Chapter 7

Question 1

Appellate court upholds the lower court’s decision.

Answer 1

Affirm

Question 2

Authority to hear an appeal from a lower court that has already rendered a decision; reviews the court record from the original trial and does not hear new evidence

Answer 2

Appellate Jurisdiction

Question 3

An election in which a city or county is treated as a single district and candidates are elected from the district as a whole.

Answer 3

At-Large Election

Question 4

The standard burden of proof of necessary to find a defendant guilty in a criminal trial; the defendant is presumed innocent.

Answer 4

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

Question 5

A case in which an aggrieved party sues for damages claiming that he or she has been wronged by another individual.

Answer 5

Civil Case

Question 6

The party alleged to have committed the wrong at issue in a civil suit.

Answer 6

Civil Defendant

Question 7

Monetary damages designed to compensate the injured party.

Answer 7

Compensatory Damages

Question 8

A system in which different levels of courts have overlapping jurisdiction or authority to try the same type of case.

Answer 8

Concurrent Jurisdiction

Question 9

An opinion written by a justice who agrees with the decision but not with the reasoning of the court.

Answer 9

concurring opinion

Question 10

A case in which an individual is charged by the state with violating the laws and the state brings the suit.

Answer 10

Criminal Case

Question 11

A person charged with committing a crime.

Answer 11

Criminal Defendant

Question 12

A system that allows voters to take the total number of positions to be selected in a district and concentrate their votes among one or a few candidates

Answer 12

Cumulative Voting

Question 13

To hear an appeal with a new trial in the absence of an official case record.

Answer 13

De Novo

Question 14

An opinion written by a justice who disagrees with the decision of the court.

Answer 14

Dissenting Opinion

Question 15

An appeal that is heard by the entire court of appeals rather than by a select panel of judges.

Answer 15

En Banc

Question 16

Penal code provision that allows repeat offenders to be charged with a higher-degree offense on subsequent convictions.

Answer 16

Enhanced Penalties

Question 17

A particular court given the sole right to hear a specific type of case.

Answer 17

Exclusive Jurisdiction

Question 18

A panel of twelve jurors that review evidence, determines whether there is sufficient evidence to bring a trial, and issues an indictment.

Answer 18

Grand Jury

Question 19

The advantage enjoyed by the incumbent candidate, or current officeholder, in elections

Answer 19

Incumbency Advantage

Question 20

A document (bill form) issued by a grand jury that indicates there is enough evidence to warrant a trial.

Answer 20

Indictment

Question 21

A system in which judicial authority is shared between levels of government.

Answer 21

Judicial Federalism

Question 22

The court’s sphere of authority.

Answer 22

Jurisdiction

Question 23

The authority to conduct the preliminary procedures in criminal cases, including issuing search and arrest warrants, conducting preliminary hearings, and setting bail for more serious crimes.

Answer 23

Magistrate Function

Question 24

The official decision and reasoning of the appellate court.

Answer 24

Majority Opinion

Question 25

Making a voting choice based on familiarity with or previous recognition of a candidate’s name.

Answer 25

Name Recognition

Question 26

The authority to hear the initial case

Answer 26

Original Jurisdiction

Question 27

An opinion issued by the court as a whole. These are not signed by individual justices.

Answer 27

Per Curiam opinon

Question 28

A trial jury; jurors attend a trial, listen to evidence, and determine whether a defendant is innocent or guilty.

Answer 28

Petit Jury

Question 29

The party claiming to have been wronged that is bringing a civil suit.

Answer 29

Plaintiff

Question 30

The burden of proof in a civil case, which is lower than that in a criminal case, plaintiff must show merely that the defendant is likely to have committed the wrong.

Answer 30

Preponderance of Evidence

Question 31

A lawyer who represents the government and brings a case in criminal trials.

Answer 31

Prosecutor

Question 32

Larger monetary awards designed to punish the defendant and, perhaps, send a message to the larger society.

Answer 32

Punitive Damages

Question 33

Appellate court sends the case back to the lower court to be reexamined.

Answer 33

Remand

Question 34

Appellate court rejects the lower court’s decision

Answer 34

Reverse

Question 35

Voting for all candidates under a party label by selecting the party.

Answer 35

Straight-Ticket Voting

Question 36

A court order that requires a prisoner to be brought before the court and informed of the charges against him or her.

Answer 36

Writ of Habeas Corpus