Studied by 3 people
misdemeanor
minor crime for which a person can be fined a small sum of money or jailed for up to a year
damages
money ordered by a court to pay for injuries or losses suffered
plaintiff
the person who files a lawsuit
defendant
the person who is being sued
prosecution
the government in the role of the party who starts the legal proceedings against someone accused of a crime
felony
more serious crime such as murder, rape, kidnapping, or robbery
custody
taking official charge of someone
penal code
a state's written criminal laws
summons
a notice directing someone to a court appearance
crime
an act that breaks the law and harms people or society
delinquient offender
a youth who has committed a criminal case
disposition hearing
the sentencing in a juvenile case
plea bargaining
a process in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty to a less serious crime in order ot get a lighter sentence
adjudication hearing
the procedure used to determine the facts in a juvenile case, like a trial in criminal law
detention hearing
the procedure by which a judge decides whether to charge a juvenile with an offense; like a preliminary hearing in an adult trial
cross-examination
the questioning of a witness at a trial to check or discredit the witness' testimony
tort
a wrongful act for which a person has the right to sue
negligence
lack of proper care and attention
rehabilitate
to correct a person's behavior
discovery
a process by which lawyers check facts and gather evidence before a trial
complaint
a formal notice that a lawsuit has been brought
A driver charged with running a red light is an example of a civil lawsuit.
false
Paul gave Dave a television set, and Dave told him he would pay $600. Dave failed to pay. Can Paul sue Dave for breach of contract?
no, because the amount was more than $500
A trial involving charges of damage to property caused by negligence is an example of ____________________.
civil law
F and G have an agreement. G will drive F to another city and F will pay G $150. G does not pay attention while he is driving and has an accident. F is hurt and sues G for negligence. This lawsuit involves ________________.
personal injury
Failing to exercise reasonable caution to avoid injury or property damage is known as being ____________________.
negligent
John is tired of Mr. Wiggins coming into his bookstore and messing up his magazine display racks. He sets a trap for Wiggins by placing a banana peel on the floor where Wiggins will trip on it. If Wiggins is hurt, he can sue John for _______________.
an intentional tort
The search for information at the beginning of a lawsuit is called _________________.
discovery
In a civil trial, the defendant presents his or her case first.
false
A judge can order that money be deducted from the defendant's paycheck to pay damages to the plaintiff.
true
A defendant found to have behaved badly may have to pay additional money as a punishment.
true
Most crimes are federal crimes.
false
Vandalism may be either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on ______________________.
the dollar amount of damage done
Threatening to attack another person is ____________________.
misdemeanor
Crimes against people are called violent crimes.
true
The same crime always results in the same punishment.
false
One purpose of criminal punishment is to compensate the person who was harmed.
false
In a felony case, the accused enters a plea of guilty or not guilty at the ________________.
arraignment
During the _________, each lawyer outlines the case he or she will present.
opening statements at the trial
Who decides whether a criminal case will be tried by a judge or a jury?
the defendant
The juvenile justice system was set up to teach young offenders the difference between right and wrong.
true
The age at which a person can be tried as an adult _________________.
differs from state to state
Under ___________, juveniles who are charged with a crime have the right to an attorney.
a supreme court ruling
Federal law determines whether a juvenile who has committed a serious crime will be tried as an adult.
false
Which of the following is a juvenile status offense?
skipping school
Once the police take custody of a juvenile offender, they must bring him or her to court.
false
A social worker may decide how a juvenile case will be handled.
true
If a case goes through diversion, the juvenile offender may __________________.
receive counseling
A disposition hearing is similar to an adult _____________________.
sentencing hearing
Note 
Flashcard (45)