Chapter 9 The Judiciary

Question 1

Judiciary

Answer 1

A collective term referring to the system of courts and its judges and other personnel

Question 2

Judge

Answer 2

A public official who presides over a court

Question 3

Original Trial Courts

Answer 3

Courts having the authority to consider and decide both criminal and civil cases in the first instance, as distinguished from appellate courts

Question 4

Criminal Jurisdiction

Answer 4

The authority of courts that handle offenses punishable by fines, imprisonment, public service, or death. These offenses include murder, rape, assault, theft, embezzlement, fraud, drunken driving, speeding, and other acts that have been defined as criminal by the state legislature or municipal authorities

Question 5

Juvenile Court

Answer 5

Special state court that handles accused offenders under the age of seventeen

Question 6

Supreme Court

Answer 6

The highest state appellate court with civil jurisdiction

Question 7

Court of Criminal Appeals

Answer 7

The highest state appeals court with criminal jurisdiction

Question 8

Grand Jury

Answer 8

A legal body of twelve or more individuals convened at the county seat. The grand jury considers evidence submitted by prosecutors and determines whether these is indict those accused of crimes

Question 9

Indictment

Answer 9

An official accusation that a person or organization has committed a crime, normally issued by a grand jury, and normally involving felonies rather than misdemeanors

Question 10

Felony

Answer 10

A major crime, punishable by at least a year in prison upon conviction. Capital felonies may involve the death penalty.

Question 11

Misdemeanor

Answer 11

A small or moderate crime, punishable by fines or, at maximum, a year in jail

Question 12

Trial Juries

Answer 12

Six to twelve persons who determine the legal guilt or innocence of defendants in a criminal trial or liability of defendants in a civil trial

Question 13

Plea Bargain

Answer 13

The process in which an accused person agrees to plead guilty to a lesser crime and receives a lighter sentence. He or she avoids having to stand trial on a more serious charge, and the state saves the time and expense of a trial

Question 14

Appellate Jurisdiction

Answer 14

The authority of a court to hear cases sent to it on appeal from a lower court. Appellate courts review only the legal issues involved and not the factual record of the case

Question 15

Original jurisdiction

Answer 15

The authority to hear a case first, usually in a trial