Judicial Branch Unit 5 Vocab

The idea that no one is above the law.

A court that hears cases about crimes such as burgulary, murder, or DUI.

A court that hears cases in which one person or group thinks another person or group should pay for causing harm.

The authority of a trial court to be the first to hear a case.

A trial system that is a contest between opposing sides.

A trial system in which the judge plays an active role in gathering evidence.

An attorney that works for the state and defends people who cannot afford a private attorney.

When the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser crime than the original crime, the government agrees not to prosecute the defendant for the more serious crime.

A group that hears charges against a suspect and decides whether there is sufficient evidence to bring the person to trial.

A mistake by a judge as to the appropriate law in a case.

The decision of the court.

A document issued by judges who disagree with the majority opinion.

A document issued by judges who agree with the majority opinion but for different reasons than those used to support the majority opinion.

A latin term meaning " let the decision stand " ; refers to the principle that courts should follow precedent.

A federal law; A law written by a legislative branch.

Courts are able to hear a wide variety of cases that deal with state or local law, the state constitution, or federal law or the federal constitution.

Courts that generally hear cases that raise questions about a federal law or the federal constitution.

The divisions under the united states federal courts system, grouped into 12 regional circuits, each of which has a federal court of appeals.

Similar to criminal trials but consists of judges and attorneys drawn from legal officers of the military branch in which the violation occured.

A court that hears criminal and civil cases operating within the tribal justice system.

A ruling on a law that has not yet been challenged in court.

An unwritten rule stating that if 4 of the 9 justices agree to hear a case, it will be scheduled for argument.

A lawsuit occurring at the appeals level of the court system.

The philosophy that courts should generally avoid overturning laws passed or actions taken by democratically elected bodies.

A reasonable basis to believe a person or premisis is linked to a crime.

A rule that forbids the introduction of illegally obtained evidence in a criminal trial.

Judicial deliverance from a criminal charge on a verdict or finding of not guilty.

Laws that give a person 25 years to life for being convicted of a serious offense for the third time.

Execution of an offender sentenced to death after conviction by a court of law of a criminal offense.