Chapter 15 & 16
About this set
Created by:
2016mfjohnson on March 21, 2012
Log in to favorite or report as inappropriate.
Order by
31 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 plea bargain | negotiation between the defense attorney and the prosecutor |
| plaintiff | person filing lawsuit |
| defendant | person being charged |
| felony | a serious crime |
| misdemeanor | a minor offense |
| larceny | taking property without returning |
| robbery | taking property using FORCE or THREAT |
| burglary | unlawful entering into any dwelling or structure |
| 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 party has the right to sue |
| libel | written untruths that are harmful to someone's reputation |
| constitutional law | branch of law dealing with formatio, construction and interpretation of the constitution |
| complaint | a formal notice a lawsuit is being brought |
| summons | a notice directing someone to appear in court to answer a complaint or charge |
| discovery | process by which attorneys have opportunity to check facts and gather evidence |
| settlement | in a legal case, the amount of money the defendant agrees to pay the plaintiff |
| prosecution | party who starts the legal proceedings against another party for a violation of the law |
| crime | an act that breaks a law and causes harm to society or people in general |
| penal code | a state's written criminal laws |
| parole | to grant a prisoner of forgiveness and freedom from punishment |
| mandatory sentencing | punishment that judges must impose according to what the law directs |
| arrangement | a hearing in which a suspect is charged and pleads guilty or not guilty |
| testimony | the statement a witness makes under oath |
| cross examine | to question a witness at a trial or hearing check or discredit the testimony |
| acquittal | a vote of not guilty |
| hung jury | a jury that cant agree on a verdict |
| stare decisis | Let the decision stand; decisions are based on precedents from previous 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 |
| bills of attainder | laws that punish a person without a jury trial (NOT ALLOWED) |
| ex-post facto laws | A law which punishes people for a crime that was not a crime when it was committed. Congress cannot pass these laws. |
| due process of law | denies the government the right, without due process, to deprive people of life, liberty, and property |
First Time Here?
Welcome to Quizlet, a fun, free place to study. Try these flashcards, find others to study, or make your own.