Kinds of Laws and Lawmaking

Laws that define and regulate behaviors considered harmful to society

• Criminal laws
• Civil laws
• Civil action
• Misdemeanors

Serious crimes punishable by imprisonment for more than one year

• Misdemeanors
• Bill
• Statutes
• Felonies

Lesser offenses punishable by fines, probation, or imprisonment for up to one year

• Criminal laws
• Defendant
• Statutes
• Misdemeanors

Laws that govern disputes between individuals or organizations

• Civil laws
• Judicial review
• Defendant
• Statutes

A legal proceeding initiated by a plaintiff against a defendant in a civil court

• Prosecutor
• Civil laws
• Misdemeanors
• Civil action

The individual or entity being accused or sued in a legal proceeding

• Federalism
• Plaintiff
• Defendant
• Civil laws

The individual or entity who initiates a lawsuit or brings a legal claim against another party

• Prosecutor
• Plaintiff
• Veto
• Civil action

A legal professional who represents the government or state in criminal cases

• Burden of proof
• Federalism
• Bill
• Prosecutor

The high standard of proof required in criminal cases

• Federalism
• Misdemeanors
• Criminal laws
• Beyond a reasonable doubt

The responsibility of a party to provide sufficient evidence to support their claims

• Civil action
• Burden of proof
• Separation of powers
• Veto