final Flashcards
define grand jury
13-23 people are assembled to examine the evidence presented by the prosecutor to determine whether there is sufficient evidence against the accused to try a case
define judicial activism
the belief that judges should go beyond the “four corners of the constitution” and use the constitution to change societal behavior
Define judicial review
the right to the supreme court to declare a law, or action based upon that law, unconstitutional
Define exclusionary rule
the rule that evidence obtained illegally is not admissible in a court of law
Define evidence
material presented as proof at the trial
Define precedent
past court decisions involving similar cases
Define judicial restraint
the historic role of the supreme court to apply and interpret the Constitution according to the original understanding of the who wrote and ratified it
Define warrant
a written statement issued by a judge which gives a law officer the legal right to search for a particular thing in a specific place
Define trial jury
composed of six to twelve jurors from the federal district, who actually hears the case court
Define brief
a short written statement of a lawyers arguments in a case before the court
Define discretionary review
the ability of the Supreme Court to decide whether it will hear a case or not
Define appeal
a request that a higher court review the case records and verdict of the lower court
What is the highest court in the United States?
supreme court
What term means the division of power among the governments within a nation?
federalism
What is the most important source of revenue for states?
sales tax
Which state executive officer is the guardian of a state’s finances and tax collection?
comptroller/auditor
What is the most widely used form of city government?
mayor-council form
What kind of courts help people collect small sums of money due them?
special small claims courts
What local government unit is the largest in most states?
a county
Name the 3 methods for proposing amendments to a state constitution?
convention proposal, legislative proposal, and initiative proposal
Define runoff primary
some states require that a candidate wins by only a plurality, and a runoff primary will be held between the top two candidates after the regular primary
Define precinct
the local voting district
Define citizenship
allegiance to a country, or full membership and participation in its political and social institutions
Define Alien
a foreign born resident of a country who has not become a naturalized citizen
Define lobbyist
one who represents a special interest group before a political body
Define expatriation
the legal process by which a person renounces his citizenship
Define closed primary
the voter must register to vote with the party and may vote only for the candidates in that party
Define Visa
the right of admission to a country; an endorsement on a passport which signifies that it has been examined by the proper officials of a country and grants entry into the country
Define naturalization
the process whereby a person changes citizenship from one country to another
Define Passport
a travel document, for identification and safe passage, issued by the government for travel abroad
Name the 3 branches of government established in the Constitution.
legislative, executive, judicial
