Write a sentence that shows understanding for each assigned term

Write a higher order thinking question

criminal Law

System of law that punishes acts that harm property, individuals, or the public welfare

civil Law

System of law concerned with private relations between citizens, communities, or businesses.

precedent

Basing current decisions on previous, similar court decisions

special interest groups

group of people who share common interests that work together to encourage Congress to pass laws favorable to their positions

mass media

Forms of communication that disseminate infomration to a large audience, such as television, radio, or the internet

political Action Committee (PAC)

Part of a special interest group that raising money to promote the agenda of the special interest group

public opinion

Views prevalant among the general public, usually measured by the use of polling

lobbyist

Person who works for a special interest group to influence laws

jurisdiction

The authority to hear and decide cases

tort

The act of suing a party (person/business/gov't) for wrongful, noncriminal misconduct

statutory law

Written laws by a legislative branch (any level of government)

administrative law

Laws passed by Executive Agencies or Regulatory Commissions to carry out the enforcement of laws by the Executive branch and the Federal bureaucracy

regulatory commissions (enforcing administrative laws, ex. FDA, FCC, FTC)

Parts of the Federal bureaucracy tasked with writing and carrying out laws

Constitutional law

Laws that deal with questions about the Constitution and interpretation

English Common Law

Setting of precedent for future cases, basis of the US legal system