Chapter 15 terms

The branch of law that regulates the conduct of individuals, defines crimes, and specifies punishment to criminal acts

The individual or organization who brings complaint in court

The one against whom a complaint is brought in a criminal or civil case

The branch of law that deals with disputes that do not involve criminal penalties

Prior case whose principles are used by judges as the basis for their decision in a present case

Literally, “let the decision stand.” The doctrine that a previous decision by a court applies as a precedent in similar cases until that decision is overruled

The first court to hear a criminal or civil case

A court that hears appeals of trial court decisions

A negotiated agreement in a criminal case in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty in return for the state’s agreements to reduce the severity of the criminal charge or prison sentence the defendant is facing

Code used in many states in the area of contract of law to reduce interstate differences in judicial decisions

The sphere of a court’s power and authority

The right of every citizen against arbitrary action by national or state government

A court order that the individual in custody be brought into court and shown the cause for detention. Habeas corpus is guaranteed by the Constitution and can be suspended only in cases of rebellion or invasion

Justice on the Supreme Court who presides over the Court’s public sessions

The practice whereby the president, before formally nominating a person for a federal judgeship, seeks the indication that the senators from the candidate’s own state support the nomination

The requirement, articulated by the Supreme Court in Miranda v. Arizona, that persons under arrest must be informed prior to police interrogation of their rights to remain silent and to havethebenefit of legal counsel

The right of an individual or organization to initiate a court case, on the basis of their having a substantial stake in the outcome

A criterion used by courts to screen cases that no longer require resolution

A decision of at least four of the nine Supreme court justices to review a decision of a lower court; from the Latin “to make more certain”

The top government lawyer in all cases before the Supreme Court where the government is a party

A brief, unsigned decision by an appellate court, usually rejecting a petition to review the decision of a lower court

Literally, “friend of the court”; individuals or groups who are not parties to a lawsuit but who seek to assist S.C. in reaching a decision by presenting additional briefs

A written document in which attorneys explain, using case precedents, why the court should find in favor of their client

Stage in S.C. procedure in which attorneys for both sides appear before the court to present their positions and answer questions posed by justices