am dem 2.8-2.10

English Common Law

The Ancient roots stem from the Code of Hammurabi, Greek and Roman Law

Rule of Law

no individual, group, organization or government entity is above the law.

Judicial Review

court can say laws and actions of local, state, or national governments actions unconstitutional

Advisory Opinions

executive or legislative branch cannot ask a federal court for advice on whether or not certain law would be constitutional if it were to be passed.

The Judicial System must be _____

impartial

Cannot be influenced by outside forces

Criminal Trial Courts

Criminal trial courts can hear cases

Civil trial courts

Civil trial courts hear cases where one person or group thinks another person or group should pay for causing harm.

Adversarial system

a contest between opposing sides, or adversaries.

layers argue

judge/juries listen

Inquisitorial system

the judge plays a more active role in gathering and presenting evidence.

Plaintiff

the party accusing someone of causing damage

Prosecutor

the government party that initiates the case in a criminal trial

Defendant

The party responding to the Prosecution or Plaintiff

Jury

group of citizens who are sworn to give a verdict based on evidence presented to them in a court.

Public Defenders

attorneys who work for the state and defend people in a criminal case who cannot afford a private attorney

Plea Bargain

a pretrial agreement between the prosecutor and the defendant, disposes of the case without a trial

Witnesses

people who appear with knowledge of the facts of the case

Grand Jury

A group of 16-23 people charged with determining whether there is sufficient cause to believe that a person has committed a crime and should stand trial

Indictment

A formal charge by a grand jury

6th Amendment

The right to a Speedy Trial by jury, representation by an attorney for an accused person

Federal Reserve System(The Fed)

an independent agency which is structured to be less subject to political pressures than most other federal agencies.

who nominates and appoints the seven members that make up the FED

The president

Council of Economic Advisors

council of people to advice the president specifically on domestic and international economic policies

Employment Act of 1946

Created the Council of Economic Advisers

shifted economic power towards the President in order to let them more efficiently improve employment and production

Political Patronage

an appointment to a political office which rewards the people who have helped get a president elected

patronage to merit system (P A P M R)

patronage (spoils system) -> 1881 assassination of president james A garfield -> Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act (1883) -> merit system (civil services) --> result of merit-based hiring

Presidential Succession

different heads of state would serve as the President in times of rapid succession or crisis

flow chart of presidential succession

President→Vice President→Speaker of the House→ Secretary of State →Cabinet Offices (14 different department heads in order in which they were created)