| A | B |
|---|
| federal system | The sharing of power between the central and state governments |
| reserved powers | Powers that the Constitution does not give to the national government and that are kept by the states |
| concurrent powers | Powers shared by the state and federal governments |
| function | To serve a purpose |
| supremacy clause | The clause in Article VI of the Constitution that makes federal laws prevail over state laws when there is a conflict |
| grants-in-aid | Money awarded to the states by the federal government |
| violate | To fail to keep or to break, as a law |
| unicameral | Having a one-house legislature |
| minimum | Having the least quantity possible |
| redistricting | The process of redrawing legislative districts |
| malapportionment | Unequal representation in state legislatures |
| session | A meeting of a legislative or judicial body to conduct business |
| special session | A legislative meeting called for a specific purpose |
| legislative referendum | A vote called by a legislature to seek voter approval of a law |
| popular referendum | A question placed on a ballot by a citizen petition to decide if a law should be repealed |
| rely | To depend on something or someone |
| line-item veto | To veto only a specific part of a bill |
| specific | Clearly specified, precise, or explicit |
| commute | To reduce a criminal's sentence |
| parole | To grant a prisoner an early release from prison, with certain restrictions |
| complex | Complicated or intricate |
| trial court | Type of court in which a judge or a jury listens to the evidence and reaches a verdict, or decision, in favor of one party or another in the case |
| misdemeanor | The least serious type of crime |
| civil case | Court case in which one party in a dispute claims to have been harmed in some way by the other |
| plaintiff | The person in a civil case who claims to have been harmed |
| defendant | The person in a civil case who is said to have caused the harm |
| appellate court | Type of court in which a party who lost a case in a lower court asks judges to review that decision and reverse it |
| felony | Type of crime more serious than a misdemeanor |
| bias | Good or bad feelings about a person or group that affects judgement |
