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48 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
The Pleading
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series of formal, written statements in which the plaintiff and defendant both state their claims for their defense regarding the matter which is being disputednd the dispute
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Issue of Factto e
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argument between the two parties regarding the events which took place which caused the lawsuit to arise
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Issue of Law
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argument between the two parties in regards to which legal rules apply to the facts stated in the pleading
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Pretrial Procedure
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occurs when parties must disclose any evidence they have to prove the argued facts (used to push for settlements between parties so trial does not have to take place or to make trials more effective)
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Judgment on Pleadings
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occurs when the judge determines there is no issue of fact or law; effectively ending the case
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Discovery
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includes the right of each party to obtain and present witnesses and evidence (such as documents and physical objects)
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Summary Judgment
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final ruling by the judge based on the evidence found in the discovery; often requested by the defendant to avoid going to trial
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The Trial
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introduces the evidence and facts from the pleadings and pretrial procedure and determines the outcome of the case
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Jury Selection
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process of choosing potential jurors by weeding out biased people who cannot be neutral or fair
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Court Systems
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neutral panels established by government agencies to settle a variety of disputes among different parties of people and businesses
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Settlement
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agreement between the plaintiff and the defen
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Plaintiff
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party which actually initiates a lawsuit against an organization or individual
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Defendant
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party denying or defending themselves against allegations made by the plaintiff
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Prosecutor
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attorney who is hired or appointed by the state or federal government to represent the plaintiff or the state
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Bailiff
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court officer responsible for giving out subpoenas, escorting defendants from jail to the courtroom and representing the jury to the judge
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Court Reporter
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records the official record of the trial; these word-for-word transcripts are used in appeals
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Small Claims Courts
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hear cases involving a limited amount of money; only allow damages of up to $3,000 to be recovered
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Breach of Contract
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when one party fails to perform under the requirements of a valid agreement with another party (contracts can be written or verbal)
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State Courts
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decide over 95 percent of the nation’s legal cases and can handle cases which may appeal all the way to the federal court level if a federal issue is involved
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Appeal
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transfer of a case from a lower to a higher level for a new hearing
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Trial Courts
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hear all criminal cases other than minor offenses; can also be called county, district, superior, circuit or common pleas courts
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Appellate Courts
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considered a reviewing court; determine appeals from the decisions of the trial courts
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Conduct of Trial
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consists of opening statements by attorneys, direct and cross-examination of witnesses and closing arguments by attorneys
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Verdict
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jury’s final decision based on all of the facts and evidence presented in the trial
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Federal District Courts
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use juries and witnesses to help determine the outcome of the case; have jurisdiction to hear nearly all categories of federal cases, including both civil and criminal matters
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Jurisdiction
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having control or authority over someone or something
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Civil Case
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dispute between two or more parties consisting of the first party, or plaintiff, accusing the second party, or defendant, of causing injury or damage to the plaintiff; reasonable doubt is not required
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Prejudicial Error
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error of fact considered so incorrect it is determined to be an error of law
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Reverse
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modify a judgment
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Remand
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send the judgment back
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Federal Courts of Appeal
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have nationwide authority in areas including: international trade, government contracts, patents, trademarks, specific money claims against the U.S. government, etc.; consist of 12 courts across the United States
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Affirm
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keep the decision in effect
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Jury
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responsible for deciding what is true in a case; in a criminal case, deciding whether or not the defendant has committed a crime
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Patents
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grant of property right to an inventor
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Trademark
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word, name, symbol or device used by manufacturers or merchants to identify and distinguish their goods from those of others
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Supreme Court highest
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level in the U.S. court system; consists of a Chief Justice and eight associate justices
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Judiciary Branch
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of Government explains and applies laws by hearing legal trials and making rulings on them
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U.S. Constitution
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contains the fundamental laws of the United States
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The Chief Justice
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holds a lifetime position unless he/she makes the decision to step down; is elected by the president of the United States; shares responsibilities with the president
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Justice
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of the Peace judge who handles minor legal issues, such as misdemeanors, small claims, traffic matters, performs marriages, etc.
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Victim
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person against whom a crime has been committed defense attorney
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Defense Attorney
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represents the defendant and ensures the defendant is protected according to the law
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Judge
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officer in charge of the court proceeding; ensures all evidence used in the trial is legal, instructs the jury; typically provides the sentence when a defendant is convicted
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Criminal Case
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law has been broken requiring the state to bring charges against the offender; there must not be any reasonable doubt of guilt
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Acquit
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to be released from criminal charges
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Arraignment
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when the prosecutor offers the defendant a lesser sentence for pleading guilty and not going to trial
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Appeal
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by Right request by either of the parties for a higher court to review a case from a lower court
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Writ of Certiorari
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request made by the appellate court to reexamine the case
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