Midterm Flashcards
Definition of Law
standards, principles process and rules, usually written down in a manor that are adopted and administered and enforced
procedural law
set forth how one much proceed to obtain certain results from the legal system
substantive law
set forth the possible results and more important, how one must behave in everyday life. it sets forth what may be done within the law or must be done by the law
civil law
any law not criminal, they regulate behavior and impose duties on people but cannot take action against violateors of civil law. it is mainly private citizens who take actions against violators
criminal law
procedural criminal laws regulate the operation of the justice system
court made law (common law)
Common law is defined as a body of legal rules that have been made by judges as they issue rulings on cases, as opposed to rules and laws made by the legislature or in official statutes.
cases resolving disputes
sources of the law, name 4 of them
constitutions, legislation, regulations and court made law
Stare decisis
stand by things decided, this is a precedent, courts will usually adhere to previous rulings .
administrative law (regulations)
Administrative agencies, which are part of the executive branch, at the federal, state and local levels produce laws that are generally called regulations.
Ordinances, definitions
laws that cover matters of local concern which are enacted by local legislative codes, city councils and county.
structure of the court system state pg 26
trial courts-> courts of appeals -> state supreme court -> us supreme court
structure of the court system fed
us district court -> us court of appeals -> us supreme court
How do trial courts and appellate courts differ
trial courts resolve disputes
appellate courts do not receive evidence or divide on facts they look at records
Federal vs state jurisdiction
most cases remain state
us cases involving laws, bankruptcy , treaties , ambassadors, or public ministers
subject matter
courts of general jurisdiction have subject matter over the majority of civil claims, including actions involving tort, contracts, unpaid debt and civil right violations
geographic/ personal
is based on territorial concepts, that is a court can gain person jurisdiction over a party on if the party has a connection to the geographic area in whit the court city.
subject matter jurisdiction for federal court
claims arising from us constitution, claims brought against us government, lams in which parties live in different states and amount of controversy is over $50,000
Diversity of citizenship
the federal trial courts will decide some civil cases in which parties are from different states and its over $50,000
Adversarial ( nature of process 1 of 3)
assumption is the trial process and its rule will lead to truth
accusatorial( nature of process 1 of 3)
the state or individual alleges that a person has harmed them in some way. Must show burden of proof.
Fair( nature of process 1 of 3)
there is a high burden of proof for the person initialing the suit. Must have beyond reasonable doubt .
Judge
primary legal decision maker in hearings, pressing over hearing, deciding what law to apply and how to apply it and the deciding of facts.
jury
applies laws to facts based on judges instruction. they will decide facts based on evidence and reach a verdict in a case.
parties
people who are involved in legal disputes
plaintiff ( criminal case)
person initiating the case
defendant
person the case is being held against
complainant (civil)
person initiating the case
respondent (civil)
person case is being filed against