Civics and Government Mini-Lesson Review (Questions 361-400)

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering constitutional and criminal law, legal proceedings, political party structures, and the Electoral College system from Mini-Lesson questions 361 to 400.

Constitutional Law

The type of law applied when personal rights are infringed.

Protecting Rights of Citizens

The core principle of the Founders when writing the Constitution.

Criminal Law

The type of law applied when people commit crimes and are punished.

Precedence

A previous ruling in an earlier case that provides guidance.

Perjury

The act of lying under oath.

Appeal

The process invoked if a party does not like the outcome of a court case.

Trial Court

A court that has original jurisdiction on state cases, where a judge and jury are present.

Openness

The condition where court proceedings and records are available to the public.

Citation

A legal notice indicating that an offense has been committed.

Fine

A financial penalty assessed for committing an offense.

Bail / Bond

Money paid to get released from jail pre-trial.

Unsecured Bond

A type of bond that does not require an up-front payment.

Secured Bond

A type of bond that requires payment ahead of time.

Verdict

The official opinion or decision of the jury after deliberation.

Discovery

The pre-trial phase where both legal sides share relevant information.

Probable Cause

Objective facts that lead to a reasonable belief that a crime has been committed.

Political Party

Groups that promote certain beliefs and sponsor political candidates.

Candidate

An individual who runs for political office.

Primary System

A process through which political candidates are selected.

Two-Party System

A political system where two primary parties dominate government.

Democracy

A form of government in which the people hold the power.

Republic

A form of government by which citizens delegate power to representatives.

Democrats & Republicans

The two major political parties in the United States.

Jefferson & Hamilton

The two historical leaders who founded the two-party system in the United States.

Popular Vote

The total votes cast directly by the people.

Platform

The official belief system and statement of principles of a political party.

Planks

The separate, individual policies that make up a party's platform.

Democratic Party

The current political party that supports more government involvement in citizens' lives.

Republican Party

The current political party that supports smaller government practicing less intervention.

Radical

A political faction advocating for the overthrow of old established ways immediately ("NOW!").

Reactionary

A political faction advocating to keep the old ways at any cost.

Apathy

A lack of political interest or engagement.

Electoral College

The official group that elects the President of the United States.

State Electoral Vote Determination

Calculated by adding the number of representatives plus senators ($\text{reps} + \text{senators}$).

Winner-Take-All

An electoral system where whichever candidate wins the majority of a state receives all of that state's Electoral College votes.

California

The state that holds the most Electoral College votes ($54$).

Swing State

A competitive state that can be won by either a Democrat or Republican candidate.

Third Party / Minor Party

A term describing any political party that is not one of the two major parties.

270

The minimum number of Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency.

Red and Blue

The standard Electoral College map colors used for states won by Republicans (Red) and Democrats (Blue).