American legal system

10 important questions on American legal system



the government, or any other authority, regarded as the legal protector of citizens unable to protect themselves.



  • the principle that political authority carries with it the responsibility for protection of citizens

Parens Patriae

A court particularly disputes concerning the exercise of public power. Their role is to ascertain that official acts are consistent with the law. Such courts are considered separate from general courts.

Administrative Courts

A court that has jurisdiction to try and punish offenders against criminal law.

Criminal Court
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A court dealing with noncriminal cases.

Civil Court

An arrangement between a prosecutor and a defendant whereby the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in the expectation of leniency.

Plea Bargain

A jury, normally of twenty-three jurors, selected to examine the validity of an accusation before trial.

Grand Jury

In the law of the United States, ______  is a form of subject-matterjurisdiction in civil procedure in which a United States district court in the federal judiciary has the power to hear a civil case where the persons that are parties are "diverse" in citizenship, which generally indicates that they are citizens of different states or non-U.S. citizens.

Diversity Action

is the highest court in the U.S. state of New York and consists of seven judges: the Chief Judge and six associate judges who are appointed by the Governor to 14-year terms.

NYS Court of Appeals

The standard that must be met by the prosecution's evidence in a criminal prosecution: that no other logical explanation can be derived from the facts except that the defendant committed the crime, thereby overcoming the presumption that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

______ means that the party must present evidence that leaves you with a firm belief or conviction that it is highly probable that the factual contentions of the claim or defense are true.

Clear and Convincing

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