Virginia Judicial System
Vocab
 Jurisdiction- The official power to make binding legal decisions and judgements.
 Appeal – Apply to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court.
 Appellate Court – A court that hears appeals from already-tried cases.
 Felony – A serious criminal offense, often involving violence and punishable by jail
time.
 Misdemeanor – A minor wrongdoing, such as a speeding ticket
 Jury – A panel of people selected from the general population to hear a case.
 Verdict – The decision of the jury.
 Civil Suit – A case involving only financial damages. No one will go to jail, but fines
must be paid.
 Bailiff – An official in a court of law who keeps order and looks after prisoners in
criminal trials