Term | Definition |
common law | a law system based on precedent and customs |
precedent | a geographic area that contains a specific number of voters |
statute | law written by judicial 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 robery |
misdemeanor | a minor offence such as vandalism |
larceny | the unlawful taking away of another persons property with intent to never 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 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 a persons 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 a case |
writ of habeas corpus | a court order that requires the police to bring back the person for there trial |
bill of attainder | law that punishes a person with out a trial or fair hearing |
ex post facto law | a law that allows a person to be punished for an action that would allow a person to be charged with a crime that's not against the law when it was committed |
due process of law | procedures established by law and guaranteed by the constitution |
search warrant | a court order allowing law enforcement officers to search you and your possessions for a specific item |
double jeopardy | putting someone on trial for a previous acquitted crime |
grand jury | group of people that decides weather or not there is sufficient evidence to convict a person |
plea bargaining | negotiation between the defense attorney and the proecutor |
bail | sum of money used as a security deposit to ensure that an accused person comes back for there trial |