BLAW

DEPOSITION

sworn, credibility of witness recorded testimony

INTERROGATORIES

Method by which opposing parties answer written questions under oath

DISCOVERY

obtain information from each other

Opening Statement

the first statement made by the plaintiff at trial

Examination of Witness

Defendant can cross-examine (disprove)

REQUEST DOCUMENTS

medical and mental examinations, property inspections

Motion For directed verdict

rare motion made during trial

FILE COMPLAINT

formally notified as 'plaintiff' - admit or deny

FILE ANSWER

'30 DAYS' to respond to complaint

counterclaim

failure to respond can lead to a default judgment

LONG ARMS STATUTE

permits states to have jurisdiction over nonresident defendants

STATUS CONFERENCE

if plaintiff wins, jury decides amount of the monetary award

VERDICT and AWARD

decides amount of compensation granted

VOIR DIRE

decide whether the juror has bias, conflict of interest, or connections to case

VENUE

Civil case: typically where defendant resides; Criminal case: typically where crime occurred

PRETRIAL MOTIONS

Resolution of disputes on the pleadings

JURISDICTION

you must have jurisdiction in ways other than those involved in the traditional judicial process

STATE COURT SYSTEMS

Superior, Appellate, Supreme

FEDERAL COURT SYSTEMS

District, Appellate, Supreme

Mediation

settle case without going to trial using a neutral third party

Arbitration

uses an arbitrator to hear and decide on the dispute; can be binding or nonbinding

PRETRIAL CONFERENCE

identify disputed issues, parties present opening arguments, and ask for specific remedies

STANDING TO SUE

plaintiff must have enough 'stake'/damages upon themselves in order to seek relief in court

Supremacy Clause

The constitutional provision that establishes federal law as the supreme law of the land.

Federal Powers

Powers that are granted to the federal government by the Constitution.

State vs Federal Powers

The ongoing conflict regarding the balance of power between state governments and the federal government.

First 10 Amendments

Also known as the Bill of Rights, these amendments provide constitutional protection of individual rights.

14th Amendment

An amendment that prohibits states from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

Recusal

The act of a judge removing themselves from a case due to personal involvement.

Commercial Speech

Speech that promotes commercial interests and can be restricted under certain conditions.

Establishment Clause

The clause in the First Amendment that prohibits the government from endorsing one religion over another.

Commerce Clause

The clause that grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce.

Threatening Speech

Speech that advocates violence, which can lead to government interference.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

5th Amendment

An amendment that provides for due process and protects against self-incrimination.

Equal Protection Clause

A clause in the 14th Amendment that requires states to treat individuals equally under the law.

Privacy Laws

Laws that protect personal information and the right to privacy.

Triple Bottom Line

A framework that considers social, environmental, and economic impacts in business decisions.

Common Law

Law that is developed through court decisions rather than through statutes.

Equitable Remedies

Court-ordered actions that require a party to act or refrain from acting in a certain way.

Statutory Law

Laws that are enacted by legislative bodies, such as Congress.

Human Rights

Basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person, often violated for profit.

Social Responsibility

The obligation of businesses to act in the best interests of their environment and society.

Minimum Ethics in Business

The basic ethical standards that businesses should adhere to, including following the law.

Product Liability

The legal responsibility of manufacturers and sellers to ensure their products are safe.

Environmental Law

Laws that regulate the impact of human activities on the environment.