set of principles first devloped centuries ago in British court in efforts to establish a uniform code of fairness for situations in which no statutory law applied. Criminal Law: The body of law that pertains to the trial of suspected criminals. For instance, the trial of a suspected murder would would take place under criminal law. Defendent: The person who is accused f a crime; or the person who is sued by the plantiff in a civil action case. Grand Jury: A group of citizens who determin if there is enough evidence to send a given person to trial. Inquisitorial System: A system of criminal law where the judge acts as a representative of the state, seeking information from the person or persons accused of a crime in an affort to determin guilt or innocence.Judicial Activism: The principle that holds that the judges should follow there own values in deciding a case. This system also believes that one of the court's jobs is to look out for those miniorities who appear voiceless. Judicial Restraint: The principle that says the judicial branch has no business making law and courts should be reluctant to overturn laws or statutes by the other two branches of government.Judicial Review: The belief that the courts have the duty and the right to "review" the constitutionality of any law (that they feel is of dubious constitutionality). Justice: The quality of being righteous, fair, and deserved. Missouri Plan: An approach to selecting judges; adopted by Missouri in 1940, the plan allows the governor to select judges from a list of candidates compiled by a nominating commission made up of legal experts and citizens.Natural Law: A moral or ethical standard grounded in some concept of nature or divinity.Plaintiff: The person or persons who bring a legal action against another person for damages; the "complaining party". Positive Law: Laws made by governments; normally contrasted with "natural" law. Statutory Interpretation: The process of...
