B LAW FINAL EXAM REVIEW Flashcards
Administrative law
-Consists of rules and procedures established by regulatory agencies
-These rules are called regulations
-Legislatures give power to regulate a particular kind of activity to an administrative agency
Common law
-Law created by judges
-Making decisions based on customs/traditions and sharing them with each other
-They tried to share the same law in common with everyone in the country
Constitution
-The most fundamental/supreme law in the US
-Establishes the national government, creates a system of checks and balances, and guarantees rights to citizens
Judicial review
-One of the 3 ways in which courts make laws
-When a judge or jury reviews a case
-Stare decisis
Justice is Blind
Regardless of age, race, religion, etc. everyone is treated fairly and equally
-Impartial and objective
Laws
-Define the legal rights and duties of the people and provides the means of enforcing these duties
Regulatory agenices
-An agency that establishes rules and procedures called regulations
-Formed because the government lacks time and expertise
Ex: FDIC, CIA, FBI…
Stare Decusus
-“Let the decision stand”
-Means a judge is required to follow a previous court decision when deciding a case with similar circumstances
-Based on precedence
Unconstitutional
-Can also mean invalid
-States that federal and state statutes cannot conflict with the US Constitution
Appeal
-When cases are reviewed by a higher authority
Burden of Proof
-Met when the party with the burden convinces the fact finder that there is a greater than 50% chance that their claim is true
-Prosecution has burden of proof in a criminal case
-Prove beyond reasonable doubt
Closing Argument
-Made by the lawyers at the end of trial
-The evidence is discussed as well as what they have proven
-Highlight key points and try to point the jury’s attention to flaws in the opposing sides argument
-Each side gets a final chance to make an impression
Despositions
-A sworn testimony out of court
Grand Jury
-A grand jury is a jury that is given evidence to decide whether there is probably cause to put someone on trial
Jurisdiction
-The legal ability to hear a case
-The power/right to make a decision and to interpret/declare law
Appellate
-The ability for the court to hear the case on appeal
General Jurisdiction
-A courts ability to hear any type of case
Limited Jurisdiction
-Federal courts have limited jurisdiction
-Means they can only hear cases by the US constitution or federal statutes
Original jurisdiction
-District courts have original jurisdiction
-Means they have the authority to preside over cases first
-Criminal or civil
Juvenile Delinquent
-A person under the age of 18 that commits a criminal offense or act
-Juvenile delinquency is a violation of the law by a person under 18 that would have been a crime if committed by an adult
Juvenile Offender
-Aged 13-15 and charged with a serious crime or violent felony
-If convicted they are subject to less severe sentences than adults
-They will have a permanent criminal record
Opening statements
-Allows both parties attorneys to tell their view of the events
-Does not involve evidence or witnesses
-The plaintiff attorney makes their statements first
Petit Jury
-Present at a generally public trial to decide whether to convict someone of a crime
-They determine the guilt or innocence
Plain View Exception
-Allows an officer to seize evidence of a crime without a warrant if it is in plain sight
Restitution
-Compensation for an injury or loss
Summons
-A form given by the plaintiff and issued by a court that tells the defendant that they are being sued and are required to attend in court
US Supreme Court
-Always takes cases that affect the people, not the individual, so they can clarify legal rights for everyone
The rule if 4
-States that if the supreme court thinks the case has value and 4/9 judges agree they will issue a writ of certiorari
Writ of Certiorari
-When a higher court asks a lower court to pass their case on
Verdict
-The findla decision made by a jury
-It will either be in favor of the defendant or the plaintiff
Voir Dire
-Purpose is to exclude people from the jury who may not be able to decide the case fairly
-They might exclude people who may have information about the case, who knows someone involved, or has a strong prejudice about an aspect of the case
Youthful Offender
-A status for people age 14-18
-Determined at sentencing
-If granted there will be no permanent record for the offender
Required State of Mind
-Intent
-The definition of a crime can be changed based on the criminals state of mind
-1/2 elements of a crime
Aggravated Assault
-Committed with a deadly weapon or with the intent to commit murder, rape, or robbery
Crime
-An act against the public good
Defendant
-The person accused of a crime
Embezzlement
-Wrongful taking of another’s property by a person who has been entrusted with it
-Usually an employee who steals funds
-Take a very small amount over a long period
Entrapment
-If a law enforcement officer induces a law-abiding citizen to commit a crime, the person can use entrapment as a defence
-Coercion is used
Felony
-A major crime punishable by imprisonment in a penitentiary or death
Justifiable Homicide
-Includes killing in the line of duty or self defense
Manslaughter
-Unlawful killing of another without malice aforethought
Voluntary
-When one person intends to kill another but does so suddenly and as a result of great personal stress
Involuntary
-When a person kills another while committing an unlawful or reckless act
-It is unintentional
Misdemeanor
-Less serious crimes that are punishable by a fine or jail sentence that is less than a year
Motive
-The reason behind someone committing a crime
-It plays no part in proving criminal liability, but it may help to establish guilt
Murder
-Unlawful killing of another human being with malice aforethought
-They have a conscious intent/plan to cause harm
1st degree murder
-Killing of important personnel such as a police officer, medical personnel, a witness, in a cruel way, etc.
2nd degree murder
-When none of the conditions in 1st degree murder apply
Phishing
-The attempt to acquire a financial data, passwords, or other personal information from consumers by sending email messages that claim to be from legitimate business
Plaintiff
-In a civil case, it is the person that brings a case against someone else
Self- Defense
-When people have good reason to believe they are in danger of serious injury or death, they can use force to protect themselves
White-collar crimes
-Non-violent illegal acts committed by deceit/concealment
-Attempts to obtain money or another business advantage
-Involve fraud and larceny
Foreign Enforcement
-A judgement rendered outside a country can be collected inside, just as an internal judgement can be
Foreign Recognition
-A decision by a court outside a country is legally valid inside
Jus Cogens
-“Compelling Law”
-Norms that have attained the highest legal status in international law
-A fundamental legal principle that cannot be changed by custom or pratice
Regional Alliances
-A collection of sovereign nations that band together
Shari’a
-Religious legal system
-Business relationships promote honesty and transparency
-“Islamic Law”
USMCA
-The United States Mexico Canada agreement
-Digital Trade is regulated, environmental regulations are easier to enforce, workers rights are protected, rules on intellectual property is strengthened
The World Court
-The ICJ settles international legal disputes and gives advisory opinions to the UN and its agencies
-Only has jurisdiction that have agreed to be bound by its decisions
Assumption of Risk
-If a defendant can show the plaintiff knew of the risk involved and still took the chance of being injured
Breach of Duty
-The failure to use the degree of care that a reasonable person would exercise in the same situation
-Reasonable person must be used when instruction the jurors
-Negligence
Compensatory Awards
- An amount of money that the court believes will restore the plaintiff to the position they were in before the defendant caused injury
-Medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering
Defamation
-Anything published or publically spoken that causes injury to others good name, reputation, or character
-Statements must be false
Slander
-False statement made orally to a 3rd party
Libel
-False statement in printed/writing form