American Law - Unit 1 Cheat Sheet

Vocabulary flashcards created from the American Law Unit 1 Cheat Sheet covering goals of the legal system, legal terms, kinds of law, legal standards, and branches of government.

Goals of the Legal System

Protect basic freedoms, promote fairness, uphold and resolve conflicts, help communities achieve goals, promote order, represent the will of the majority, and protect rights of the minority.

Purposes of Law

Moral, economic, political, and social purposes behind laws.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

A foundational declaration outlining fundamental human rights.

Criminal Law

Regulates public conduct and sets out duties to society.

Felony

A crime punishable by a prison sentence of more than 1 year.

Misdemeanor

A crime punishable by a sentence of less than 1 year in prison.

Civil Law

Regulates relations between individuals or groups of people.

Civil Action

A lawsuit brought by someone who feels wronged.

Plaintiff

The party who brings the suit in a legal case.

Defendant

The person charged with a crime or being sued.

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

The standard of proof in a criminal case; the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Preponderance of the Evidence

The burden of proof in a civil case; the plaintiff must convince the judge or jury that their version of events is more likely than not.

Legislative Branch

Congress; responsible for making laws.

Executive Branch

The President and federal agencies; responsible for enforcing laws.

Judicial Branch

The courts; responsible for interpreting laws.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch of government has powers that can limit or check the other branches.