4D Vocab Flashcards
Judicial review
The power of a court to review laws or government regulations to determine whether they are consistent with the U.S. Constitution or, in a state court, the state constitution
Adversary system
A judicial system in which the court of law is a neutral arena where two parties argue their differences
Criminal law
A law that defines crimes against the public order
Civil law
A law that governs relationships between individuals and defines their legal rights
Prosecutor
Government lawyer who tries criminal cases, often referred to as a district attorney or a U.S. Attorney
Defendant
In a criminal action, the person or party accused of an offense
Plea bargain
Agreement between a prosecutor and a defendant that the defendant will plead guilty to a lesser offense to avoid having to stand trial for a more serious offense
Justiciable dispute
A dispute growing out of an actual case or controversy and that is capable of settlement by legal methods
Plaintiff
The party instigating a civil lawsuit
US Attorney General
The chief law enforcement officer in the U.S. and the head of the Department of Justice
Solicitor general
The third ranking official in the Department of Justice who is responsible for representing the U.S. in cases before the U.S. Supreme Court
Public defender system
Arrangement whereby public officials are hired to provide legal assistance to people accused of crimes who are unable to hire their own attorneys
District courts
Courts in which criminal and civil cases are originally tried in the federal judicial system
Circuit court of appeals
A court with appellate jurisdiction that hears appeals from the decisions of lower courts
Supreme Court
The court of last resort in the U.S. It can hear appeals from federal circuit courts or state high courts
