A felony punishable by death or life imprisonment without parole.

Law governing disputes between private individuals or entities; focuses on compensation, not punishment.

A state where only written statutes create crimes; if it’s not in the code, it’s not a crime.

Crimes developed through judicial decisions and tradition rather than written statutes.

States that recognize common law crimes when no statute exists.

An act or omission prohibited by law and punishable by the government.

Rules governing how the criminal justice process operates (arrest, search, trial, sentencing, appeals).

The individual or entity formally accused of committing a crime.

Constitutional rule (5th Amendment) that prohibits being tried twice for the same offense in the same jurisdiction.

Doctrine allowing state and federal governments to prosecute the same act because they are separate jurisdictions.

federal criminal code

The body of federal statutes defining crimes against the United States.

A serious crime punishable by death or imprisonment for more than one year.

A more serious misdemeanor, typically punishable by up to 1 year in jail.

Serious crimes historically involving dishonor or severe punishment; today often includes felonies.

Minor offenses punishable only by fines (e.g., traffic tickets).

Interstate Commerce Clause

A constitutional clause allowing Congress to regulate interstate commerce; used as a basis for many federal criminal laws.

Crimes considered inherently evil or morally wrong (e.g., murder, rape).

Acts criminal only because the law prohibits them (e.g., speeding, licensing violations).

A less serious crime punishable by up to one year in jail.

A model set of criminal laws created to help states standardize and modernize their criminal codes.

A minor misdemeanor, often punishable by less than 6 months in jail or only a fine.

A state’s authority to enact laws protecting health, safety, welfare, and morals.

Federal law overrides (preempts) conflicting state laws under the Supremacy Clause.

State laws adopting the English common law as the foundation of American law when not replaced by statute.

substantive criminal law

The part of criminal law defining crimes and punishments.

The constitutional rule that federal law is the supreme law of the land and overrides conflicting state laws.

A private wrong or civil injury that can lead to compensation in civil court.

A minor offense punishable only by fines; similar to an infraction.

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Legal Terms

law class vocab

Term	Definition
capital felony	A felony punishable by death or life imprisonment without parole.
civil law	Law governing disputes between private individuals or entities; focuses on compensation, not punishment.
code jurisdiction	A state where only written statutes create crimes; if it’s not in the code, it’s not a crime.
common law crimes	Crimes developed through judicial decisions and tradition rather than written statutes.
common law states	States that recognize common law crimes when no statute exists.
Crime	An act or omission prohibited by law and punishable by the government.
criminal procedure	Rules governing how the criminal justice process operates (arrest, search, trial, sentencing, appeals).
Defendant	The individual or entity formally accused of committing a crime.
double jeopardy	Constitutional rule (5th Amendment) that prohibits being tried twice for the same offense in the same jurisdiction.
dual sovereignty	Doctrine allowing state and federal governments to prosecute the same act because they are separate jurisdictions.
federal criminal code	The body of federal statutes defining crimes against the United States.
Felony	A serious crime punishable by death or imprisonment for more than one year.
gross misdemeanor	A more serious misdemeanor, typically punishable by up to 1 year in jail.
infamous crimes	Serious crimes historically involving dishonor or severe punishment; today often includes felonies.
Infractions	Minor offenses punishable only by fines (e.g., traffic tickets).
Interstate Commerce Clause	A constitutional clause allowing Congress to regulate interstate commerce; used as a basis for many federal criminal laws.
mala in se	Crimes considered inherently evil or morally wrong (e.g., murder, rape).
mala prohibita	Acts criminal only because the law prohibits them (e.g., speeding, licensing violations).
Misdemeanor	A less serious crime punishable by up to one year in jail.
Model Penal Code	A model set of criminal laws created to help states standardize and modernize their criminal codes.
petty misdemeanor	A minor misdemeanor, often punishable by less than 6 months in jail or only a fine.
police power	A state’s authority to enact laws protecting health, safety, welfare, and morals.
preemption doctrine	Federal law overrides (preempts) conflicting state laws under the Supremacy Clause.
reception statutes	State laws adopting the English common law as the foundation of American law when not replaced by statute.
substantive criminal law	The part of criminal law defining crimes and punishments.
Supremacy Clause	The constitutional rule that federal law is the supreme law of the land and overrides conflicting state laws.
Tort	A private wrong or civil injury that can lead to compensation in civil court.
Violation	A minor offense punishable only by fines; similar to an infraction.

Created by: Annamari

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