American Legal System Overview

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Questions and Answers

Match the following legal concepts with their explanations:

Criminal Code = The portion dealing with criminal law. Dual Court System = Describes the structure of state and federal courts in the U.S. Judicial Review = The power to determine the constitutionality of legislative enactments. Effectiveness = Carrying out justice activities with regard for equity and public safety.

Match the following outcomes with their definitions:

Decisions (courts) = Written opinions of appellate courts with the force of law. Code = A comprehensive set of laws arranged by subject. Dual Federalism = A system where both national and state governments operate. Effectiveness = Proper regard for equity in justice system activities.

Match the following legal entities to their descriptions:

Bureau of Justice Statistics = Agency focused on crime data and analysis. Common Law = Legal system based on judicial decisions. Appellate Court = Court that reviews cases from trial courts. Constitution = Fundamental legal framework of a government.

Match the following legal principles with their impacts:

Due Process = Assures fair treatment in the criminal justice system. Fairness = Equal weight to legally relevant factors in sentencing. Judicial Review = Checks the constitutionality of laws. Efficiency = Improving public safety through resource application. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following branches of law with their functions:

Criminal Law = Regulates conduct deemed harmful to society. Civil Law = Deals with the rights and duties of individuals. Constitutional Law = Concerns the interpretation of the Constitution. Administrative Law = Governs the activities of administrative agencies. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following entities to their functions:

Appellate Court = Rehears cases from lower courts. Congress of the United States = Creates laws and legislation. Bureau of Justice Statistics = Analyzes data on crime. Executive Branch = Enforces laws and policies. Signup and view all the answers

Match the terms related to the criminal justice system with their definitions:

Judiciary = The court system of a country or state; judges taken collectively Legislature = An elected body that has the constitutional authority to make laws Plea Bargain = A negotiated agreement where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser crime SCOTUS = Supreme Court of the United States Signup and view all the answers

Match the concepts of criminal justice with their descriptions:

Juvenile Justice = Designed to deal with lawbreaking by those not old enough for adult system Nonsystem Argument = The components of the criminal justice system are in conflict System = A group of interrelated parts that work together towards common objectives Unconstitutional = Not in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution Signup and view all the answers

Match the legal terms with their meanings:

Penal Code = Statutes that specify crimes and their punishments Procedural Due Process = The idea that the criminal justice system must be fair United States Supreme Court = Highest court in the United States with eight Justices and a Chief Justice Juvenile Justice = Criminal justice elements for those under adult age Signup and view all the answers

Match the following court-related concepts with their implications:

Plea Bargain = May result in a lesser sentence for the defendant Judiciary = Refers to the collective judges and court system Nonsystem Argument = Claims there is no cohesive criminal justice system Legislature = Responsible for creating laws within the Constitution Signup and view all the answers

Match the court terms with their functions:

SCOTUS = Final appellate court in the U.S. Judiciary = Interprets and applies the law through the court system Penal Code = Defines crimes and penalties Unconstitutional = Can be challenged in a court of law Signup and view all the answers

Match the justice concepts with their characteristics:

Juvenile Justice = Focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment Nonsystem Argument = Suggests systemic conflict within the justice components System = Emphasizes cooperation among interrelated components Procedural Due Process = Guarantees fairness in legal proceedings Signup and view all the answers

Match these legal concepts with their potential outcomes:

Plea Bargain = Reduces the burden on judicial resources Judiciary = Determines the outcome of legal disputes Legislature = Enacts and modifies laws United States Supreme Court = Holds ultimate authority on constitutional issues Signup and view all the answers

Match the definitions with the appropriate terms:

Unconstitutional = Not adhering to constitutional guidelines Three Branches of Government = Executive, Legislative, and Judicial System = Components working towards shared objectives Procedural Due Process = Ensures fundamental fairness in law enforcement Signup and view all the answers

Match the terminology with their contexts in law:

SCOTUS = Acts as the highest court in the U.S. Penal Code = Guides law enforcement on crime definitions Legislature = Creates laws through elected representatives Nonsystem Argument = Points out inconsistencies within law enforcement frameworks Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Legal System and Structure

Appellate Court: Rehears cases from trial courts, reviewing previous judicial decisions.
Dual Court System: Features both state and federal courts, reflecting the American governmental framework.
Congress of the United States: Comprises the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate; responsible for legislative authority.
Three Branches of Government: Consist of executive, legislative, and judicial branches as defined by the Constitution.

Legal Framework and Principles

Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS): Collects and disseminates information on crime, offenders, victims, and justice systems.
Code: Comprehensive law collections organized by subject.
Common Law: Originating in England, focuses on judicial decisions and precedents, used in the U.S.
Constitution: Fundamental principles governing a nation or state, establishing legal frameworks.
Criminal Code: Governs criminal law within the United States Code or state codes.
Penal Code: A set of laws defining crimes and punishments, representing substantive criminal law.

Judicial Processes

Decisions (courts): Written opinions from appellate courts, binding in common law jurisdictions.
Judicial Review: Enables the Supreme Court to assess the constitutionality of legislative actions.
Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure: Regulatory framework overseeing federal criminal prosecutions.

Individual Rights and Legal Protections

Due Process: Guarantees fair treatment in the criminal justice system for defendants.
Procedural Due Process: Ensures fundamental fairness in legal proceedings for individuals.
Infancy Defense: Doctrine that children are incapable of wrongdoing, exempting them from prosecution.

Government and Justice Efficiency

Executive Branch: Manages public affairs and enforces laws and policies.
Effectiveness: Involves equitable justice and adherence to constitutional rights for offenders.
Efficiency: Utilizes resources economically to meet legal goals and enhance public safety.

Justice System Dynamics

Fairness: Advocates for equal treatment of offenders and equitable consideration in sentencing.
Nonsystem Argument: Suggests conflict and disorganization within the criminal justice system, indicating a lack of cohesion.
Juvenile Justice: Specialized components within the justice system addressing offenses by minors.

Legal Negotiations and Agreements

Plea Bargain: A deal where the defendant admits guilt to a lesser charge or sentence than potentially pursued at trial.
Hierarchical Structure: Organizational model in which elements are ranked based on authority or importance.

Supreme Court Overview

SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States): The highest judicial authority, consisting of eight Justices and one Chief Justice.
Unconstitutional: Identifies laws or actions that violate constitutional provisions.

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