Civics Vocabulary
Jury
Definition - A body or group of people (typically twelve in number) sworn to give a verdict in a legal case on the basis of evidence submitted to them in court Synonyms - Board, Peers
Platform
Definition - A complete written statement outlining a political party's view on a collection of issues and describing the programs it proposes Synonyms - Vision, Program
Foreign Policy
Definition - A country's plan for dealing with other countries of the world Synonyms - International, Overseas
Plea
Definition - A formal statement by or on behalf of a defendant or prisoner, stating guilt or innocence in response to a charge, offering an allegation of fact, or claiming that a point of law should apply Synonyms - Claim, Excuse
Democracy
Definition - A government that is run by the people who live under it Synonyms - republic, egalitarianism
Committee
Definition - A group of people appointed to do a special thing Synonyms - Panel, Council
Interest Groups
Definition - A group of people drawn or acting together in support of a common interest or to voice a common concern and influence policy Synonyms - Lobbyists, Special Interests
Rights
Definition - A just claim, title, or privilege; something that is due a person Synonyms - entitlement, privilege
Session
Definition - A meeting of Congress Synonyms - Term, Conference
Republic
Definition - A nation or state in which the citizens elect representatives to manage the government Synonyms - commonwealth
Plaintiff
Definition - A person who brings a case against another in a court of law Synonyms - Accuser, Prosecutor
Candidate
Definition - A person who runs for election to public office Synonyms - Contestant, Politician
Jail
Definition - A place for the confinement of people accused or convicted of a crime Synonyms - Prison, Detention
Court
Definition - A place, a government institution that settles legal disputes and administers justice Synonyms - Bench, Tribunal
Budget
Definition - A plan of income and spending Synonyms - Money, Cost
Political Action Committee (PAC)
Definition - A political part of an interest group organized for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect or defeat candidates / parties Synonym - Fundraiser
Plank
Definition - A political party's specific proposal for legislation, or a statement of a short-term goal regarding a single issue; the components of a party platform Synonyms - Idea, Goal
Bill
Definition - A proposed law Synonyms - Idea, Draft
Judge
Definition - A public official that is appointed to decide cases in a court of law Synonyms - Magistrate, Arbiter
Law
Definition - A rule or regulation made by a country or state for all the people who live there to follow Synonyms - Act, Order
Damages
Definition - A sum of money awarded in compensation for loss or an injury Synonyms - Repayment, Reimbursement
Poll
Definition - A survey taken to measure public opinion Synonyms - Question, Sample
General Election
Definition - An election in which the voters elect their leaders Synonyms - Major, Final
Primary Election
Definition - An election in which voters of each party choose candidates to run for office in a general election Synonyms - Initial, First
Pardon
Definition - An official act by the president or by a governor forgiving a person convicted of a crime and freeing that person from serving out his or her sentence Synonyms - Excuse, Commute
Registrar
Definition - An official keeper of records made in a district Synonyms - Recorder, Historian
Secretary
Definition - An official who heads an executive department in the federal government Synonyms - Assistant, Leader
Responsibilities
Definition - Answerable and accountable, as for something within one's power, control, or management Synonyms - in control of, expectation
Bicameral
Definition - Consisting of two houses, as in a lawmaking body Synonyms - Two, Dual
Liberty
Definition - Freedom; the condition of being free from captivity, imprisonment, or slavery. Synonyms - independence, choice, autonomy
Juvenile
Definition - In most states, a person under age 18 Synonyms - Teenager, Child
Justices
Definition - Judges of the Supreme Court Synonyms - Mediator, Referee
Majority
Definition - Larger number, greater part, more than half Synonyms - Most, 51%
Criminal Law
Definition - Laws that govern people in which the government brings a case against a person accused of a crime (an act that breaks the law for which a punishment has been established) Synonyms - Illegal, Corrupt
Misdemeanor
Definition - Less serious crime Synonyms - Disorderly conduct, Violation
Precinct
Definition - Local voting districts in a county or city Synonyms - Area, Section, Region
Bail
Definition - Money or property an accused person gives a court to hold as a guarantee that he or she will appear for trial Synonyms - Collateral, Bond
Civil Law
Definition - Of or relating to the body of law that governs relationships among individuals and defines people's legal rights Synonyms - Personal, Contractual
Independent Agency
Definition - Organizations in the Executive Branch of the federal government formed by Congress to help enforce laws and regulations not covered by the executive departments Synonyms - Administration, Organization
Bias
Definition - Prejudice in favor or against one thing, person or group compared with another, usually in an unfair way Synonyms - Opinion, Slant
Veto
Definition - Refusal by the president or governor to sign a bill Synonyms - Deny, Prohibit
Arrest
Definition - Seize or stop someone by legal authority and take in custody Synonyms - Apprehend, Detain
Nomination
Definition - Selection of candidates to run for public office or support a candidate for election Synonyms - Choice, Recommendation
Felony
Definition - Serious crime Synonyms - Murder, Arson
Lobbyist
Definition - Someone that works for a corporation that tries to persuade members of Congress to vote for a certain bill Synonyms - Influencer, Consultant
Jurisdiction
Definition - The authority to interpret and administer the law; the range of that authority Synonyms - Power, Authority
Executive
Definition - The branch of government that enforces or carries out the law Synonyms - Enforces, Executes
Judicial
Definition - The branch of government that interprets the law Synonyms - Interpret, Clarify
Legislative
Definition - The branch of government that makes the law Synonyms - Lawmaker
Electoral College
Definition - The group of electors that casts the official votes to elect the president and vice president of the U.S. Synonym - Electors
Allegiance
Definition - The loyalty owed by a citizen to his country and government Synonyms - duty, obligation
Succession
Definition - The order in which the office of the president is to be filled if it becomes vacant Synonyms - Sequence, Continuity
Constituents
Definition - The people who live in a particular voting district Synonym - Voters
Judicial Review
Definition - The power of the US Supreme Court to determine if a law passed by Congress or a presidential action with the Constitution Synonyms - Reassessment, Appraisal
Arraignment
Definition - The process during which an accused person appears before a court to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty Synonyms - Accusation, Indictment
Gerrymandering
Definition - The process of drawing congressional district lines to favor a political party unfairly Synonyms - Cheat, Manipulate
Impeach
Definition - To charge a government official with misconduct Synonyms - Accuse, Blame
Citizen
Definition - a person who by birth or by choice is a member of a state or nation which gives him certain rights and which claims his loyalty Synonyms - voter, resident
Resident
Definition - a person who resides in a place for a period of time Synonyms - citizen, inhabitant
Preamble
Definition - a preliminary statement; introduction to a speech or a writing Synonyms - beginning, preface
Declaration
Definition - a very strong statement Synonyms - announcement, testimony
Fundamental
Definition - being an original or primary source Synonyms - necessary, essential
Respect
Definition - high regard; honor; esteem Synonyms - Appreciation, favor
Justice
Definition - just conduct; fair dealing Synonyms - fairness, equality, impartiality
Patriotism
Definition - love and loyal support of one's country Synonyms - allegiance, nationalism
Political
Definition - of, relating to, or concerned with politics Synonyms - civic, official
Courtesy
Definition - polite behavior; thoughtfulness for others Synonyms - Good manners; civility
Limited
Definition - restricted with reference to governing powers by limitations prescribed in laws and in a constitution Synonyms - bound, checked, restricted
Document
Definition - something written or printed that gives information and can be used as proof of some fact Synonyms - evidence, record
Trustworthiness
Definition - that can be depended on or trusted; deserving confidence; reliable Synonyms - dependable, honest
Indivisible
Definition - that cannot be divided Synonyms - inseparable, joined, unified
Immigration
Definition - the act of immigrating; coming into a foreign country or region to live Synonyms - to move, leave a country
Representation
Definition - the condition or fact of being represented Synonyms - elected, officeholder
Constitution
Definition - the fundamental principles according to which a nation, state, or group is governed Synonyms - structure, form
Due Process
Definition - the legal measures to which a person is entitled to protect himself and his interests Synonyms - authority, integrity
Naturalization
Definition - the process to admit (a foreigner) to citizenship Synonyms - acculturation, nationalization
Diversity
Definition - the state of being diverse; difference; unlikeness Synonyms - dissimilar, distinct, variance
Accountability
Definition - the state of being held responsible for carrying out one's obligations; responsibility Synonyms - liability, obedience
Civics
Definition - the study of duties, rights, and privileges of citizens Synonyms - government, politics
Participation
Definition - to have a share; take part; share in an undertaking Synonyms - engage, join
Consent
Definition - to permit, approve, or agree Synonyms - approval, authorize, allow
Defendant
Definitions - An individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law Synonyms - Suspect, Accused