The Federal Courts Chapter 13

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the branch of law that regulates the conduct of individuals, defines crimes, and specifies punishment for proscribed conduct.

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criminal law

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the branch of law that deals with disputes that do not involve criminal penalties

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civil law

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the individual or organization that brings a complaint to court

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plaintiff

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the one against whom a complaint is brought in a criminal or civil case

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defendant

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a prior case whose principles are used by judges as a basis for their decision in a present case

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precedent

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the first court to hear a criminal or civil case

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trial court

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a court that hears appeals of trial court decisions

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court of appeals

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a negotiated agreement in a criminal case in which a defendant agrees to plead guilty in return for the state's agreement to reduce the severitty of the criminal charge or prison sentence the defendant is facing

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plea bargain

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the sphere of a court's power and authority

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jurisdiction

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the authority to initially consider a case; distinguished from appellate jurisdiction, which is the authority to hear appeals from a lower court's decision

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original jurisdiction