Plaintiff

Misdemeanor

A crime punishable by a fine and/or less than one year in jail.

Felony

A crime resulting in over one year in jail, Usually a violent crime

Appellate jurisdiction

The court that hears the case on appeal drom a lower court.

Original jurisdiction

The first court to hear the case.

Jurisdiction

The official power to make legal decisions and judgements

Plaintiff

The person who files the law suit.

Defendant

The person whom the complaint is made.

Precedent

a judicial decision that serves as a guide for settling later cases of a similar nature.

Civil case

involves a dispute which is not a criminal matter

Criminal case

the defendant is tried for committing a crime