Although Stella Liebeck won her suit against McDonald's for their too hot coffee, the media and many Americans saw it as a frivolous lawsuit that illustrated how Americans would sue over common sense things.

The person who initially brings a case against another individual or party, accusing them of wrongdoing.

The person who is accused of wrongdoing in a civil case.

A motion filed by a person or party against accusing another person or party of wrongdoing that contains facts and names of the accused person.

A court issued document calling the person accused in a civil case to court.

After being summoned by the court, the accused person can issue one of these that answers the plaintiff's claims by admitting to some (if any) of the claims and disputing any others.

In the pre-trial phase, this is the process where the two (or more) parties involved in a civil case gather information to prove their side of the case including: witnesses, written documents, and other pertinent information.

In the pre-trial phase, this process involves questioning witnesses under oath. Both sides may question the witnesses and the interviews are often taped or transcribed to be included in the trial.

Civil cases that are solved outside of a trial by using a court-appointed mediator to meet with both sides of the case and work on reaching an agreement.

Civil cases that are solved between both of the parties involved before a trial when they reach an agreement with each other.

In some civil cases, the evidence and legal theories of each side may be weighed and found insufficient to require a trial. These cases may be solved through written documents outside of a trial. This evaluation process is called?

A civil case where the plaintiff and defendant present their evidence to a judge who weighs it to make a decision.

A civil case where the plaintiff and defendant make their case to a jury of impartial citizens who will determine the verdict. This can be requested by either side of the case.

When a decision or verdict is reached in a civil case, the losing party will be asked to pay a certain amount of money to the winner of the trial. This court ordered payment is referred to as?

When a decision or verdict is reached, individuals can make requests to have the verdict set aside or modified based on: errors in the legal procedure, insufficient evidence on issues, or errors in jury instruction. These requests are called?

When a decision or verdict is reached, the losing party has the right to challenge the ruling within a month. This is called an?

The rate of homicides in the United States is seven times that of most other nations in the world.

Principles that are applicable to all crimes within a society, including complicity and liability for incomplete crimes.

Particular crimes that are specifically defined with what they entail. Ex: murder requires that someone was killed.

When someone is partner to any wrongdoing, this is called?

When a crime is interrupted or fails, a person can still be held criminally accountable for the attempt. These are considered to be?

Serious crimes that are punishable by a year or more in prison. Ex: murder, grand theft auto, etc.

Moderate crimes that are punishable with less than a year in jail. Ex: public intoxication, petty theft, etc.

Small infractions that usually are punished with fines. Ex: traffic violations like speeding.

The actual act of committing a crime.

Ex: killing someone

The intent to commit a crime.

Ex: planning to kill someone

The act of making a harmful event occur.

Ex: Causing someone's death.

The physical or mental injury that results from a criminal act.

Ex: A person dying from your actions.

These types of crime require actus reus, mens rea, and concurrence for someone to be convicted of them.

Ex: Car theft

These types of crime require actus reus, mens rea, concurrence, causation, and harm for someone to be convicted of them.

Ex: Murder

These agents of the criminal justice system gather evidence, find and arrest offenders, and may be called as witnesses during a trial.

A person accused of violating the law. They have the right to remain silent about their potential involvement in a crime and will need to work with their attorney to achieve the best possible outcome for themselves.

The person directly responsible for the crime that plan and execute it.

An offender that was present when a crime is committed, but didn't participate, like a get-away driver.

A person that assists an offender after a crime is committed.

A person that aids another in committing a crime before the crime is committed.

The person who the crime was committed against that has the right to be informed about the court proceedings, can attend the trial, and may testify in court against the defendant.

The legal counsel that prepares the case for and assists the accused offender throughout the trial. They need to find witnesses and evidence to make the case for the defendant, study pertinent case law, and ensure the rights of the defendant are protected.

The legal counsel for the government that argues on behalf of the victim in order to protect society from the accused offender. They are responsible for gathering witnesses and evidence to prove the offender is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

People who are called to give testimony (a statement under oath) about what they saw or what they know about the crime. They may be called to support the case for either side and can be cross-examined by the other side.

Twelve ordinary citizens given the task of deciding what actually happened based on the evidence and reaching a verdict on whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty.

The head of the officers of the court that is the moderator for all the actions that occur during the trial. They ensure both sides of the case fall within the parameters of the legal code and outline necessary corrections if a guilty verdict is delivered by determining sentencing.

After a crime is committed, this takes place as local authorities compile evidence, eyewitness testimony, and financial records related to the crime.

A legal document that allows police to arrest someone, search a premises, and seize related evidence.

Legal rights that must be read to offenders when they are arrested that explain their right to remain silent and their right to an attorney.

An amount of money determined by a judge that can be paid to secure an accused offender's release until the date of their trial.

For minor offenses, judges may determine this outcome instead of jail time which can include community service or another type of program like rehabilitation.

A plea that a defendant enters admitting that they committed the crime that directly leads to sentencing and bypasses a trial. Defendants often choose this as part of a plea deal made with the prosecution.

A plea that a defendant enters claiming they didn't commit the crime or that circumstances make them not responsible for a crime. This will lead to a courtroom trial.

A plea that a defendant enters admitting to the facts of the crime, but not their guilt. This can avoid a trial if a defendant believes they cannot win the case, but allows the possibility of future appeals.

Preliminary hearings where probable cause is determined by a jury instead of a judge.

Agreements made between defendants and the prosecution where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence.

The first step of a criminal trial where each side briefly explains their case and what they will prove during the trial.

The part of the case where both sides will present their witnesses and evidence and the other side will have a chance to cross-examine.

The part of the case where each side wraps up their arguments, trying to impress on the jury or judge why their case was stronger than the opposition's.

The part of the trial where a judge explains to the jury what their job is and the exact nature of the laws which they will determine a verdict for related to the case.

The last part of a trial where, after deliberations, the jury or judge states the decision that they made on whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty. In criminal cases, this decision needs to be unanimous.

A collection of facts that prove (or disprove) a particular point for one side of the case.

Facts that directly prove or disprove a side of the case where no explanation is needed (they speak for themselves.)

Information related to the arguments for a side of the case that requires a judge or jury to make an inference to consider it, like when a claim is made that a defendant was not home when the crime occurred, so they may have been committing the crime.

Information related to the arguments for a side of the case that requires a judge or jury to make an inference to consider it, like when a claim is made that a defendant was not home when the crime occurred, so they may have been committing the crime.

Involves searing a suspect's residence and confiscating evidence, which often requires a warrant due to the protections provided by the Fourth Amendment.

When a suspect is stopped for a search randomly. This policy has been challenged in some instances as a violation of the Fourth Amendment due to potential profiling.

If evidence is collected without a warrant, a judge may rule it is inadmissible due to violations of the Fourth Amendment. This is referred to as the?

In 1920, the Silverthorne Lumber Co. v United States ruling mentioned that illegally collected evidence is tainted and can't be admitted into the case. This ruling has come to be referred to as the?

The prosecution has the burden of proof in criminal cases and must clearly prove to the jury that the defendant is guilty with the evidence. This is meant to ensure that the defendant is guilty. A jury or judge must rule that the defendant is guilty ____________________.

If a defendant cannot afford an attorney, they may be assigned one of these publicly assigned lawyers who are responsible for defending them.

Due to many defendants being assigned public defenders who have too large of case loads, many defendants may be ushered through the criminal justice system without having a proper defense. This may force them to take a plea bargain or for innocent people to be convicted due to improper defenses. This issue in our criminal justice system is sometimes referred to as?

On rare occasions, a judge may rule based on the facts in the case that counsel for the defense is inefficient. This is referred to as?

Once a verdict is given, if a defendant plead not guilty or no contest, they may attempt to have a review of their case if they argue that there was a legal error or misconduct in their original trial.

If a guilty verdict is reached, judges determine a sentence and the punishment that comes with that ruling. This sentence and the system that enforces it is referred to as?

The initial step in the criminal case process where evidence is gathered and a suspect is detained.

The step in the criminal case process where the prosecution brings evidence against the defendant to a judge or grand jury who determine if there is enough evidence against the defendant to proceed.

The step in the criminal case process after a defendant is indicted when the defendant will enter their plea. If it is a guilty plea, it will move towards sentencing. If it is a not guilty plea, it will proceed towards a trial.

The step in the criminal case process where both sides of the case make their arguments and present their evidence to a jury or judge in an attempt to win the case for their side.

The last step in a criminal case that has gone to trial where a defendant was found guilty. This step starts with a judge sentencing the convicted offender and could lead to future appeals.

Plea bargains can be reached at any point in the criminal case process.

What Amendment in the Bill of Rights protects US citizens from illegal search and seizures by requiring warrants in most circumstances.

What Amendment in the Bill of Rights protects US citizens from having to incriminate themselves?

What Amendment in the Bill of Rights protects US citizens right to a fair and speedy trial?