Criminology and Law Chapter One Review

Human rights

Basic rights and freedoms that belong to all people simply because they are human.

Criminal law

Laws that regulate public conduct and set penalties for.

Felonies

Serious crimes, usually punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death.

Misdemeanors

Less serious crimes, usually punishable by fines or imprisonment of less than one year.

Civil laws

Laws that regulate disputes between private individuals or groups.

Defendant

The person accused of a crime or being sued in court.

Plaintiff

The person or party who brings a lawsuit in a civil case.

Prosecutor

The government official who brings charges against a defendant in a criminal case.

Preponderance of the evidence

The standard of proof usually required in civil cases; more likely than not that the claim is true.

Separation of powers

Division of government into three branches (legislative, executive, judicial) with checks and balances.

Veto

The power of the president (or governor) to reject a bill passed by the legislature.

Judicial review

The power of courts to determine whether laws or actions are constitutional.

Unconstitutional

Something that goes against the Constitution.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution that guarantee individual freedoms and rights.