Chapter 7: The Courts Flashcards
the three-tiered structure of the federal courts, comprising U.S. district courts, U.S. courts of appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court
Federal Court System
a state judicial structure and most states generally have at least three court levels – trial courts, appellate courts, and a state supreme court
State Court System
the territory, subject matter, or people over which a court may exercise lawful authority
Jurisdiction
the lawful authority of a court to hear or to act on a case from its beginning and to pass judgment on the law and the facts
Original Jurisdiction
the lawful authority of a court to review a decision made by a lower court
Appellate Jurisdiction
the request that a court with appellate jurisdiction review the judgment, most states have automatic appeal on death sentences or life in prison
Appeal
a low-level court that focuses on quality-of-life crimes that erode neighborhoods’ morale, that emphasizes problem-solving rather than punishment
Community Courts
a document guaranteeing the appearance of a defendant in court as required
Bail Bond
a law intended to prevent the pretrial release of criminal defendants judged to represent a danger to the community
Danger Laws
a group of juror who have been selected according to law and have been sworn to hear the evidence and to determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to bring the accused person to trial, hearings are held in secret and the defendant generally does not appear
The Grand Jury
the first appearance of the defendant before the court that has the authority to conduct a trial
Arraignment
the process of negotiating an agreement among the defendant, the prosecutor, and the court as to an appropriate plea and associated sentence in a given case
Plea Bargaining
