Juvenile (In)justice - 20 unit vocab words

verdicts

The formal decision or judgment made by a jury or judge in a court case determines the guilt or innocence of a defendant.

cognitive

relating to the mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning.

development

The process by which individuals acquire and refine cognitive skills, such as thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving, throughout their lifespan.

impulsive

acting quickly without thought or consideration of the consequences.

erratic

characterized by unpredictable or inconsistent behavior, often resulting in sudden changes in mood or actions.

purged

cleansed or removed something undesirable or unwanted.

inhibit

to hinder, restrain, or prevent an action or process.

diminished

reduced in size, extent, or importance; lessened.

accountability

the obligation of individuals or organizations to explain their actions and accept responsibility for them.

homicidal

relating to or characterized by the intention to commit murder.

incosistency

The quality of being inconsistent or lacking in uniformity, often leading to confusion or uncertainty in behavior or decisions.

quandary

A state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation.

heinous

Shockingly evil or wicked; a term often used to describe particularly atrocious crimes.

coddling

The act of pampering or overly protecting someone, often leading to a lack of independence or resilience.

perpetuated

To cause something to continue indefinitely, often referring to negative behaviors or cycles.

Habeas Corpus

A legal principle that protects an individual's right to be free from unlawful detention, requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge.

tort

A wrongful act or infringement of a right leading to civil legal liability, often involving personal injury or damage to property.

jurisdiction

The official power to make legal decisions and judgments, typically within a defined geographical area or over specific types of cases.

affidavit

A written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, used as evidence in legal proceedings.

due process

A legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person, ensuring fair treatment through the judicial system.