Allen charges (also referred to as dynamite, nitroglycerin, shotgun, or third-degree charges) refer to jury instructions given to a hung jury urging them to agree on a verdict. Allen charges are controversial as some claim they overly...
the Constitution
amend
To amend is to make a change by adding, subtracting, or substituting. For example, one can amend a statute, a contract, the United States Constitution, or a pleading filed in a lawsuit. Generally, procedures dictate the way in which one...
American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is an organization founded in 1920, with the mission of defending and preserving the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in the U.S. Constitution. The ACLU currently has more than...
American Indian law
American Indian Law: An Overview
In U.S. law the term "Indians" refers generally to the indigenous peoples of the North American continent at the time of European colonization. "Alaska Natives" and "Native Hawaiians" refer to peoples who are...
amicus
Amicus typically relates to the phrase amicus curiae (plural: amici curiae) which means “friend of the court.” Amicus is an individual or organization that is not a party to an action but who volunteers or is court-invited to advise on a matter...
amicus curiae
Amicus Curiae literally translated from Latin is "friend of the court." Plural is "amici curiae."
Generally, it is referencing a person or group who is not a party to an action, but has a strong interest in the matter....
anticipatory warrant
An anticipatory search warrant is a warrant that is based on an affidavit that shows probable cause that evidence of a particular crime (such as forged checks) will be at a specified location at some time (however not presently) in the future...
Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA)
Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA) was passed by the 107th Congress “to deter terrorism, provide justice for victims, provide for an effective death penalty, and for other purposes.” To accomplish this goal, some of...
arbitrary
1. When used in reference to a judge’s ruling in a court case, arbitrary means based on individual discretion rather than a fair application of the law. For example, finding someone guilty of a crime simply because they have a beard would be an...
Arizona v. United States (2012)
The Supreme Court case which held sections 3, 5(C), and 6 of Arizona’s Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act (S.B. 1070) were preempted by federal law, but that section 2(B) must be allowed to be construed in practice before...