PSCI 2306 Final UNT Questions with Verified
Correct Answers
criminal law
regulates conduct of individuals, defines crimes, and specifies punishment for proscribed
conduct
plaintiff
person who brings a complaint in court
defendant
person who the charge is against
civil law
deals with disputes that do not involve criminal penalties (relationships, obligations, and
responsibility)
precedent
prior case who's principles are used by judges as the basis for their decision in a present case
stare decisis
"let the decision stand"
previous decision by a court applies as a precedent in similar cases until that decision is
overruled
trial court
first court to hear a criminal or civil case
court of appeals
, court that hears appeals of trial court decisions
supreme court
highest court in US; serves as appellate function
plea bargain
negotiated agreement in a criminal case where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in return
for a less severe sentence
jurisdiction
sphere of a court's power and authority
original jurisdiction
authority to initially consider a case
appellate jurisdiction
authority to hear appeals from a lower court's decision
due process of law
the right of every individual against arbitrary action by national or state governments
writ of habeas corpus
the person in custody be brought into court and shown the cause of detention (wrongful
imprisonment)
chief justice
justice on the Supreme Court who presides over the court's public sessions
senatorial courtesy
Correct Answers
criminal law
regulates conduct of individuals, defines crimes, and specifies punishment for proscribed
conduct
plaintiff
person who brings a complaint in court
defendant
person who the charge is against
civil law
deals with disputes that do not involve criminal penalties (relationships, obligations, and
responsibility)
precedent
prior case who's principles are used by judges as the basis for their decision in a present case
stare decisis
"let the decision stand"
previous decision by a court applies as a precedent in similar cases until that decision is
overruled
trial court
first court to hear a criminal or civil case
court of appeals
, court that hears appeals of trial court decisions
supreme court
highest court in US; serves as appellate function
plea bargain
negotiated agreement in a criminal case where the defendant agrees to plead guilty in return
for a less severe sentence
jurisdiction
sphere of a court's power and authority
original jurisdiction
authority to initially consider a case
appellate jurisdiction
authority to hear appeals from a lower court's decision
due process of law
the right of every individual against arbitrary action by national or state governments
writ of habeas corpus
the person in custody be brought into court and shown the cause of detention (wrongful
imprisonment)
chief justice
justice on the Supreme Court who presides over the court's public sessions
senatorial courtesy
