Bill of Rights
Convicted
Being found by a court to have committed a crime
Double Jeopardy
Being tried twice for the same crime
2nd Amendment
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed
Hate Crime
Acts of violence toward a group because of race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation
Rights of the Accused
Amendments 4-8
Warrant
An order from a judge that authorizes police or other officials to take a certain action, such as searching someone's property
Sexual harassment
Any unwelcome sexual advance or behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment
9th Amendment
Citizens entitled to rights not listed in the Constitution
Militia
Civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army
Establishment Clause
Clause in the First Amendment that says the government may not establish an official religion
1st Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances
Defense
Defendant and his legal advisors collectively
8th Amendment
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted
4th Amendment
Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and sets out requirements for search warrants based on probable cause
Acquited
Pronounced not guilty of criminal charges
Cruel or unusual punishment
Punishment that does not fit the nature of the crime
Seminary Teachers
Religious School Teachers
Tuition
Money paid for instruction at a private school or college
3rd Amendment
No quartering of Soldiers
Perjury
False testimony under oath
Slander
False, oral statement that damages a person's reputation or character
Free Exercise Clause
First Amendment guarantee that citizens may freely engage in the religious activities of their choice
3 Basic Needs
Food, shelter, clothing
Indictment
Formal document written for a prosecuting attorney charging a person with some offense
Impartial
Free from undue bias or preconceived opinions
Prosecution
Government body that brings a criminal charge against a defendant who is accused of breaking one of its laws
Due Process
Government must follow the same fair rules in all cases brought to trial
Jury of Peers
Group of ordinary citizens who hear the case and decide whether the accused person is innocent or guilty
Loiter
Hang around or linger
Separation of Church & State
Idea that the government and religion should be separate, and not interfere in each other's affairs. In the United States, this idea is based on the First Amendment to the US Constitution, which states that the government cannot make any laws to establish a state religion or prohibit the free exercise of religion
Law-abiding Citizen
Person who does not break the law
Civil Case
Lawsuit brought against one person or group to enforce or protect a private right; prevent a private wrong (tort); or obtain compensation for a private wrong (tort). This is different from a criminal case, which involves the committing of a crime, or public wrong
Eminent Domain
Right of the state to take private property for public use
6th Amendment
Right to a speedy and public trial. right to a fair jury. right to know what you are being accused of. right to see/hear witnesses against you. right to have a witness to help defend you. right to a lawyer
7th Amendment
Right to a trial by jury in civil cases over $1,500 today
5th Amendment
Right to grand jury, indictment, no double jeopardy, freedom from self-incrimination, due process of law
Miranda Rights
Rights possessed by persons who are arrested by the police. (Remain silent, Attorney, etc.)
Unenumerated
Rights that are not expressly mentioned in the written text of a constitution but instead are inferred from the language, history, and structure of the constitution, or cases interpreting it
Hammurabi's Code
Set of 282 laws governing daily life in Babylon. The earliest known collection of written laws
Self Incrimination
Situation occurring when an individual accused of a crime is compelled to be a witness against himself or herself in court. The Fifth Amendment forbids self-incrimination
Defendant
Someone who has been accused of committing a crime
Bail
Sum of money used as a security deposit to ensure that an accused person returns for his or her trial
Quartering
Term refers to the housing and feeding of soldiers
10th Amendment
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people
Probable Cause
The situation occurring when the police have reason to believe that a person should be arrested. In making the arrest, the police are allowed legally to search for and seize incriminating evidence.
Terroristic Threats
Threatening to commit any crime of violence with the purpose of terrorizing another, causing the evacuation of a building or facility of public transportation, with reckless disregard of causing such terror
Libel
Written untruths that are harmful to someone's reputation