Essential Criminal Court Vocab Flash Cards

Eighth Amendment

• Bans excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishments.

• Guarantees the right to a speedy trial.

• Protects against self-incrimination.

• Ensures the right to bear arms.

Due Process

• Constitutional guarantee of fair legal procedures (5th and 14th Amendments).

• A legal principle that allows for the immediate arrest of suspects without a trial.

• A requirement for all laws to be written in plain language for public understanding.

• A system that ensures all citizens receive equal treatment under the law.

Grand Jury

• A group of citizens deciding on civil cases.

• Citizens reviewing evidence to issue an indictment for serious crimes.

• A panel of judges overseeing criminal trials.

• A jury that determines the guilt or innocence of a defendant.

Impartial Jury

• Unbiased jury guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment.

• A jury that is influenced by public opinion.

• A jury that is selected based on the defendant's background.

• A jury that is composed only of the defendant's peers.

Prosecutor

• Government lawyer bringing charges and proving guilt.

• Defense attorney representing the accused.

• Judge overseeing the trial proceedings.

• Bailiff maintaining order in the courtroom.

Plea Bargain

• Agreement where defendant pleads guilty for reduced charges or sentence.

• A legal process where a defendant is tried by a jury.

• A type of plea that is always accepted by the court.

• An agreement to serve a sentence without trial.

Closing Arguments

• Final trial statements by lawyers summarizing evidence and urging a favorable ruling.

• Initial statements made by witnesses during a trial.

• The judge's instructions to the jury before deliberation.

• The opening remarks made by the prosecution in a criminal case.

Arrest

• Taking a person into custody based on probable cause they committed a crime.

• A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime.

• The act of detaining someone without legal justification.

• A process of gathering evidence against a suspect.

Fourth Amendment

• Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring probable cause for warrants.

• Allows for searches without a warrant in emergency situations.

• Permits law enforcement to conduct searches based on suspicion alone.

• Requires a warrant for all types of searches, regardless of circumstances.

Discovery

• Pretrial exchange of evidence and information between prosecution and defense.

• A process of jury selection in a trial.

• The final arguments presented by both sides in a trial.

• The sentencing phase after a guilty verdict.