Chapter 14 Vocabulary

A system of law based on precedent and customs

• Common Law

• Case Law

• Criminal Law

• Civil Law

A law established by judicial decisions instead of by legislative action

• Case Law

• Civil Law

• Common Law

• Criminal Law

A law that punishes a person accused of a crime without a trial or a fair hearing in court

• Bill of Attainder

• Writ of Habeas Corpus

• Ex Post Facto Law

• Precedent

A legal action in which a person or group sues to collect damages for some harm that is done.

• Statute

• Due Process

• Precedent

• Lawsuit

Following legal procedures

• Due Process

• Lawsuit

• Exclusionary Rule

• Ex Post Facto Law

A law that would allow a person to be punished for an action that was not against the law when it was committed.

• Precedent

• Ex Post Facto Law

• Exclusionary Rule

• Bill of Attainder

A law written by a legislative branch

• Statute

• Writ of Habeas Corpus

• Exclusionary Rule

• Precedent

A court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why the person is being held

• Writ of Habeas Corpus

• Bill of Attainder

• Ex Post Facto Law

• Exclusionary Rule

A ruling used as the basis for a judicial decision in a later, similar case.

• Bill of Attainder

• Precedent

• Ex Post Facto Law

• Statute

Regulation that evidence gained by police in a way that violates the 4th Amendment may not be used in trial.

• Lawsuit

• Precedent

• Case Law

• Exclusionary Rule