politics final review ch11
Order by
33 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 plaintiff | the private person bringing a civil suit |
| misdemeanor | minor crimes such as most traffic violation, minors in possession, etc. |
| punitive damages | judgements in excess of actual damages intended to punish a defendant in a civil suit |
| probation | judge's sentence of an offender to serve outside a correctional institution but under specific restrictions and official supervision |
| probable cause | sufficient info. to convince a reasonably cautious person that a search or arrest is justified |
| writ of Habeas Corpus | court order requiring that a prisoner be presented in person and that legal cause be shown for imprisonment; also used in some civil cases |
| exclusionary rule | the requirement that illegally obtained evidence not be used against the accused; required of the states by the US supreme court as a result of Mapp vs. Ohio |
| defendant | A person against whom a suit is brought. |
| due process | the following of proper legal procedures. it is essential to guaranteeing fairness before the govt may deprive a person of life, liberty or porperty |
| parole | early release from prison under official supervision |
| acquitted | founded not guilty in a court law |
| indictment (true bill) | formal written accusation issued by a grand jury against a party charged with a crime when it had determined that there is sufficient evidence to bring the accused to trial |
| clemency | three types: pardon, commutation of sentence, reprieve |
| pardon | designed to absolve and individual from the legal consequences of his or her crime |
| commutation of sentence | reduction in punishment |
| reprieve | temporary interruption of punishment |
| Mapp vs. Ohio | supreme court held the exclusionary rule also to be essential to the due process of law that the 14th amendment requires states to respect |
| felony | a serious crime |
| tort | a private or civil jury or wrong other than a breach of contract |
| tort reform | efforts to limit liability in civil cases |
| mistrial | a trial not completed for legal reasons such as a hung jury, a new trial may be possible |
| convicted | guilty |
| no bill | a grand jury's refusal to approve an indictment filed by the prosecutor |
| warrant | written order by an official of a court directed to an officer search warrant and warrant of arrest |
| FBI index crimes | crimes used as a barometer of the crime rate (murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, burglary, grand theft) |
| Vior Dire | initial questioning of jurors to determine possible biases |
| personal recognizance | a defendant personal promise to appear; allowed instead of cash bail |
| grand jury | in Texas, 12 people who sit in pretrial proceedings to determine if sufficient evidence exists try an individual and therefore approve an indictment |
| white collar crimes | bribery, tax fraud business, embezzlement, incompetence and criminal acts by other government employees |
| bail | the security required for release of a suspect awaiting trial |
| deferred adjudication | postponement of final determination in criminal cases; after satisfactory completion of a probationary period, charges are dismissed |
| recidivism | criminal who commits another crime after having been incarcerated |
| petit jury | used in trial court to determine guilt or innocence |
First Time Here?
Welcome to Quizlet, a fun, free place to study. Try these flashcards, find others to study, or make your own.