[From Latin suffragium = voting tablet, vote.] The right and privilege of all adults to vote for their representatives. Also see suffrage.

Knowledge of a defamatory statement's falsity or a reckless disregard for the truth.

A federal, state, or local government unit established to perform a specific function. Such an agency is created and authorized by a legislative body to administer and enforce specific law(s).

A term in the U.S. Constitution that describes the U.S. Senate's power to review and approve treaties and presidential appointments.

Declare that a court ruling is valid; make a formal judicial declaration, but not under oath.

A policy in job hiring or educational admissions that gives special compensatory treatment or other attention to traditionally disadvantaged groups (in an effort to reduce the present effects of past [..]

A court having jurisdiction to review cases and issues that were originally tried in lower courts.

Passage by Congress of a spending bill specifying the amount of authorized funds that will be allocated for an agency's use.

[From Greek aristos = best and krateein = to rule.] Rule by an upper class, which claims that it is 'best'. Compare with theocracy.

The first act in a criminal proceeding: the defendant is brought before a court to hear the charges against him or her and to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.