Legal Fundamentals Flashcards
criminal law
Laws that deal with crimes and punishment
Misdemeanors
An offense that is considered less serious than a felony and carries a lesser penalty, usually a fine or imprisonment
Felony
A crime declared by statue to be more serious than a misdemeanor. And deserving of a more severe penalty.
Assault
The crime of trying or threatening to hurt someone physically.
Battery
intentional touching or using force in a harmful manner, without the person’s consent.
plaintiff
A person who files a lawsuit initiating a legal action
defendant
A person who is being sued or accused of a crime in a court of law
deposition
A formal statement that someone who has promised to tell the truth makes so that the statement can be used in court
subpoena
A written order that commands someone to appear in court to give evidence
civil law
Laws that deal with the rights of people rather than with crimes
contract
A legal agreement between two or more parties
breach
Infraction or violation of a law, obligation, tie, or standard
negligence
the failure to do something that a reasonably prudent individual would do
administrative Law
The body of law in the form of decisions, rules, regulations, and orders created by administrative agencies.
litigation
A lawsuit or legal action that determines the legal rights and remedies of the person or party
