Background of Law Flashcards
Mitigating Factors
any information or evidence presented to the court regarding the defendant or the circumstances of the crime that might result in reduced charges or a lesser sentence
Aggravating Factors
Any fact or circumstance that increases the severity or culpability of a criminal act.
Bystander Effect
social psychological phenomenon that refers to cases in which individuals do not offer any means of help to a victim when other people are present
Letter of the Law
The strict and exact force of the language used in a statute
Intent of the Law
What the law is meant for according to the writer and the what they intent it to do
Common Law
unwritten laws, common sense
First Amendment
Freedom of religion speech and press
Second Amendment
The right to bare arms
Fourth Amendment
Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures
Fifth Amendment
Protection of rights to life including right to due process, prohibits self-incrimination and double jeopardy
Sixth Amendment
Right to a fair and speedy trial
Seventh Amendment
Right to trial by jury
Eighth Amendment
protection from cruel and unusual punishment
Fourteenth Amendment
grants citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the united states”
Hammurabi’s code
Eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”; Babylonian law code of ancient Mesopotamia. Distinguishes punishments for different class people including noble persons, commoners and slaves.
