Judicial Branch Vocab

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Crime

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Any act that breaks the law and for which a punishment has been established.

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Criminal law

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The body of law that regulates the conduct of individuals as members of the state.

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Civil law

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The body of law that governs relationships among individuals and defines people's legal rights.

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Precedent

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An earlier court decision that guides judges' decisions in later cases.

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Constitutional law

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Law based on the U.S. Constitution and Supreme Court decisions.

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Appeal

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The right of the convicted person to ask a higher court to review his or her case.

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Jurisdiction

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The authority to interpret and administer the law; also, the range of that authority.

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District courts

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Lower federal courts that have original jurisdiction in most cases involving federal laws.

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Original jurisdiction

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The authority of a court to be the first court to hold trials in certain kinds of cases.

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Courts of appeals

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Federal courts that review decisions appealed from district courts.