Criminal Law

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. incarcerate
    lock up or confine, in or as in a jail
    Persons convicted of a crime may be incarcerated, fined, or both.
  2. criminal law
    the body of law dealing with offenses and their punishment
    criminal law: an overview
    Criminal law involves prosecution by the government of a person for an act that has been classified as a crime.
  3. state boundary
    the boundary between two states
    Recently, the list of Federal crimes dealing with activities extending beyond state boundaries or having special impact on federal operations, has grown.
  4. appellate court
    a court whose jurisdiction is to review decisions of lower courts or agencies
    Criminal law also includes decisions by appellate courts that define crimes and regulate criminal procedure in the absence of clear legislated rules.
  5. crime
    an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
    criminal law: an overview
    Criminal law involves prosecution by the government of a person for an act that has been classified as a crime.
  6. misdemeanor
    a crime less serious than a felony
    Crimes include both felonies (more serious offenses -- like murder or rape) and misdemeanors (less serious offenses -- like petty theft or jaywalking).
  7. criminal
    someone who has committed a punishable act
    criminal law: an overview
    Criminal law involves prosecution by the government of a person for an act that has been classified as a crime.
  8. penal code
    the legal code governing crimes and their punishment
    There is, however, a Model Penal Code (MPC) which serves as a good starting place to gain an understanding of the basic structure of criminal liability.
  9. public law
    a law affecting the public at large
    A "crime" is any act or omission (of an act) in violation of a public law forbidding or commanding it.
  10. felony
    a serious crime, such as murder or arson
    Crimes include both felonies (more serious offenses -- like murder or rape) and misdemeanors (less serious offenses -- like petty theft or jaywalking).
  11. appellate
    relating to challenges to a legal decision
    Criminal law also includes decisions by appellate courts that define crimes and regulate criminal procedure in the absence of clear legislated rules.
  12. common law
    a law established by following earlier judicial decisions
    Though there are some common law crimes, most crimes in the United States are established by local, state, and federal governments.
  13. mental state
    (psychology) a mental condition in which the qualities of a state are relatively constant even though the state itself may be dynamic
    Most crimes (with the exception of strict-liability crimes) consist of two elements: an act, or "actus reus," and a mental state, or "mens rea".
  14. prosecutor
    an official conducting criminal cases on behalf of the state
    In a criminal case, the state, through a prosecutor, initiates the suit, while in a civil case the victim brings the suit.
  15. liability
    the state of being legally obliged and responsible
    There is, however, a Model Penal Code (MPC) which serves as a good starting place to gain an understanding of the basic structure of criminal liability.
  16. legislate
    make laws or bills
    Criminal law also includes decisions by appellate courts that define crimes and regulate criminal procedure in the absence of clear legislated rules.
  17. imprisonment
    the act of confining someone in a prison
    Felonies are usually crimes punishable by imprisonment of a year or more, while misdemeanors are crimes punishable by less than a year.
  18. overview
    a general summary of a subject
    criminal law: an overview
    Criminal law involves prosecution by the government of a person for an act that has been classified as a crime.
  19. civil
    of or occurring between or among citizens of the state
    Civil cases, on the other hand, involve individuals and organizations seeking to resolve legal disputes.
  20. preponderance
    exceeding in heaviness; having greater weight
    In civil cases, the plaintiff needs to show a defendant is liable only by a "preponderance of the evidence," or more than 50%.
  21. defendant
    someone against whom an action is brought in a court of law
    In civil cases, the plaintiff needs to show a defendant is liable only by a "preponderance of the evidence," or more than 50%.
  22. initiate
    set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for
    In a criminal case, the state, through a prosecutor, initiates the suit, while in a civil case the victim brings the suit.
  23. prosecution
    legal proceedings against a defendant for criminal behavior
    criminal law: an overview
    Criminal law involves prosecution by the government of a person for an act that has been classified as a crime.
  24. financially
    from a financial point of view
    For example, civil law makes you financially responsible for a car accident you caused but didn't intend.
  25. plaintiff
    a person who brings an action in a court of law
    In civil cases, the plaintiff needs to show a defendant is liable only by a "preponderance of the evidence," or more than 50%.
  26. statute
    an act passed by a legislative body
    However, no act is a crime if it has not been previously established as such either by statute or common law.
  27. element
    a substance that cannot be separated into simpler substances
    All statutes describing criminal behavior can be broken down into their various elements.
  28. regulate
    bring into conformity with rules, principles, or usage
    Criminal law also includes decisions by appellate courts that define crimes and regulate criminal procedure in the absence of clear legislated rules.
  29. federal government
    a government with strong central powers
    Though there are some common law crimes, most crimes in the United States are established by local, state, and federal governments.
  30. theft
    the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
    Crimes include both felonies (more serious offenses -- like murder or rape) and misdemeanors (less serious offenses -- like petty theft or jaywalking).
  31. responsible
    worthy of or requiring trust; held accountable
    In order to be found guilty of a criminal law, the prosecution must show that the defendant intended to act as he did; in civil law, you may sometimes be responsible for your actions even though you did not intend the consequences.
  32. legislator
    someone who makes or enacts laws
    Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
    Laws written by Congress and state legislators that make certain behavior illegal and punishable by fines and/or imprisonment.
  33. federal
    of a government with central and regional authorities
    Though there are some common law crimes, most crimes in the United States are established by local, state, and federal governments.
  34. furthermore
    in addition
    Furthermore, the prosecutor must persuade the jury or judge "beyond a reasonable doubt" of every fact necessary to constitute the crime charged.
  35. define
    show the form or outline of
    Criminal law also includes decisions by appellate courts that define crimes and regulate criminal procedure in the absence of clear legislated rules.
  36. illegal
    prohibited by law or by official or accepted rules
    Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
    Laws written by Congress and state legislators that make certain behavior illegal and punishable by fines and/or imprisonment.
  37. impact
    the striking of one body against another
    Recently, the list of Federal crimes dealing with activities extending beyond state boundaries or having special impact on federal operations, has grown.
  38. violation
    an act that disregards an agreement or a right
    A "crime" is any act or omission (of an act) in violation of a public law forbidding or commanding it.
  39. procedure
    a particular course of action intended to achieve a result
    Criminal law also includes decisions by appellate courts that define crimes and regulate criminal procedure in the absence of clear legislated rules.
  40. resolve
    find a solution or answer
    Civil cases, on the other hand, involve individuals and organizations seeking to resolve legal disputes.
  41. established
    brought about or set up or accepted
    Though there are some common law crimes, most crimes in the United States are established by local, state, and federal governments.
  42. constitute
    form or compose
    Furthermore, the prosecutor must persuade the jury or judge "beyond a reasonable doubt" of every fact necessary to constitute the crime charged.
  43. persuade
    cause somebody to adopt a certain position or belief
    Furthermore, the prosecutor must persuade the jury or judge "beyond a reasonable doubt" of every fact necessary to constitute the crime charged.
  44. code
    a set of rules or principles or laws
    There is, however, a Model Penal Code (MPC) which serves as a good starting place to gain an understanding of the basic structure of criminal liability.
  45. establish
    set up or found
    Though there are some common law crimes, most crimes in the United States are established by local, state, and federal governments.
  46. jury
    a body of citizens sworn to give a verdict in a court of law
    Furthermore, the prosecutor must persuade the jury or judge "beyond a reasonable doubt" of every fact necessary to constitute the crime charged.
  47. dispute
    the act of coming into conflict
    Civil cases, on the other hand, involve individuals and organizations seeking to resolve legal disputes.
  48. structure
    a complex entity made of many parts
    There is, however, a Model Penal Code (MPC) which serves as a good starting place to gain an understanding of the basic structure of criminal liability.
  49. Federal
    being of or having to do with the northern United States and those loyal to the Union during the American Civil War
    Recently, the list of Federal crimes dealing with activities extending beyond state boundaries or having special impact on federal operations, has grown.
  50. contrast
    the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
    By contrast, civil laws are not punishable by imprisonment.
  51. conviction
    an unshakable belief in something without need for proof
    Prosecutors have to prove each and every element of the crime to yield a conviction.
  52. accident
    an unfortunate mishap
    For example, civil law makes you financially responsible for a car accident you caused but didn't intend.
  53. absence
    the state of being not present
    Criminal law also includes decisions by appellate courts that define crimes and regulate criminal procedure in the absence of clear legislated rules.
  54. organization
    a methodical and orderly manner or approach
    Civil cases, on the other hand, involve individuals and organizations seeking to resolve legal disputes.
  55. victim
    an unfortunate person who suffers from adverse circumstances
    In a criminal case, the state, through a prosecutor, initiates the suit, while in a civil case the victim brings the suit.
  56. yield
    give or supply
    Prosecutors have to prove each and every element of the crime to yield a conviction.
  57. consist
    have its essential character
    Most crimes (with the exception of strict-liability crimes) consist of two elements: an act, or "actus reus," and a mental state, or "mens rea".
  58. title
    the name of a work of art or literary composition
    See Title 18.
  59. murder
    unlawful premeditated killing of a human being
    Crimes include both felonies (more serious offenses -- like murder or rape) and misdemeanors (less serious offenses -- like petty theft or jaywalking).
  60. extend
    stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope
    Recently, the list of Federal crimes dealing with activities extending beyond state boundaries or having special impact on federal operations, has grown.
  61. consequence
    a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
    In order to be found guilty of a criminal law, the prosecution must show that the defendant intended to act as he did; in civil law, you may sometimes be responsible for your actions even though you did not intend the consequences.
  62. operation
    process or manner of functioning
    Recently, the list of Federal crimes dealing with activities extending beyond state boundaries or having special impact on federal operations, has grown.
  63. evidence
    knowledge on which to base belief
    In civil cases, the plaintiff needs to show a defendant is liable only by a "preponderance of the evidence," or more than 50%.
  64. government
    the system or form by which a community is ruled
    criminal law: an overview
    Criminal law involves prosecution by the government of a person for an act that has been classified as a crime.
  65. Congress
    the legislature of the United States government
    Definition from Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary
    Laws written by Congress and state legislators that make certain behavior illegal and punishable by fines and/or imprisonment.
  66. property
    something owned
    However, persons found liable in a civil case may only have to give up property or pay money, but are not incarcerated.
  67. court
    an assembly to conduct judicial business
    Criminal law also includes decisions by appellate courts that define crimes and regulate criminal procedure in the absence of clear legislated rules.
Created on Tue Feb 22 14:45:44 EST 2011

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