common law - Law created by judicial opinion. Historically, law from America’s colonial and English past, which has set precedents that are still sometimes followed today. statutory law - Law created through state and federal legislatures. criminal law - Law that involves the violation of public rights and duties, creating a social harm. civil law - Law that deals with matters considered to be private concerns between individuals. tort - A civil violation; the civil law’s equivalent of a crime. A wrongful act that results in injury and leaves the injured party entitled to compensation. legality - The principle that no one can be punished for an act that was not defined as criminal before the person did the act. Model Penal Code (MPC) - A comprehensive recodification of the principles of American criminal responsibility. jurisdiction The power or authority of a court to act with respect to any case before it. federalism - The system of government of the United States whereby all power resides in the state governments unless specifically granted to the federal government. probable cause - Evidence that there is a fair probability that the suspect committed a crime; required for an arrest of a suspect by a law enforcement officer. recognizance - A promise to appear in court. bail - A deposit of cash, other property, or a bond, guaranteeing the accused will appear in court. bond - A written promise to pay the bail sum, posted by a financially responsible person, usually a professional bail bond agent. preliminary hearing - A post-arrest, pretrial judicial proceeding at which the judge decides whether there is probable cause to prosecute the accused. In some jurisdictions, the preliminary hearing is minimal; in others, it is a mini-trial. grand jury - A panel of persons chosen through strict court procedures to review criminal investigations and, in some instances, to conduct criminal investigations. Grand juries decide whether to charge crimes in the cases presented to them or investigated by them. indictment - The paper issued by a grand jury that charges an accused with a felony. information - The paper issued by a prosecutor that charges an accused of a felony. arraignment and plea - The defendant’s appearance to respond formally to the charges. habeas corpus - Literally, “you have the body.” A legal action separate from the criminal case, it can be brought only by a prisoner who has exhausted all the usual appellate remedies

What encompasses the definition of Law?

Law includes federal, state, and local enactments from legislative bodies, known court decisions, and regulations from government bodies.

How is Common Law defined?

Common Law is created by judicial opinion and includes historical precedents from America’s colonial and English past.

What does Statutory Law refer to?

Statutory Law refers to laws created through state and federal legislatures.

What is the primary focus of Criminal Law?

Criminal Law involves the violation of public rights and duties, which creates social harm.

What is Civil Law concerned with?

Civil Law deals with private matters considered concerns between individuals.

What is a Tort?

A Tort is a civil violation equivalent to a crime, resulting in injury and entitling the injured party to compensation.

What does the principle of Legality state?

The principle of Legality states that no one can be punished for an act not defined as criminal prior to committing it.

What is the Model Penal Code (MPC)?

The Model Penal Code is a comprehensive recodification of American criminal responsibility principles.

Define Jurisdiction in the context of law.

Jurisdiction is the authority of a court to act regarding any case before it.

What does Federalism refer to?

Federalism is the system of government in the U.S. where power mostly resides with state governments unless granted to the federal government.

What is meant by Probable Cause?

Probable Cause is the evidence showing a fair probability that a suspect committed a crime, needed for making an arrest.

What is Recognizance?

Recognizance is a promise made to appear in court.

What is Bail in legal terms?

Bail is a cash or property deposit that guarantees the accused will appear in court.

Define Bond in the legal context.

A Bond is a written promise to pay the bail sum, typically posted by a professional bail bond agent.

What is a Preliminary Hearing?

A Preliminary Hearing is a judicial proceeding post-arrest to determine if there is probable cause to prosecute.

What does a Grand Jury do?

A Grand Jury reviews criminal investigations and decides whether to charge crimes based on the cases presented.

What is an Indictment?

An Indictment is the document issued by a Grand Jury that charges an accused with a felony.

What does the term Information mean in legal context?

Information refers to the document issued by a prosecutor that charges an accused of a felony.

What occurs during Arraignment and Plea?

During Arraignment and Plea, the defendant formally responds to the charges against them.

What is Habeas Corpus?

Habeas Corpus is a legal action that can be brought by a prisoner who has exhausted all usual appellate remedies.