US Government and Politics

Legal Glossary

Natural rights

 

Fundamental rights

 

Magna Carta (1215)

 

English Common Law:

a) trial by peers

b) habeas corpus

c) common or "judge made" law

d) stare decisis

e) adversary system

f) presumption of innocence

 

Torts:

a) plaintiff

b) negligence

c) product liability

d) libel and slander

e) punitive damages

f) compensatory damages

g) contingency fee

 

pro bono case

 

Federal crimes:

a) treason

b) espionage

c) crossing state lines while a fugitive

d) bank robbery

e) kidnapping

f) bomb threat

g) denying civil rights

h) hate crime

 

reverse discrimination (preferential treatment)

 

State Courts:

a) Small Claims

b) Municipal

c) Superior

 

Federal Courts:

a) U.S. District Courts

b) U.S. Courts of Appeals

c) U.S. Supreme Court

 

Opinion of the Court:

a) majority

b) concurring

c) dissenting

 

the rule of four

 

amicus curiae brief

 

strict constructionist (conservative)

 

litmus test

 

Burden of proof:

a) beyond reasonable doubt (criminal cases)

b) preponderance of evidence (civil cases)

 

due process

 

circumstantial evidence

 

perjury

 

insanity defense

 

restraining order

 

citizens arrest

 

plea bargaining

 

statute of limitations

 

The Bill of Rights