1

Initiative

1 

A process in which a certain number of qualified voters sign petitions in favor of a proposed statute or constitutional amendment, which then goes directly to the ballot.

2

Referendum

2

 A process by which a legislative measure

 is referred to the State's voters for final

approval or rejection.

3

Item Veto

3

A governor may veto one or more

items in a bill without rejecting the

entire measure.

4

Pardon

4

Release from the punishment or

legal consequences of a crime, by

the president (in a federal case) or

a governor (in a state case).

5

Commute

5

the power to reduce the length

 of a sentence or fine for

a crime. 

6

Reprieve

6

 An official postponement of the

execution of a sentence.

7

Parole

7

The relaese of a prisoner short

 of the complete term of the

 original sentence.

8

Metropolitan Area

8

A city and the area around it.

9

Sales Tax

9

A tax placed on the sale of various

commodities, paid by the purchaser.

10

Regressive Tax

10

A tax levied at a flat rate,

without regard to the level of

a taxpayer's income or ability

 to pay them.

11

Income Tax

11

A tax levied on the income of

individuals and/or corporations.

12

Progressive Tax

12

A type of tax proportionate to income.

13

Property Tax

13

A tax levied on real and

personal property.

14

Assessment

14

The process of determining the value

 of property to be taxed.

15

Inheritance Tax

15

A tax levied on the beneficiary's

 share of an estate.

16

Estate Tax

16

A levy imposed on the assets

 of one who dies.

17

Common Law

17

An unwritten law made by a judge that

has developed over centuries from those

 generally excepted ideas of right & wrong

that have gained judical recognition.

18

Precedent

18

Court decision that stands as an

example to be followed in future,

 similar cases.

19

Criminal Law

19

The portion of the law that defines public

wrongs and provides for there punishment.

20

Civil Law

20

The portion of the law relating to human

conduct, to disputes between private parties,

 and to disputes between private parties and government not covered by criminal law.

21

Petit Jury

21

The trial jury, that is used in both civil and

criminal cases, it hearts the evidence in a

case and decides the disputed facts.

 *small jury

22

Appellate Jurisdiction

22

The authority of a court to review

decisions of inferior (lower) courts.

23

Felony

23

A serious crime which may be punished

 by a heavy fine and/or imprisonment

 or even death.

24

Misdemeanor

24

A lesser offense, punishable by a small

fine and/or a short jail term.