Overview of the U.S. Judicial System

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the structure, process, and elements of the U.S. judicial system based on lecture notes.

Dual Court System

The structure of the U.S. judicial system consisting of state and federal courts.

Adversarial System

A legal system where two advocates represent their parties' positions before an impartial judge or jury.

Original Jurisdiction

The lawful authority of a court to hear a case from its beginning.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The lawful authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts.

Specialized Courts

Courts that target specific offenders and are designed to be non-adversarial and non-punitive.

Federal Judiciary

Established by Article 3, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, creating the federal court system.

Judicial Review

The power of the U.S. Supreme Court to evaluate the constitutionality of legislative acts and executive actions.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Supreme Court case establishing the right to counsel in state courts for defendants facing felony charges.

Plea Bargaining

A negotiation process between the defendant and prosecutor to settle a case without going to trial.

Sentencing Guidelines

Frameworks established to guide judges in determining appropriate sentences for convicted offenders.

Bifurcated System

A system where the trial and sentencing process are separated and handled in two distinct phases.

Right to Counsel

The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to legal representation for defendants.

Indictment

Formal charges brought against a defendant by a grand jury.

Pretrial Procedures

Initial steps in the legal process following an arrest, including first appearances and bail hearings.

Arraignment

Court proceeding where a defendant is formally informed of charges and allowed to enter a plea.

Capital Punishment

The legal authorization of the death penalty as punishment for certain crimes.

Probation

A sentence that allows offenders to remain in the community under supervision instead of going to prison.

Indeterminate Sentencing

A sentencing scheme allowing a judge significant discretion in setting the term of incarceration.

Mandatory Sentencing

Laws requiring fixed minimum sentences for certain crimes, limiting judicial discretion.

Community Corrections

Alternative sentencing options that allow offenders to serve their sentences in the community.

Jails

Locally operated short-term confinement facilities for individuals awaiting trial.

Prison Overcrowding

The condition where the number of inmates exceeds the capacity of prison facilities.

Grand Jury

A body that determines whether there is sufficient evidence to bring an accused person to trial.

Criminal Law

The body of law dealing with crime and the legal punishment of criminal offenses, aimed at maintaining public order.

Civil Law

The body of law dealing with disputes between individuals or organizations, seeking to resolve non-criminal matters.

Prosecutor

The legal representative of the state (government) in a criminal case, responsible for presenting evidence against the accused.

Defense Attorney

A lawyer who represents a defendant in legal proceedings, aiming to protect their rights and present their case.

Judge

A public official authorized to hear and decide cases in a court of law, ensuring fair trials and applying legal principles.

Jury

A group of citizens selected to hear evidence and arguments in a court case, responsible for delivering a verdict.

Verdict

The formal decision or finding made by a jury or judge in a legal case.

Approximate number of Courts of Limited Jurisdiction in the U.S.

Approximately 13,500

Approximate number of U.S. District Courts

94

Number of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court

Nine (eight associate justices and one chief justice)

Average time between death sentence and execution

14 years

Percentage of convictions resulting from guilty pleas

$$90\%$$

Percentage of jail inmates who are pretrial detainees

$$66\%$$

Approximate annual cost to house one inmate in jail

$$14,500$$

Percentage of women in inmate populations

$$7\%$$

Frequency of first appearance after arrest

Within 48 hours

Number of states and federal systems that utilize the death penalty

27 states and the federal government