| A | B |
|---|
| jurisdiction | The power and authority given to a court to hear a case and to make a judgment. |
| diversity of citizenship | Cases that involve citizens of different states in in which the amount of money in dispute exceeds $75,000. |
| admiralty cases | (also referred to as maritime law) is a distinct body of law which governs maritime questions and offenses. It is a body of both domestic law governing maritime activities, and private international law governing the relationships between private entities which operate vessels on the oceans. |
| original jurisdiction | Authority of a court to try a case the first time it is heard. |
| appellate courts/intermediate courts | The United States courts of appeals. |
| appellate jurisdiction | Courts between lower courts and the highest court. |
| special courts | Courts established by the U. S. Congress that have jurisdiction in certain kinds of cases, including suits brought by citizens against the federal government, disagreements over taxes on imported good, and disputes between taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service. |
| limited jurisdiction | Courts that handle minor matters, such as misdemeanors and civil actions involving small amounts of money. |
| general jurisdiction | Courts which can be called county court,s uperior court, court of common pleas, or circuit court, handle criminal and civial cases. |
| domestic relations | Courts that handle family or domestic relations court to handle divorce, annulment, and dissolution proceedings. |
| juvenile courts | Courts that have special jurisdiction over delinquent, unruly, abused, or neglected children up to a certain age. |
| delinquent child | A minor under a certain age (generally 16-18) who has committed an adult crime. |
| unruly child | A minor who has done something inappropriate that is not considered an adult crime, such as violating curfew, skipping school, or using tobacco. |
| neglected or abused child | A child who is homeless, destitute, or without adequate parental care. |
| mediation | When the parties to a dispute invite a 3rd party into the decison-making process to help them find a solution. |
| arbitration | happens when the parties actually transfer the power to settle thier dispute to a 3rd party. |
| pleadings | the formal papers filed with the court by the plaintiff and defendant. |
| complaint | papers that express the plaintiff's allegations, or claims. |
| answer | the defendant's response to the allegations. |
| methods of discovery | employed to bring facts out before trial |
| pre-trial hearing | a hearing that is an informal meeting before a judge. |
| documentary items | written contracts, sales slips, letters, or affidavits |
| affidavits | sworn statements |
| subpoena | an order to appear |
| verdict | decision |
| judgment | the courts determination or decision in the case. |
| specific performance | the plaintiff may want the defendant to do what he or she promised in a contract. |
| remedy | the payment of damages or an equitable remedy |
| injunction | an order to stop the defendant from performing an action. |
| arrest | a person is deprived of his or her freedom |
| Miranda warnings | require that people be told what crimes they are being arrested for and the names of the police officers making the arrest. |
| limited search (frisk) | search must be limited to the area of the warrant |
| bail | money or property that is left with the court to assure that a person who has been arrested, and will return for trial |
| plain-view exception | police may seize items that are in plain view |
| grand jury | the jury of inquiry made up of citizens who must decide whether there is enough evidence to justify accusing certain person |
| petit jury | decides on the guilt or innocense of the person on trial |
| indictment | written accusation charging the individual |
| arraignment | the suspect is read the indictment or information and asked to plead guilty or not guilty. |
| mistrial | if the jury cannot agree on a verdict |
| fine | payment or money as a penalty for committing a crime. |
| indefinite sentence | ordering a minimum or maximum amount of time the convict may spend in prison. |
| definite sentence | state the exact period of time a criminal will spend in prison. |
| detention hearing | to learn whether there are good reasons to keep the accused in custody (juvenile court) |
| adjudicatory hearing | informal, actual hearing of the case |
| dispositional hearing | the 3rd hearing, the judge decides the outcome of the case |
