Court System vocabulary

A court’s decision that the accused is NOT guilty.

• Bail

• Acquittal

• Arraignment

• Capital punishment

Arraignment –

• Death sentence for severe crimes, such as murder.

• Security, usually a sum of money, exchanged for the release of an arrested person

• To break the law. 

• A hearing at which a suspect is formally charged and pleads guilty or not guilty.

Felony-

• A major crime punishable by more than one year in prison

• A person who is accused of a crime or is being sued

• The unlawful killing of another human being

• Crime

The lawyer representing the accused person in criminal or civil case-

• Judge

• Prosecutor

• Defense Attorney

• Magistrate

The betrayal of one's country by waging war or aiding its enemies

• Crime

• Prosecutor

• Suit

• Treason

Unconstitutional

• In conflict with the Constitution

• The decision of a judge or a jury in a trial

• The formal complaint to the court in civil case

• also called a summons

Witness-

• An official in a district court who issues court orders

• Subpoena

• Anyone who testifies in a court or at a hearing

• Misdemeanor

When a person accused of a crime releases their statement of guilty or not guilty during arraignment

• Magistrate

• Larceny

• Plea

• Probable Cause

The power of the Supreme Court to review federal and state laws and decide whether they agree with the Constitution

• Judicial Review

• Homicide

• Plea bargain

• bail

Jurisdiction-

• A group of 7-12 citizens what are chosen by the attorneys to hear a case

• The boundaries of a court's authority to hear and decide a case in a court

• Magistrate

• A minor crime