CRJ350 - Courts & Judiciary Final Exam Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering Constitutional amendments, legal definitions, jury selection, case law, and trial procedures for the CRJ350 final exam.

4th Amendment

Prohibits warrantless searches and seizures and requires probable cause; warrants must specify the place to be searched and items sought.

Exclusionary Rule

A rule derived from the 4th Amendment that bars evidence obtained illegally from being used at trial.

5th Amendment

Protects against self-incrimination and double jeopardy; requires grand jury indictment for federal crimes and due process for deprivation of life, liberty, or property.

6th Amendment

Guarantees the right to know the nature of accusations, confront witnesses, a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, and the assistance of counsel.

8th Amendment

Protects against cruel and unusual punishment as well as excessive fines.

14th Amendment (Incorporation Doctrine)

Applies Bill of Rights protections to the states via the Due Process Clause.

Hearsay

An out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted; generally inadmissible with certain exceptions.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

A petition that challenges the legality of a person's detention or imprisonment.

Voir Dire

The process of questioning prospective jurors and qualifying expert witnesses.

Inevitable Discovery

An exception to the exclusionary rule where evidence would have been found lawfully anyway.

Independent Source

An exception to the exclusionary rule where evidence is discovered through a separate lawful means.

Double Jeopardy

Prohibited by the 5th Amendment, it is the act of being tried twice for the same offense.

Challenges for Cause

Unlimited challenges used during jury selection where the attorney must state a specific reason for removal.

Peremptory Challenges

Limited challenges used during jury selection that require no reason to be stated by the attorney.

Brady requirements

The obligation for the prosecution to disclose exculpatory evidence to the defense.

Motion for Severance

A pretrial motion requesting separate trials for co-defendants.

Burden of Proof

Passed to the prosecution, who must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Specialized/Diversionary Courts

Alternative courts (e.g., drug, domestic violence, homeless, juvenile) that may require counseling, rehab, or vocational training.

Appeal as of Right

The first appeal a defendant is entitled to, which includes a right to counsel.

Writ of Certiorari

A petition for review by a higher court, considered a type of discretionary appeal.

Baldwin v. New York (1970)

Established that a jury trial is required for any offense with possible imprisonment greater than 6 months.

Ramos v. Louisiana (2020)

Ruled that a unanimous verdict is required in state and federal criminal trials for serious crimes.

Douglas v. California (1963)

Ruled that indigent defendants have the right to counsel on their first appeal as of right.

Timbs v. Indiana (2019)

Ruled that the 8th Amendment's protection against excessive fines is a fundamental right incorporated to the states.