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chapter 15
content vocalbulary
Term | Definition |
---|---|
common law | a system of law based on precedent and custom |
precedent | a ruling that is used as the basis for a judicial decision in a later similar casel |
statute | a law written by a legislative 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 robbery |
misdemeanor | a relatively minor offence such as vandalism or stealing inexpencive items |
larceny | the unlawful taking away of anothers property with the intent to never return it |
robbery | the taking of property from another persons possession bu using threats or force |
lawsuit | a legal action in which a person or group sues to collect damages for some harm that is done |
tort | wrongful acts for which an injured person has the right to sue |
libel | written untruths that are harmful to anothers reputation |
constitutional law | branch of law dealing with formation construction and interpretation of constitution |
stare decisis | the practice of using earlier judicial rulings as a basis for deciding cases |
writ of habeas corpus | a court order that requires the police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person |
bill of attainder | a law that punishes a person accused of a crime before a trial or a fair hearing |
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 law and guaranteed by the constitution |
search warrant | a court order allowing law enforcement to search a suspects home or business and take specific items as evidence |
double jeopardy | putting someone on trial for a crime he or she was previously acquitted |
grand jury | a group of citizens that decides weather or not there is enough evidence to accuse someone of a crime |
plea bargaining | negotiation between the defense attorney and the prosecuter |
bail | sum of money used as a security deposit to ensure that an accused person returns for his or her trial |
burglary | unlawful entry into any dwelling or structure |