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Definition
Basic principle of the American system of government which asserts that the people are the
source of any and all government power
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Term
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Definition
Basic principle of American government which states that government is restricted in what it
may do; each individual has rights the government can’t take away
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Term
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Definition
| Laws of basic and lasting importance which may not easily be changed |
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Term
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Definition
A process in which a certain number of qualified voters sign petitions in favor of a proposed
statute or constitutional amendment, which goes to the ballot
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Term
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Definition
| A law passed by the legislature |
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Definition
The authority of each state to act to protect and promote the public health, safety, morals,
and general welfare of its people
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Definition
| The non-legislative power of constitution-making and the constitutional amendment process |
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Term
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Definition
A process by which a legislative measure is referred to the state’s voters for final approval or
rejection
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Definition
A petition procedure by which voters may remove an elected official from office before the
completion of his or her regular term
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Term
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Definition
| A governor may veto one or more items in a bill w/o rejecting the entire measure |
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Term
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Definition
| Mercy or leniency granted to an offender by a chief executive |
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Definition
| Release from the punishment or legal consequences of a crime by the president or governor |
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Term
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Definition
| The power to reduce the length of a sentence or fine for a crime |
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Term
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Definition
| An official postponement of the execution of a sentence |
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Term
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Definition
| The release of a prisoner short of the complete term of the original sentence |
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Term
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Definition
An unwritten law made by a judge that has developed over centuries from those generally
accepted ideas of right and wrong that have gained judicial recognition
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Term
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Definition
| Court decision that stands as an example to be followed in future, similar cases |
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Term
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Definition
| A case in which a defendant is tried for committing a crime as defined by the law |
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Term
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Definition
| A serious crime which may be punished by a heavy fine, imprisonment, or death |
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Definition
| A lesser offense, punishable by a small fine or short jail term |
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Term
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Definition
The portion of the law relating to human conduct, to disputes b/t private parties and
government not covered by criminal law
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Term
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Definition
A body of people selected according to law who hear evidence and decide questions of fact in
a court case
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Term
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Definition
| A formal charge filed by a prosecutor w/o the action of a grand jury |
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Term
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Definition
| A trial in which the judge alone hears the case |
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Term
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Definition
A judge who stands on the lowest level of the state judicial system and presides over justice
courts
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Term
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Definition
| A court order authorizing some official action |
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Term
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Definition
The first step in a major criminal prosecution where the judge decides if the evidence is
enough to hold the person for action by the grand jury or the prosecutor
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Term
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Definition
A justice who handles minor civil complaints and misdemeanor cases that arise in an urban
setting
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Term
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Definition
| The authority of a court to review decisions of inferior courts |
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