Chapter 16 Vocabulary - Civil and Criminal Law

Juvenile Delinquent

A child or teenager who commits a serious crime or repeatedly breaks the law

Complaint

A formal notice that a lawsuit is being brought

Arraignment

A hearing in which a suspect is charged and pleads guilty or not guilty

Hung Jury

A jury that cannot agree on a verdict

Summons

A notice directing someone to appear in court to answer a complaint or a charge

Juvenile

A person not yet legally an adult

Penal Code

A state's written criminal laws

Acquittal

A vote of not guilty

Crime

An act that breaks a law and causes harm to people or society in general

Settlement

In a legal case, the amount of money the defendant agrees to pay the plaintiff

Prosecution

Party who starts the legal proceedings against another party for a violation of the law

Discovery

Process by which attorneys have opportunity to check facts and gather evidence

Mandatory Sentence

Punishment that the judges must impose according to what the law directs

Testimony

The statement a witness makes under oath

Rehabilitate

To correct a person's behavior

Parole

To grant a prisoner an early release from prison, with certain restrictions

Cross-Examine

To question a witness at a trial or a hearing to check or discredit the testimony