1.
American bar association: an intrest group that influences licensing and training of doctors and lawyers
2.
An appeal decision (Criminals sometimes to not get a chance for appeal): What must a judge grant in order for a person to move from the district courts to the appellate courts?
3.
appellate jurisdiction: authority held by a court to hear a case that is appealed from a lower court
4.
brief: a written statement setting forth the legal arguments, relevant facts, and precedents supporting one side of the case
5.
concurrent jurisdiction: authority shared by both federal and state courts
6.
defendant: the person against whom a civil or criminal suit is brought in court
7.
District courts, appellate courts, state supreme courts: What are the three levels of state courts in order from least powerful to most?
8.
District courts, appellate courts, U.S. supreme courts: What are the three levels of federal courts in order from least powerful to most?
9.
due process clause: 14th amendment clause stating that no state may deprive a person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law
10.
due process law: principle of the 15th amendment stating that the government must follow proper constitutional procedures in trials and other actions it takes againts individuals
11.
Federal: What kind of crime is driving drunk?
12.
Federal: What kind of crime is commited on an ocean?
13.
Federal: What type of crime is a state vs. a state conflict?
14.
Federal Courts: Hear cases involving federal laws and crimes. Also hear cases involving issues with the U.S. Constitution
15.
Federal/State (Concurrent Jurisdiction): What kind of crime is driving drunk not wearing a seatbelt?
16.
grand jury: a group that hears charges against a suspect and decides wheter there is sufficent evidence to bring the person to trial
17.
indictment: a formal charge by a grand jury
18.
jury: a group of citizens who hear evidence during a trial and give a verdict
19.
litigant: a person engaged in a lawsuit
20.
opinion: a written explanation of a supreme court decision
21.
Original Jurisdiction: What kind of jurisdiction do district courts have?
22.
original jurisdiction: the authority of a trial court to be first to hear a case
23.
pardon: a release from legal punishment
24.
parole: means by which a prisoner is allowed to serve the rest of a sentence in the community under the supervision of a parole officer
25.
perjury: lying under oath
26.
plaintiff: person who brings charges in court
27.
riding the circuit: traveling to hold court in a justice's assigned region of a country
28.
State: What kind of crime is not wearing a seatbelt?
29.
State: What kind of crime is murder?
30.
State Courts: Hear cases involving state crimes and state laws. Also hear cases challenging the state Constitutions
31.
State Supreme Court: What is the highest you can go in the state courts?
32.
U.S. Supreme Court: What is the highest level in the federal courts?
