Civic Process and Law Basics
Learn a few terms that appear often in public life and news.
bill
a proposed law before it is passed
statute
a law passed by a legislature
ordinance
a law passed by a local government
amendment
a formal change to a constitution or law
suffrage
the right to vote
election
the process of choosing leaders or deciding issues
referendum
a direct public vote on a specific proposal
litigation
the process of resolving disputes through the courts
plaintiff
the party bringing a civil lawsuit
defendant
the person or entity accused or sued
jury
citizens chosen to decide facts in a case
civil case
a legal dispute between people or organizations
criminal case
a case in which the government accuses someone of a crime
due process
the government must follow fair legal procedures
precedent
an earlier decision used to guide later similar cases
jurisdiction
a court's authority to hear a case
appeal
a request for a higher court to review a decision
constitution
the foundational law that sets up a system of government