process | protection against unfair government. |
| Felony | serious crime |
| Judicial review | power of the Supreme Court to see if laws and acts are in agreement with the Constitution |
| Jurisdiction | the authority to hear a case. |
| Jury | members of a court case who hear evidence and render a verdict. |
| Juvenile | persons under the age of 18. |
| Magistrate | court official who sets bail, issues warrants, subpoenas, and summonses. |
| Misdemeanor | less serious crime. |
| Original jurisdiction | authority to hear a case for the first time. |
| Plaintiff | party in a civil case that files a complaint. |
| Plea | an answer to charges in a criminal case. |
| Preliminary hearing | step in a criminal case where a judge decides to send defendant to jail or sets bail. |
| Probable cause | reasonable belief a crime has been committed. |
| Trial | formal review of evidence. |
| Unconstitutional | not in agreement with the Constitution. |
| Verdict | decision in a court case. |