Term | Definition |
Constitutional Law | Law Based on the U.S. Constitution and the constitutions of the various states |
Statutory Law | The body of law enacted by legislative bodies |
Administrative Law | the rules, orders and decisions of regulatory agencies (federal, state, local government agency) |
Case Law | The rule of laws announced in court decisions |
Civil Law | the branch of law dealing with the definition and enforcement of all private or public rights, instead of criminal matters |
Beyond a reasonable doubt | the degree of proof required to find a defendant guilty in a criminal trial for committing a crime |
Preponderance of the evidence | In a civil case, the degree of proof required to decide in favor of one side or another |
Felonies | a serious crime usually punishable by death or imprisonment for a year or longer |
Misdemeanor | a criminal offense that is not a felony; usually punishable by a fine and/or jail term of less than one year |
Corpus Delicti | The body of circumstance that must exist for a criminal act to have occurred |
Actus Reus | A guilt act |
Mens Rea | Mental state, or intent |
How long has criminal activity been around and where is it a primary concern | It has undoubtedly been with us since the dawn of history, and criminal control has long been a primary concern of politicians and government leaders worldwide |
In the 1960's and 1970's, what did we see? | A burgeoning concern for the rights of ethnic and racial minorities, women, and people with disabilities, and many other groups |
By the mid 1980's we saw? | Individual rights was accompanied by a dramatic increase in the sale and use of illicit drugs threaten the foundation of American society |
USA PATRIOT ACT | Enacted in 2001 as a legislative response to terrorism, the law whose provisions were reauthorized by Congress with minor revisions in 2006 |
What does the PATRIOT ACT stand for | Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 |
criminal conduct | a criminal act triggered by acriminal intent |
Justification Defenses | defendants admit they were responsible for their acts, but claim, that under circumstances, what they did was right |
Perfect Defense | defenses in which defendants are acquitted if they're successful |
Subpoena | A legal order requiring an individual to appear in court |
Witness | Anyone who testifies before a court |
Jury | A group of citizens selected to hear evidence in court |
Arraigment | When someone accused of a crime is brought to court to hear the charges and to plead guilty or not guilty |
Ordiance | A written law for a town or city |
What is NOT a goal of the criminal justice system | Making Money |