Legal Terminology Quiz

Legal Terminology

• Preliminary Hearing: A court proceeding to determine if a petition for formal court action should be authorized.
• Fraud: Intentional deception for financial or personal gain.
• Misdemeanor: A minor crime.
• Felony: A serious crime punishable by imprisonment of at least one year or death.
• Civil Action: A non-criminal lawsuit to enforce a right or address a wrong.
• Plaintiff: The person bringing a lawsuit.
• Defendant: The individual or group being sued.
• Prosecutor: The government attorney in a criminal case.
• Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: The high standard of proof required for a criminal conviction.
• Preponderance of Evidence: The standard of proof in a civil case, favoring the party with stronger evidence.
• Mediation: A dispute resolution method using a neutral third party to help parties reach a settlement.
• Plea Bargain: An agreement where a defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge to avoid a more serious trial.
• Voir Dire: The process of questioning potential jurors to determine their suitability.
• Habeas Corpus: A court order to produce an arrested person for a hearing.
• Incarceration: Imprisonment.
• Implied Consent: Treatment given to an incapacitated patient under the assumption of consent.
• DUI: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Restitution: Restoration of lost or stolen property to its rightful owner.
• Accomplice: A partner in a crime.
• Accessory Before the Fact: Someone who encourages, orders, or plans a crime.
• Accessory After the Fact: Someone who helps conceal a crime or criminal.
• Solicitation: Encouraging or urging someone to commit a crime.
• Conspiracy: A secret plan by a group to commit a crime.
• Statutory Rape: Sexual intercourse with a minor.
• First-Degree Murder: Premeditated, deliberate killing with malice.
• Felony Murder: Killing during the commission of a felony, regardless of intent.
• Second-Degree Murder: Killing with malice but without premeditation.
• Voluntary Manslaughter: Killing with intent but without malice.
• Involuntary Manslaughter: Killing without intent.
• Negligent Homicide: Causing death through criminal negligence.
• Assault: Threat or attempt to harm.
• Battery: Unlawful touching without consent.
• Arson: Deliberately setting fire to property.
• Disposition: Mental state or attitude.
• Perjury: Lying under oath.
• Shoplifting: Stealing goods from a store.
• Embezzlement: Fraudulent appropriation of entrusted funds or property.
• Robbery: Unlawful taking of property by force or threat.
• Extortion: Obtaining something through force or threat.
• Burglary: Unlawful entry with intent to commit a felony or steal.
• Forgery: Fraudulently altering a document to change legal rights/liabilities.
• Entrapment: An excuse for committing a crime due to police trickery.
• Arrest: Taking into custody.
• Probable Cause: Reasonable grounds for an arrest or search warrant.
• Affidavit: A sworn written statement.
• Contraband: Illegally trafficked or smuggled goods.
• Interrogation: Questioning.
• Miranda Warnings: Rights advisement to suspects before questioning.
• Arraignment: A formal court appearance where charges are read.
• Personal Recognizance: Release from custody based on a promise to appear.
• Indictment: A formal accusation of a crime.
• Deterrence: Preventing crime through the threat of punishment.
• Pretrial Motion: A request to the court before a trial.
• Plea Bargaining: Agreement to plead guilty to a lesser charge for reduced prosecution.
• Subpoena: Court order requiring appearance or testimony.
• Double Jeopardy: Being tried twice for the same crime.
• Rehabilitation: Programs to reform offenders.
• Parole: Conditional release from prison.
• Capital Punishment: Death penalty.
• Aggravating Circumstances: Factors that justify a harsher sentence.
• Mitigating Circumstances: Factors that justify a lighter sentence.
• Status Offenders: Juveniles committing acts that are not crimes for adults.
• Neglected Children: Children lacking social connections.
• Juvenile Waiver: Transferring a juvenile to adult court.
• Statutory Exclusion: Requiring certain juvenile offenses to be prosecuted in adult court.
• Restorative Justice: Repairing harm caused by crime.
• Aftercare: Supervision after release from juvenile detention.