Judicial Branch Vocabulary

The person who sues another person or organization.

• plaintiff

• defendant

• civil case

• criminal case

The person or organization this is accused of wrongdoing.

• plaintiff

• defendant

• civil case

• criminal case

When the court hears a dispute about who is at fault or whether someone’s rights have been violated; lawsuits, bankruptcies, divorce court, etc.

• plaintiff

• defendant

• civil case

• criminal case

When the court hears about a law that has been broken; when the offended party is the government.

• plaintiff

• defendant

• civil case

• criminal case

When the outcome of the case is decided by a judge (or multiple judges), NOT by a group of your peers.

• jury trial

• bench trial

• trial court

• appellate court

This type of court hears cases for the first time (criminal or civil).

• jury trial

• bench trial

• trial court

• appellate court

This type of court reviews cases that have already been decided (criminal or civil).

• jury trial

• bench trial

• trial court

• appellate court

When the people who decide the case are not judges, but a group of your peers.

• jury trial

• bench trial

• trial court

• appellate court

If you file a lawsuit about an issue that falls under concurrent jurisdiction, where can your case be heard?

• state court

• federal court

• Both of the above.

• None of the above.

A judge who is using judicial restraint is drawing on ______ to make their ruling.

• Precedent

• The Holy Bible

• The New York Times

• All of the above.