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