Plaintiff: The person or party who starts a civil lawsuit
Defendant: The person or party being sued or accused
Prosecutor: Lawyer who brings criminal charges for the government
Defense attorney: Lawyer who represents the accused
Judge: Official who presides over a court
Jury: Group of citizens who decide the facts of a case
Grand jury: Jury that decides whether there is enough evidence to bring charges
Petit jury: Trial jury that decides a case
Verdict: A jury's or judge's decision on a case
Sentence: The punishment ordered after conviction
Civil law: Law about disputes between private parties
Criminal law: Law about offenses against society
Felony: A serious crime, usually punishable by more than a year in prison
Misdemeanor: A less serious crime
Infraction: A minor violation, like a traffic ticket
Statute: A law passed by a legislature
Common law: Law developed from court decisions
Precedent: An earlier ruling that guides later cases
Jurisdiction: A court's authority to hear a case
Venue: The location where a case is heard
Appeal: Asking a higher court to review a decision
Appellant: The party who appeals
Appellee: The party who responds to an appeal
Burden of proof: The duty to prove a claim
Beyond a reasonable doubt: The standard of proof in criminal cases
Preponderance of the evidence: The usual civil standard: more likely than not
Clear and convincing evidence: A standard higher than preponderance but lower than beyond a reasonable doubt
Evidence: Information presented to prove or disprove facts
Testimony: Statements given under oath
Hearsay: An out-of-court statement offered for its truth, generally restricted as evidence
Witness: Person who gives testimony
Subpoena: A court order to appear or produce documents
Deposition: Sworn testimony taken outside court
Affidavit: A written statement sworn to be true
Oath: A solemn promise to tell the truth
Perjury: Lying under oath
Objection: A lawyer's formal protest against a question or evidence
Sustained: Judge agrees with an objection
Overruled: Judge rejects an objection
Plea: A defendant's formal answer to charges
Plea bargain: An agreement to plead guilty for a lighter outcome
Arraignment: Hearing where charges are read and a plea entered
Indictment: Formal charge issued by a grand jury
Bail: Money or bond to secure release before trial
Probation: Supervised release instead of prison
Parole: Early supervised release from prison
Acquittal: Finding that a defendant is not guilty
Conviction: A finding or plea of guilty
Mistrial: A trial ended without a verdict due to a serious problem
Hung jury: A jury unable to reach a decision
Double jeopardy: Being tried twice for the same crime, generally prohibited
Miranda rights: Warnings police give about the right to remain silent and have a lawyer
Search warrant: Court order allowing police to search a place
Probable cause: Reasonable grounds to believe a crime has occurred
Due process: Fair legal procedures required by law
Habeas corpus: A court order to bring a detained person before a judge
Tort: A civil wrong causing harm
Negligence: Failure to take reasonable care, causing harm
Liability: Legal responsibility
Damages: Money awarded to compensate for harm
Punitive damages: Money awarded to punish wrongdoing
Injunction: A court order to do or stop doing something
Settlement: An agreement resolving a dispute without a trial
Summary judgment: A ruling without a full trial when facts are not in dispute
Class action: A lawsuit brought on behalf of a large group
Contract: A legally enforceable agreement
Offer: A proposal to make a contract
Acceptance: Agreement to the terms of an offer
Consideration: Something of value exchanged in a contract
Breach of contract: Failing to perform as promised
Statute of limitations: Deadline for bringing a lawsuit
Void: Having no legal effect
Voidable: Valid unless canceled by one party
Libel: Written false statement harming reputation
Slander: Spoken false statement harming reputation
Defamation: False statement that damages a reputation
Copyright: Legal protection for original creative works
Trademark: Protection for brand names and logos
Patent: Exclusive right to an invention for a time
Intellectual property: Creations of the mind protected by law
Will: Document stating how property goes after death
Estate: All property a person owns
Probate: Court process to validate a will and distribute an estate
Intestate: Dying without a valid will
Executor: Person named to carry out a will
Trust: Arrangement where one holds property for another's benefit
Power of attorney: Legal authority to act on another's behalf
Guardian: Person appointed to care for someone unable to care for themselves
Easement: Right to use another's land for a purpose
Deed: Document transferring property ownership
Lien: Claim on property as security for a debt
Mortgage: Loan secured by real estate
Landlord: Owner who rents property
Tenant: Person who rents property
Eminent domain: Government's power to take private property for public use with compensation
Pro bono: Legal work done for free for the public good
Pro se: Representing oneself in court

Free flashcards from Peabody at peabody.kids/flashcards/tp-law-terms