Legal authority a court or government has over a certain area or people
Original Jurisdiction
The right of a court to hear a case for the first time
Appeal
Asking a higher court to reverse a decision of a lower court
Appellate Jurisdiction
The review of a case that has already been heard and decided upon by a lower court
Judicial Review
The concept that something the executive or legislative branch does can be overturned by the judicial branch
Felony
A very serious crime (e.g. manslaughter, murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping)
Misdemeanor
A small crime that often results in the payment of a finerather than jail time (e.g. assault, shoplifting, and petty theft)
Juvenile
A person under the age of 18 in legal terms
Civil Suit
One person suing another person or business in hopes of getting a financial settlement to pay for damages
Probable Cause
The justification required for the police to obtain a warrant for the arrest of a suspected individual or to conduct a search
Warrant
A legal document issued by a judge or a magistrate that authorizeslaw enforcementofficers to carry out a particular action related to the administration of justice
Bail
The amount of money that a defendant must post in order to be released from custody until their trial
Arraignment
A legal proceeding where a defendant is formally advised of the charges against them and is asked to enter a plea
Plaintiff
The party who initiates a lawsuit against the defendant
Defendant
The party against whom a legal action is brought, typically in a civil case or a criminal prosecution
Due Process of Law
The legal requirement that the state must respect all the legal rights that are owed to a person
The 3 federal courts are:
1. US Supreme Court
2. US Court of Appeals
3. US District Court
The only federal court with a jury is US District Court
The 5 Virginia state courts are:
1. Virginia Supreme Court
2. Virginia Court of Appeals
3. Circuit Court
4. General District Court
5. Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court
The only Virginia court with a jury is Circuit Court
A trial with no jury is called a bench trial
In a criminal case, the government brings charges against the defendant through a prosecutor, as crimes are seen as offenses against society.
A civil case is a legal action involving disputes between two or more persons, businesses, or a government agency. In a civil case, the legal action or complaint is brought by a plaintiff. The defendant is the person or organization being sued.
Plaintiff
the party who sues in a civil case
Prosecutor
The party who sues in a criminal case
Plea
formal response made by a defendant in court when facing criminal charges