crju 202 judiciary study guide

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution that protect individual civil liberties and limit government power.

4th Amendment

Protects individuals against unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring probable cause and warrants.

5th Amendment

Guarantees due process, protects against self-incrimination and double jeopardy, and requires grand jury indictment for federal felonies.

6th Amendment

Guarantees trial rights, including a speedy public trial, an impartial jury, assistance of counsel, and witness confrontation.

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.

Social Contract

The theoretical agreement where individuals surrender certain freedoms to government in exchange for protection, safety, and social order.

Rule of Law

The principle that all members of society, including government officials, are equally subject to publicly disclosed legal codes.

Federalists

Supporters of constitutional ratification who advocated for a strong national government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of strong centralized authority who demanded states' rights and the addition of a federal bill of rights.

Adjudication

The formal legal process of resolving a dispute and reaching a court decision.

Factual Guilt

The reality of whether an individual actually committed a criminal offense, regardless of legal evidence rules.

Legal Guilt

The formal determination that the government has proven a defendant's criminal responsibility beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

Actus Reus

The voluntary physical act or unlawful conduct required to establish criminal liability.

Mens Rea

The guilty mental state or criminal intent required for legal responsibility.

Concurrence

The legal requirement that the guilty act (actus reus) and mental intent (mens rea) occur simultaneously.

Strict Liability Offenses

Crimes that do not require proof of criminal intent or a guilty mind for conviction.

Substantive Law

The legal rules that define illegal conduct, criminal elements, and legal penalties.

Procedural Law

The rules governing the methods and processes used to enforce substantive legal rights and conduct trials.

Common Law

Legal principles derived from judicial precedent and historical court decisions rather than written statutes.

Crime Control Model

A criminal justice framework prioritizing efficiency, speed, informal case processing, and public safety.

Due Process Model

A criminal justice framework prioritizing constitutional rights, fair formal procedures, and preventing wrongful convictions.

Original Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear and decide a legal case for the first time.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review, amend, or overturn rulings made by lower courts.

Writ of Certiorari

An order issued by a higher court, such as the U.S. Supreme Court, agreeing to review a lower court's decision.

Selective Incorporation

The constitutional doctrine applying specific guarantees of the Bill of Rights to state governments through the 14th Amendment.

Judicial Review

The constitutional power of courts to evaluate government actions and statutes to ensure conformity with the Constitution.

Stare Decisis

The legal principle directing courts to abide by established precedents when deciding similar cases.

Exclusionary Rule

The judicial doctrine prohibiting unconstitutionally obtained evidence from being introduced at a criminal trial.

Adversarial System

A judicial process where opposing attorneys present evidence and argument before an impartial judge or jury.

Inquisitorial System

A legal system where an investigating judge actively gathers evidence and questions witnesses.

Courtroom Work Group

The informal alliance of judges, prosecutors, and defense lawyers who regularly collaborate to process cases.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Federal legislation that established the original framework of the U.S. federal court system.

Preponderance of the Evidence

The standard of proof in civil cases requiring a claim to be more likely true than not true.

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

The standard of proof required to convict a defendant in a criminal prosecution.

Justification Defense

A defense claiming that an admitted criminal act was legally permissible under the circumstances, such as self-defense.

Excuse Defense

A defense arguing that personal or situational factors negated criminal accountability.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Supreme Court case that applied the Exclusionary Rule to state criminal prosecutions via selective incorporation.

Brady v. Maryland (1963)

Supreme Court case requiring prosecutors to turn over material exculpatory evidence to defense counsel.

Trump v. United States (2024)

Supreme Court case ruling that former presidents maintain immunity for official constitutional acts, but not unofficial acts.

Warren Court (1953–1969)

Supreme Court era celebrated for leading the Due Process Revolution and expanding protections for criminal defendants.