What is law terms & conditions

jurisprudence

The study of law and legal philosophy

criminal laws

Statutes dealing with crimes against the public

Felonies

A crime serious enough to be punishable by jail, death, or high fines

Misdemeanors

A lesser crime punishable by a fine and/or jail up to a year. Are tried in the lowest local court(Municipal

civil laws

The part of the law that encompasses business, family, etc (personal reasons)

civil action

Any lawsuit related to civil matters and not criminal lawsuits.

Defendant

The party being sued in a civil lawsuit or the party charged with a crime in a criminal lawsuit.

Plaintiff

The party who initiates the lawsuit by filing a complaint with a clerk of the court against the defendant(s)

Prosecutor

Term for the governments attorney in a criminal case. Ex:District Attorney

beyond a reasonable doubt

Part of jury instructions in all criminal trials-the amount of evidence/persuasion to call someone guilty

preponderance of the evidence

The weight of the evidence required in a civil lawsuit to pronounce someone liable- a lesser amount then a criminal.

limited government

Governemnt officials still have to act within their rights. A basic Constitutional principle that limits government powers provided to it by the people

separation of powers

Seperates parts of government so not all the power is in one place.

Statutes

Rules made and enforced by governments to tell society how to live.

checks and balances

Creates a way for different branches to check one another so no one has all the power and control

Veto

When a bill makes it to the president and they have the power to veto it (turn it down)

judicial review

Enables the court to cancel any law passed by Congress that conflicts with the consitution

Unconstitutional

Referring to a statute-when a law doesn’t align with the consitution

Federalism

Distribution of power from the federation between the central authority and states

Bill of Rights

A summary of fundamental rights and privileges that the government guarantees to the people. (First ten amendments of Constitution)

conflict of interest

A situation where a party has a duty to more than one person or organization

independent counsel

An attorney hired to be impartial