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