neutral panels established by government agencies to settle a variety of
disputes among different parties of people and businesses
transfer of a case from a lower to a higher level for a new hearing
party initiating a lawsuit against an organization or individual
party denying or defending against allegations made by the plaintiff
person against whom a crime has been committed
represents the defendant and ensures the defendant is protected according to
the law
officer in charge of the court proceeding; ensures all evidence used in the trial
is legal, instructs the jury and typically provides the sentence when a defendant
is convicted
attorney who is hired or appointed by the state or federal government to
represent the plaintiff or the state
court officer responsible for giving out subpoenas, escorting defendants from
jail to the courtroom, representing the jury to the judge and protecting safety of
all in the courtroom
records the official record of the trial; these word-for-word transcripts are used
in appeals
responsible for deciding what is true in a case and in a criminal case, deciding
whether or not the defendant has committed a crime
dispute between two or more parties consisting of the first party, or plaintiff,
accusing the second party, or defendant, of causing injury or damage to the
plaintiff; reasonable doubt is not required
law has been broken requiring the state to bring charges against the offender;
there must not be any reasonable doubt of guilt
only hear civil cases; hear cases involving a limited amount of money; only
allow damages of up to $3,000 to be recovered
when one party fails to perform under the requirements of a valid agreement
with another party (contracts can be written or verbal)
decide more than 95 percent of the nation’s legal cases; can handle cases
which may appeal all the way to the federal court level if a federal issue is
involved; are divided into trial courts and appellate courts
hear all criminal cases other than minor offenses; can also be called county,
district, superior, circuit or common pleas courts; keep thorough formal records
of proceedings in order to have documentation if needed for appeals; do not
have a limitation on the dollar amount of damages
considered a reviewing court and determine appeals from the decisions of the
trial courts; are generally called Supreme Courts of the State as they are the
highest level of court system within a state
series of formal, written statements in which the plaintiff and defendant both
state claims for defense regarding the matter being disputed
argument between the two parties regarding the events which took place and
caused the lawsuit to arise
argument between the two parties in regards to which legal rules apply to the
facts stated in the pleading
occurs when parties disclose any evidence obtained proving the argued facts;
used to push for settlements between parties so trial does not have to take
place or to make trials more effective
occurs when the judge determines there is no issue of fact or law, effectively
ending the case
includes the right of each party to obtain and present witnesses and evidence
(such as documents and physical objects)
final ruling by the judge based on the evidence presented in the discovery,
often requested by the defendant to avoid going to trial
agreement between the plaintiff and the defendant to end the dispute
introduces the evidence and facts from the pleadings and pretrial procedure
and determines the outcome of the case
process of choosing potential jurors by disqualifying biased people who cannot
be neutral or fair
consists of opening statements by attorneys, direct and cross-examination of
witnesses and closing arguments by attorneys
jury’s final decision based on all of the facts and evidence presented in the trial
to be released from criminal charges
first official court appearance for the defendant; used to inform defendant of
official criminal charges, take defendants plea, negotiate bail if necessary and
set up dates for further proceedings
plea used when defendant agrees with the facts of the crime but does not
believe they are guilty, most commonly used to prevent guilty pleas from being
used in civil court cases
having control or authority over someone or something
error of fact considered so incorrect it is determined to be an error of law
modify the judgment if considered necessary
send the judgment back to the lower court
keep the decision of the lower court in effect
grant of property right to an inventor
word, name, symbol or device used by manufacturers or merchants to identify
and distinguish their goods from those of others
request by either of the parties for a higher court to review a case from a lower
court; must be filed within a certain time frame
request made by the appellate court to reexamine the case
highest level in the United States court system; consists of a Chief Justice and
eight associate justices
explains and applies laws by hearing legal trials and making rulings on them
contains the fundamental laws of the United States
holds a lifetime position unless he/she makes the decision to step down; is
appointed by the president; is the head of the United States federal court
system
judge who handles minor legal issues, such as misdemeanors, small claims,
traffic matters, marriage ceremonies, etc.