Legal Terms

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Criminal Laws

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Laws related to crimes and their punishments.

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Civil Laws

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Laws dealing with the rights and duties of individuals among themselves.

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Felony

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A serious crime, typically one involving violence, regarded as more serious than a misdemeanor.

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Misdemeanor

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A minor wrongdoing or crime, less serious than a felony.

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Defendant

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An individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law.

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Plaintiff

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A person who brings a case against another in a court of law.

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Prosecutor

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A legal representative who presents the case against an individual in a criminal trial.

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Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

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The standard of evidence required to validate a criminal conviction in most courts.

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Preponderance of Evidence

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The standard of proof in civil trials, where the evidence must show that something is more likely true than not.