Business Law
1 Appeal: A petition to a higher court to reverse a trial court decision.
2 Appellate Court: A legal venue that reviews cases for legal errors that may have affected the
outcome.
3 Brief: A specific written argument that highlights and clarifies certain information to persuade the
Court to rule in one’s favor.
4 Delinquency: Acts committed by minors that would be crimes if committed by adults.
5 Dependency: Cases that investigate the abuse or neglect of minors by their guardians. The primary
objective is the minor’s safety and well-being.
6 Docket: The formal log of chronological summaries that detail the court proceedings.
7 Evidence: The information, objects, or testimony presented in legal proceedings to support or refute
allegations.
8 Jury: A group of citizens convened to deliberate and render a decision of guilt or innocence in a legal
case, based on evidence presented during a trial.
9 Juvenile Court: Specialized state-level legal venues for minors accused of violating laws.
10 Oral Argument: A presentation made by attorneys regarding their respective positions in a case.
11 Precedent: The judicial decision, ruling, or opinion of a court that is used as law when deciding future
cases with similar issues or facts.
12 Supreme Court: The highest judicial authority, responsible for interpreting the constitution, reviewing
laws, and settling disputes that have significant legal, public interest, and/or constitutional
implications.
13 Testimony: A person’s formal statements given under oath, detailing personal knowledge or
experiences relevant to a case or inquiry.
14 Traffic Court: Specialized trial courts that focus exclusively on traffic-related cases and ensure
drivers adhere to traffic laws.
15 Trial Court: A legal venue where cases are initially heard and decided.
16 Witness: A person with first-hand knowledge of an event.
17 Writ of Certiorari: A formal legal request to a lower court to provide its case record to a higher court
for review.
18 Bailiff: The court official who maintains order and security within the courtroom, assists the judge,
and manages participants during trials.
19 Clerk of Courts: The court official responsible for managing all administrative and clerical tasks of
the court system, including handling case filings, maintaining court records, and securing evidence.
20 Court Reporter: The court official who creates accurate, precise, and complete courtroom
discussions and testimony records.
21 Defense Attorney: The court official who represents the accused and is responsible for defending
them against the government's charges.
22 Due Process: The legal principle that ensures fair treatment through the judicial system, including a
citizen's entitlement to notice of a legal process affecting their rights, a hearing, and a fair trial.
23 Evidence: The information, objects, or testimony presented in legal proceedings to support or refute
allegations.
24 Judge: The appointed or elected court official who presides over legal proceedings and decides on
various legal matters within a courtroom.
25 Jurisdiction: The power of a court to make legal decisions and judgments.
26 Jury: A group of citizens convened to deliberate and render a decision of guilt or innocence in a legal
case based on the evidence presented during a trial.
27 Magistrate: A licensed attorney appointed to act as a judge and handle lesser legal matters on behalf
of the court.
28 Motion: A formal request made to a court by a party involved in a case, asking the court to make a
specific decision or order regarding an aspect of the case.
29 Paralegal: Individuals who conduct legal research, draft documents, organize case materials, and
perform administrative tasks, under the supervision of a lawyer.
30 Probation: A court-ordered period during which someone convicted of a crime is allowed to live
under specified conditions and supervision instead of serving time in prison.
31 Probation Officer: The court official who primarily oversees and supervises individuals serving
probation.
32 Prosecutor: The court official who represents the government in court and is responsible for initiating
and conducting legal proceedings against individuals accused of committing crimes.
33 Testimony: A person’s formal statements given under oath, detailing personal knowledge or
experiences relevant to a case or inquiry.
34 Verdict: The formal judgment made by a jury, judge, or panel of judges on the matters submitted to
them in a case.
35 Witness: A person with first-hand knowledge of an event.
36 Ambassador: The highest-ranking presidential representatives appointed to engage with foreign
nations, international bodies, and global organizations, on behalf of the United States government.
37 Bill: A draft of a written proposal to form a new law, alter a current law, or remove an existing law.
38 Cabinet: The advisory group that includes the Vice President and the 15 executive department
heads.
39 Executive Branch: The branch of the federal government responsible for implementing and
enforcing the country’s laws, managing foreign relations, and overseeing national defense.
40 Executive Order: A presidential directive, written with the full force of law, that does not require
congressional approval.
41 Federalism: The division of powers between the levels of government.
42 Foreign Dignitaries: Important people from other countries.
43 Law: A rule that regulates the behavior and social norms of society.
44 Legislative Branch: The branch of the federal government responsible for writing legislation,
regulating interstate commerce, controlling the budget, affirming or rejecting treaties and presidential
appointments, overseeing federal agencies, impeaching and removing federal officers, and declaring
war.
45 Judicial Branch: The branch of the federal government responsible for interpreting laws,
determining their constitutionality, and ensuring they are applied fairly across all cases.
46 Judicial Review: The responsibility and ability to make determinations on the constitutionality of
laws.
47 Veto: The power to stop or reject a decision by a law-making body.
48 Ratify: To approve and make an official binding agreement.
49 Supremacy Clause: Article of the Constitution that ensures federal law takes precedence (or priority)
over state law when they are in direct conflict.
50 Treaty: Agreements between two or more countries.
51 Adjudication: The formal process by which a judge or a panel of judges resolve disputes and render
decisions in legal cases.
52 Administrative Law: The body of law that governs the actions of federal agencies including their
organization, procedures, rules, and processes for enforcement and adjudication.
53 Bill of Rights: The foundational document that further clarifies the limits of power for the government
and outlines the protected liberties of citizens through amendments to the Constitution.
54 Common Law: The body of law composed of legal precedents established by the courts.
55 Constitution: A set of foundational principles by which an entity is governed.
56 Constitutional Law: The collective history of how the Constitution has been interpreted and applied
to uphold laws and resolve disputes.
57 Filibuster: A legislative strategy where debate is extended indefinitely, allowing one or more
members to delay or entirely prevent a vote.
58 Judicial Branch: The branch of the federal government responsible for interpreting laws,
determining their constitutionality, and ensuring they are applied fairly across all cases.
59 Precedent: The judicial decision, ruling, or opinion of a court that is used as law when deciding future
cases with similar issues or facts.
60 Regulations: Directives that assist federal agencies with implementing specific laws and enforcing
compliance.
61 Stare Decisis: The concept meaning to “to stand by things decided” that promotes consistency and
predictability in the legal system.
62 Statutes: Written laws designed to address specific issues, regulate various activities, or impose
sanctions.
63 Statutory Law: The collection of laws created by legislative bodies at the local, state, and federal
levels.
64 Adjudication: The formal process by which a judge or a panel of judges resolve disputes and render
decisions in legal cases.
65 Burden of Proof: The requirement to present clear and convincing facts that substantiate the
plaintiff’s claim(s) or allegation(s) made in legal proceedings.
66 Civil Law: The body of law that regulates disputes between natural persons, legal persons, or
between the two.
67 Criminal Law: The body of law that regulates conduct against the threat, harm, or endangerment
toward the safety and welfare of a person, including one’s self, one’s property, and society at large.
68 Defendant: A person or entity accused of wrongdoing in a court of law.
69 Discovery: The pre-trial stage in legal proceedings where both parties exchange relevant
information, documents, and evidence to prepare for trial.
70 Injunction: A court order that either prohibits specific actions or requires specific actions of one or
more parties.
71 Legal Person: An entity recognized by law as having the rights and obligations of a human being
(e.g., capable of owning assets, incurring liabilities, entering contracts, and taking legal action).
72 Merger: The strategic and contractual unification of two or more companies into a single business,
undertaken to increase their market presence, operational efficiency, and financial strength.
73 Miranda Warning: The constitutional requirement that law enforcement personnel inform individuals
in police custody of their Miranda rights prior to interrogation.
74 Negligence: The failure to use the level of care that a reasonable person would have exercised in a
similar situation, resulting in harm or damage to another party.
75 Plaintiff: A person or entity that alleges wrongdoing by another person or entity in a court of law.
76 Procedural Law: Establishes the rules for how cases are processed and adjudicated in the court
system.
77 Restitution: The monetary award to the non-offending party to compensate them for their loss,
damage, and/or injury.
78 Substantive Law: Establishes the rights and obligations of individuals and organizations and dictates
what acts are subject to judicial action.
79 Theft: Taking something without permission and with the intent to permanently keep it from the
owner.
80 Tort: A civil wrong or breach of duty to another person or entity that causes harm or loss.
81 Appeal: A petition to a higher court to reverse a trial court decision.
82 Case Assessment: Gathering relevant information, identifying applicable laws and regulations, and
assessing the strength and admissibility of evidence in a case.
83 Challenge for Cause: Excluding an unlimited number of specific jurors for demonstrated bias or
inability to be impartial.
84 Closing Arguments: The statements made by each party’s attorney that summarize the key points
of the case from their perspective and attempt to persuade the judge or jury to render a favorable
verdict.
85 Contempt: The crime of disobedience and disrespect towards the court punishable with fines and/or
imprisonment.
86 Cross-examination: When opposing counsel questions witnesses, intending to clarify testimony,
challenge credibility, and/or discredit their statements.
87 Deposition: A sworn, out-of-court oral statement of a witness, recorded for later use in court
proceedings.
88 Discovery: The pretrial process by which both parties exchange and obtain information pertinent to a
case.
89 Expert Witness: An individual who has the education or experience needed to provide specialized
knowledge on a topic.
90 Hearsay: An out-of-court statement offered in court to prove the truth of the matter asserted.
91 Interrogatory: A set of specific written questions directed by one party in a lawsuit to another, which
must be answered in writing and under oath.
92 Judgment: The decision of the court that resolves the disputes between parties in a civil case.
93 Jury: A group of citizens convened to deliberate and render a decision of guilt or innocence in a legal
case based on evidence presented during a trial.
94 Motion to Dismiss: The legal request to terminate a case before it goes to trial.
95 Motion to Suppress: The legal request to render specific evidence inadmissible from the trial
proceedings.
96 Opening Statement: The initial assertions by each party’s attorney that outline the facts of their case
to the judge or jury.
97 Pre-trial Hearing: The judicial process that determines the evidence presented, the witness
testimony heard, and the legal principles applied during the trial.
98 Pre-trial Motion: A formal request made to the court prior to trial, seeking specific rulings or orders
on various legal issues that can shape the scope and direction of the trial.
99 Peremptory Challenges: The exclusion of a limited number of jurors without stating a reason.
100 Procedural Law: The rules for how cases are processed and adjudicated in the court system.
101 Sentencing: The judicial process where a judge imposes a penalty on someone found guilty of a
crime, considering the offense's severity, the defendant’s past conduct, and other relevant
circumstances.
102 Settle: To resolve the legal matter outside of court through mutual agreement between the parties
involved.
103 Subpoena: A court order that compels a party to appear in court to give testimony or produce
documents relevant to the case.
104 Trial: The formal judicial process conducted in the presence of a judge and usually a jury to
determine guilt or liability in criminal or civil cases, respectively.
105 Verdict: The formal judgment made by a jury, judge, or panel of judges on the matters submitted to
them in a legal case that is announced out loud in the courtroom.
106 Witness: A person with first-hand knowledge of an event.