| A | B |
|---|
| Bill of Rights | first ten amendments to the United States Constitution |
| Civil Law | relates to disputes among two or more individuals or between an individual and the government |
| Clear and Present Danger | interpretation of the Supreme Court to determine limits on freedom of speech |
| Common Law | law made by judges in the process of resolving individual cases |
| Constitutional Law | law that involves the interpretation and application of the U.S. or state constitutions |
| Contract Law | a civil law that regulates a written agreement between two or more individuals |
| Criminal Law | one that defines crimes and provides for their punishment |
| Defendant | the person against whom a civil or criminal suit is brought in court |
| Due Process | procedures the government must follow in trials and other actions it takes against individuals |
| Equal Protection | guarantee in the Fourteenth amendment that all U.S. citizens will be treated the same under the law |
| Felony | a major crime |
| Fourteenth Amendment | guarantees all U.S. citizens equal protection under the law |
| Grand Jury | group that hears charges against a suspect and decides whether there is sufficient evidence to bring the person to trial |
| Habeaus Corpus | an order requiring a prisoner be brought to court at a certain date and time; protects people from illegal imprisonment |
| Indictment | a formal charge by a grand jury |
| Libel | false written statements intended to damage a person's reputation |
| Misdemeanor | a minor crime |
| Negligence | failure to use care in such a way as to cause injury to someone |
| Out of Court Settlement | a way of resolving legal conflicts in which two parties are able to deal with their problem before it goes to court |
| Petit Jury | a trial jury that weighs the evidence presented at a trial and renders a verdict |
| Plaintiff | person who brings charges in court |
| Plea Bargain | an agreement in which the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser crime than the one with which the defendant was originally charged |
| Precedent | an action which is used as a guideline for future actions |
| Prior Restraint | government censorship of information before it is published or broadcast |
| Probable Cause | a reasonable basis to believe a person or premises is linked to a crime |
| Reasonable Doubt | the belief that in trial there exists a definite possibility the defendant did not commit the crime |
| Slander | false speech intended to damage a person's reputation |
| Statutory Law | a law that is written down so everyone might know and understand it |
| Subpoena | a legal order that a person must appear in court or produce requested documents |
| Tort | a wrongful act, other than a breach of contract, for which an injured party has the right to sue |
| Immigration | the process of moving from one country to another with the intent of establishing citizenship in the new country |
| Selective Incorporation | extending most of the Bill of Rights to the states |
