Unit 1: Intro to Law Vocabulary

3. the branch of law dealing with crimes and their punishment.
4. conflicting with some provision of the Constitution.
8. Law all law that does not involve criminal matters, such as tort and contract law. Civil law usually deals with private rights of individuals, groups, and businesses.
9. the level of proof required to convict a person of a crime. It does not mean “convinced 100 percent,”
10. the state or federal government’s attorney in a criminal case.
11. the person against whom a claim is made. In a civil suit, the defendant is the person being sued; in a criminal case, the defendant is the person charged with committing a crime.
12. a serious criminal offense punishable by a prison sentence of more than one year.
13. prohibited; in government,(i.e. to prevent the bill from becoming a law).

1. in a civil case, the injured party who brings legal action against the alleged wrongdoer.
2. the first ten amendments to the Constitution, which guarantee basic individual rights to all persons in the United States.
5. the power of each of the three branches of government (legislative, judicial, executive) to limit the other branches’ power, so as to prevent an abuse.
6. the study of law and legal philosophy.
7. a criminal offense, less serious than a felony, punishable by a prison sentence of one year or less.