| A | B |
|---|
| Common Law | law based on precedent |
| Civil Law | branch of law dealing with damages |
| Criminal Law | branch of law dealing with those who break the law |
| Attorney | person who studies the law |
| Grand Jury | group of ordinary citizens who investigate a crime |
| Judge | person who is appointed or elected to preside over a court of law |
| Jury | group of ordinary citizens who are selected to decide on the issues of a trial. |
| Justice | another name for a judge. |
| Prosecutor | Atorney who represents the people of the state in criminal proceedings |
| Jurisdiction | The right of court to hear a case |
| Appellate Jurisdiction | The right of court to hear an appeal of a case |
| Appeal | a request for a review of the fairness of a trial |
| Concurrent Jurisdiction | when two or more courts could have original jurisdiction over a case |
| Court | governmental body appointed by law to carry out judicial power |
| Evidence | all of the means by which fact or truth are established in a trial |
| Pardon | forgiving of all or part of the punishment |
| Parole | conditional release from jail |
| Sentence | penalty |
| Trial | process which is under the direction of a judge |
| Verdict | Opinion of a jury |
| Complaint | first step in a civil suit |
| Damages | amount of money awarded to the plaintiff |
| Defendant | the accused |
| Judgment | final determination of a court in a specific case |
| Plaintiff | party in a civil case who files the complaint |
| Judicial Review | Right of the judicial branch to examine laws and executive actions |
| Majority Opinion | Reason given for a Supreme Court decision agreed to by a majority of the court |
| Minority Opinion | Reason given for a Supreme Court decision agreed to by a minority of the court |
| Opinion | Reason for a Supreme Court Decision |
| Precedent | previously decided case which is used as a guide for a decision in a current case |
| Unconstitutional | any law or action which is prohibited by the Constitution |
