WarningThis glossary is (obviously) incomplete, and it always will be.
A
B
C
- concurring opinion
- an opinion where the justice writing the opinion agrees at least partially with the Court’s conclusion and opinion, but may add more and/or disagree partially.
D
- dispositive fact
- a fact that clearly settles an issue/case.
- dissenting opinion
- an opinion where the justice writing the opinion disagrees with the Court’s conclusion in a case.
E
- exclusionary rule
- rule that courts must dismiss evidence collected in ways that violated the defendant’s right.
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
- mens rea
- intention to commit a crime.
- understanding that someone’s action or inaction would cause a crime to be committed.
- “guilty mind”.
N
O
- opinion
- an analysis of a case and an explanation of why the Court reached the conclusion it did.
P
- procedural law
- a law that lays out rules for procedures in court cases and the justice system.
- procedural right
- a right applied during court cases and for other procedures in the justice system.
Q
R
S
- stare decisis
- the principle of following precedent.
- “to stand by things decided”.
- substantive law
- a law that governs behavior.
- substantive right
- a right based on natural law and on laws that govern behavior.
T
- trustee
- a person or other entity that administers property or an estate on behalf of another.