| A | B |
|---|
| Constitution | Legal documents that explain the powers and limits of government and list the freedoms and rights of the people. |
| Statute | A law that is enacted by a legislative, or lawmaking body. |
| Common Law | Body of laws based on general customs and judges' decisions. |
| Precedent | Court decisions that are referred to when courts are making decisions in future similar cases. |
| Criminal Law | Laws that define crimes and spell out punishments of fines or imprisonment for violators. |
| Civil Law | Laws that deal with issues not covered by criminal law, including marriage, divorce, business contracts, civil rights, and housing. |
| Ratified | Approved |
| Amendments | Changes |
| Federal Supremacy | Federal law is a higher authority than state laws. |
| Separation of Powers | Prevents any branch from having too much authority. |
| Clemency | Mercy |
| Pardons | To free from punishment in Federal criminal cases. |
| Impeach | Accuse or remove from office. |
| Checks and Balances | A system set up that gives each branch of government ways to influence what the other branches do, so that no branch becomes too powerful. |
| Full Faith and Credit Clause | A clause of U.S. Constitution that requires states to honor each other's laws, records, and court decisions. |
| Jurisdiction | Authority to hear and decide cases. |
| Exclusive Jurisdiction | Cases that can be heard in only one type of court. |
| Concurrent Jurisdiction | Cases that can be heard in either federal or state courts. |
| Original Jurisdiction | Courts that hear a case first. |
| Appellate Jurisdiction | Courts that hear a case on appeal from a lower court. |
| Opinion | An explanation of the legal issues in a case and the precedent on which the opinion is based. |
| Majority Opinion | An explanation of a ruling. |
| Dissenting Opinion | A minority opinion that may be presented if the decision is not unanimous. |
| Concurring Opinion | Judge agree's with the ruling, but for a different reason. |
| Docket | List |
| Briefs | Written arguments |
| Judicial Review | A Supreme Court power which allows them to rule on whether a statute or other act of federal or state government conflicts with the U.S. Constitution. |
| Unconstitutional | An act of government that goes against the Constitution. |
