Terms starting with "C"

Criminal Procedure Criminal procedure is the body of rules governing how the government investigates, charges, prosecutes, and adjudicates alleged crimes. It includes constitutional protections, court rules, and statutes addressing arrest, search, charging, trial, sentencing, and appeals. Crossclaim Crossclaim is a court and legal-process term used to describe cases, court authority, legal procedure, judicial review, opinions, or public legal records. Crossover Crossover is a legislative term used to describe bills, votes, committees, debates, oversight, budgets, or lawmaking procedure. Cruel and Unusual Punishment The prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment is part of the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Courts interpret it in different contexts, including the proportionality of certain punishments, prison conditions, and methods of execution. The legal standard depends on the punishment and the constitutional question presented. Convene To convene is to assemble a legislative body, committee, court, or other group for an official meeting. Congress convenes at the start of a new session under constitutional and chamber rules, and other bodies convene under their governing procedures. Cosponsor A cosponsor is a member of Congress who formally joins another member in supporting a bill or resolution. The original sponsor introduces the measure, while cosponsors add their names to show support. Cosponsorship does not guarantee that a member will vote for the measure at every later stage. Cosponsorship Cosponsorship is a legislative term used to describe bills, votes, committees, debates, oversight, budgets, or lawmaking procedure. Counterclaim Counterclaim is a court and legal-process term used to describe cases, court authority, legal procedure, judicial review, opinions, or public legal records. Court of Appeals A court of appeals is a federal appellate court that reviews district-court and agency decisions for legal error. Criminal Case A criminal case is a proceeding in which the government accuses a person or entity of violating criminal law. The prosecution must prove the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt, and the accused receives constitutional protections such as the right to counsel, the right to confront witnesses, and the right to a fair trial. Controlling Opinion A controlling opinion is the opinion or reasoning that determines the legal rule governing a case. When no single opinion commands a majority, courts may need to identify the narrowest rationale supporting the judgment under the applicable precedent rules. Contempt Contempt is conduct that disobeys or obstructs the lawful authority of a court or legislative body. Contempt may be civil or criminal and may arise from failure to comply with an order, refusal to provide required testimony, or other conduct covered by the applicable law. The consequences depend on the body and the legal process.