yr10 legal studies

Bill

A proposed law presented to Parliament for debate and approval.

Criminal law

Deals with acts or omissions that are against the law and harmful to society.

Civil law

Deals with disputes between individuals, groups, or organizations over rights infringements.

Social cohesion

Refers to the willingness of members of a society to cooperate with each other.

Parliament role

The supreme law-making body that creates, amends, and repeals laws.

Plea hearing

Occurs when an accused person pleads guilty, and the court decides an appropriate sentence.

Trial

A formal judicial examination of evidence and legal claims in a court of law.

Sentencing factors (Mitigating / Aggravating)

Factors that reduce or increase a sentence.

Consumer law

Protects the rights of consumers and ensures businesses act fairly.

Prosecution

The party that brings a criminal case against the accused on behalf of the state.

Defendant

The person accused of committing a crime or the party being sued in a civil case.

Plaintiff

The person who brings legal action against another party for causing harm or loss.

Legal damages

Monetary compensation awarded to a plaintiff in a civil case.

Negligence

Occurs when a person fails to take reasonable care to avoid causing harm.

Crime

An act or omission that is against the law, harmful to society, and punishable by the state.

Summary offences

Minor criminal offences heard in the Magistrates’ Court without a jury.

Indictable offences

Serious criminal offences heard in higher courts before a judge and jury.

Parole

The conditional early release of a prisoner after part of their sentence is served.

Non-parole period

The minimum time an offender must serve in prison before being eligible for parole.

Culpable driving causing death

When a driver causes death through reckless, negligent, or impaired driving.

Dangerous driving causing death

When a person drives dangerously and causes death.

Bail

The temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial.

Remand

When an accused person is kept in custody while awaiting trial.

Criminal law principles

Presumption of innocence, Burden of proof on prosecution, Standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt.

Sanctions (criminal)

Penalties in criminal law, such as imprisonment or fines.

Legal damages (civil)

Compensation awarded in civil law.

Purposes/goals of sanctions

Punishment, Deterrence, Rehabilitation, Protection of the community.

Role of Jury

A group of citizens who determine the facts of a case and deliver a verdict.

Plaintiff's burden of proof

The obligation to prove their allegations in a civil case.

Legal system

The framework of rules and institutions governing a country.

Constitution

A set of fundamental principles or established precedents.

Testimony

Evidence given by a witness under oath.

Settlement

An agreement reached between parties in a legal dispute.

Mitigation

The action of reducing the severity or seriousness of something.

Exoneration

The action of absolving someone from blame for a fault.

Conviction

The formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense.