Exam 1: The Federal Courts Flashcards
What type of court system does the United States have?
A dual court system
a dual court system consist of a
federal court system and a separate state court system
Federal Court =
Supreme Court
What are the main goals of the federal court?
- checks & balances: are the other branches doing their job correctly
- Prevent Oppression/ Discrimination
What is an Adversarial Court System?
Two opposing sides in a court case, where there will be one winner and one loser
(two sides competing: one winner & one loser)
T/F: In criminal law courts you will use the phrases plaintiff & defendant.
FALSE
in a criminal law court, the phrase prosecutor & defense is used
T/F: In Civil Law Courts you will use the phrases Prosecutor & defense.
FALSE
In CIVIL law courts you use the phrases plaintiff & defendant
The phrase beyond a reasonable doubt is used in __(1)__ law courts.
CRIMINAL LAW COURTS
The phrase preponderance of evidence is used in
CIVIL LAW COURTS
Criminal Courts deal with cases regarding
CRIMINAL LAW
What does a criminal law court do?
review cases to determine whether an individual has broken the law
Being found guilty in a criminal law court may result in
Jail time and/ or a fine
What court is Jerry going to after being caught for storming the capital?
A Criminal Law Court
What is a prosecutor?
The federal govt. trying to show how an individual broke the law
What is the defense?
the one being accused in a criminal law court.
In a criminal case the prosecutor has to prove
beyond a reasonable doubt
What is the definition of beyond a reasonable doubt?
In order to be convicted/ punished, the jury or judge has the be 99.99% confident that the accused committed the crime
Can someone still be convicted in a criminal law court if 12 out of the 13 jurors believe that the defense is guilty
NO
all the jurors must agree that the defense is guilty
Civil Law Courts deal with
conducts that may result in damages
Civil Law courts involves __(1)__ bringing __(2)__ to court
Citizen bringing citizen
Criminal Law courts involve __(1)__ bringing __(2)__ to court
- the federal govt
- a citizen
(federal govt. bringing a citizen to court)
Civil Law Courts see cases where
a person is NOT being held criminally but OWES SOMEONE MONEY
(think judge judy)
What types of cases may be seen in a civil law court?
- failure to pay child support
- car accident (if money is owed)
Civil Law Courts use the phrases …
- plaintiff
- Defendant
- preponderance of evidence
Criminal Law Courts use the phrases …
- Prosecutor
- Defense
- Beyond a reasonable doubt
What is a plaintiff?
The individual who is bring a case to court
the one who is suing
What is a defendant?
The individual who is being brought to court
What is preponderance of evidence?
where the judge or jury is MORE THAN LIKELY (50%) confident that the defendant carried out said action
T/F: Civil Law Courts have a lower verdict than criminal law courts.
TRUE
T/F: Criminal Law courts have a lower verdict than civil law courts.
FALSE
criminal law courts have a higher verdict
