Civics Key Vocab. YEAR LONG

Judicial Review

• The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

• The ability of the executive branch to veto legislation.

• The process by which laws are created and enacted.

• The authority of the legislature to amend the constitution.

Line of Succession

• The process of electing a new leader.

• The order of individuals who will succeed to a particular office.

• A method of appointing officials based on merit.

• The rules governing the conduct of officials.

Plaintiff

• A person who brings a case against another in a court of law.

• A legal term for a defendant in a lawsuit.

• An individual who provides testimony in court.

• A lawyer representing a client in a trial.

Miranda v. Arizona

• Supreme Court case that established Miranda rights for those arrested.

• A landmark case that ruled on the legality of search and seizure.

• A Supreme Court decision regarding the right to bear arms.

• A case that addressed the issue of voting rights.

Judiciary

• The system of courts that interprets and applies the law.

• A legislative body that creates laws.

• A group of individuals who enforce laws.

• An executive branch that administers laws.

Prime Minister

• The head of an elected government; chief executive of a parliamentary system.

• A member of the legislative body who represents a specific region.

• The leader of the opposition party in parliament.

• A ceremonial figurehead with no real power.

Limited Government

• A government with unlimited powers

• A government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

• A government that controls all aspects of life

• A government that is elected by the people but has no restrictions

Jurisdiction

• The authority to enforce laws within a specific area.

• The official power to make legal decisions and judgments.

• The process of reviewing a legal case by a higher court.

• The ability to negotiate treaties with foreign nations.

Principles

• Fundamental truths that serve as the foundation for a system of belief.

• Random ideas that have no basis in reality.

• Common misconceptions that people often believe.

• Trivial facts that are easily forgotten.

Opinion

• A statement by a judge or court of the reasoning behind their decision.

• A personal belief that is not based on facts.

• A legal document that outlines the rules of a case.

• A summary of the evidence presented in court.