Criminal Law, Torts, and Contracts Review

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental concepts in criminal law, torts, and contracts.

Mens Rea

The mental element or guilty mind required in criminal law, encompassing mental states such as intent and knowledge.

Strict Liability

Legal culpability or liability imposed in criminal law or torts without requiring proof of mens rea or criminal intent.

White-Collar Crime

A nonviolent crime typically committed within a commercial or business context.

Crimes Against the Person

Criminal acts committed directly against individuals, such as assault and reckless endangerment.

Embezzlement

A category of crime against property involving the misappropriation of entrusted property or funds.

Grand Jury

A judicial body that reviews evidence to determine whether there is sufficient cause to accuse a defendant of a crime.

Indictment

A formal criminal accusation issued by a grand jury.

Ex Post Facto Law

A prohibited law that attempts to criminalize actions or behavior retroactively after they have already taken place.

Bail

A system whose principal purpose is to ensure the accused's appearance at court proceedings following release from custody.

Booking

The post-arrest administrative processing phase during which identification procedures like fingerprinting take place.

Affirmative Defenses

Defenses that negate criminal liability if proven by the defense, including the statute of limitations and duress.

Offense Classifications (Felony, Misdemeanor, Violation)

The standard legal categories used to classify degrees of offenses based on severity.

Criminal Sentences

Punishments imposed upon a convicted person, including severe sanctions such as life sentences and the death penalty.

Probation vs. Parole

Two distinct forms of criminal supervision, one served in lieu of prison time (probation) and one served following conditional release from prison (parole).

Intentional Torts

Civil wrongs involving deliberate actions, including defamation, intentional distress, conversion, assault, false imprisonment, and battery.

Fraud

A tort involving an intentional misrepresentation where the statement made must be unfactual.

Bilateral vs. Unilateral Contract

Contract types differentiated by whether mutual promises are exchanged between both parties (bilateral) or a promise is given in exchange for actual performance (unilateral).

Option Contract

A contract provision or agreement that keeps an offer open for a specified period of time in exchange for consideration.

Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)

A standardized set of business and commercial laws governing commercial and sales transactions.

Liquidated Damages

An agreed-upon monetary amount stipulated in a contract to be paid as compensation if a breach occurs.

Statute of Frauds

A statutory requirement establishing that certain types of contracts must be in writing to be legally enforceable.