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 |
statute | a law written by a legislative branch |
plaintiff | a person or party filing 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 stealing inexpensive items |
larceny | the unlawful taking away from another persons property with the intent of never returning it |
robbery | the taking of the property from a person's position by using force or threats |
burglary | unlawful entry into any dwelling or structure |
lawsuit | a legal action to were a person or group sues to collect damages for some harm that is done |
tort | wrongful acts fr wich 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 for 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 attinder | 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 action that was not against the law when it was committed |
due process of law | procedures established by laws and guaranteed by the constitution |
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 bargainning | negotiation between the defense attorney and the prosecutor |
bail | a sum of money used as the security deposit to ensure that an accused person returns for his or her trial |